Health and Safety

WAKEFIELD METROPOLITAN ANGLING CLUB

Health and Safety and Risk Assessment Policy – 2013

1. All Club members have a duty of care for themselves, other Club members and    any other persons who may be present at the Club’s fisheries. They should consider the effects of their activities and maintain a high level of safety awareness for themselves, for others and for the environment whilst fishing or undertaking voluntary maintenance work on the Club’s fisheries.

2. Members must use only the authorised safe means of access and car parking at each of the Club’s fisheries. Particular care should be exercised when using all stiles, gates. bridges and fishing pegs or platforms. Members should assess all such facilities prior to use, as their safe use might change with the presence of  livestock, with general wear and tear or with bank erosion following flood conditions. If in so doing, a member judges that the facilities have become unsafe to use, he should immediately report the details to the Club’s Secretary or in his absence, to any other of the Club’s officials.

3. Special care should be taken when accompanying children or persons with a disability. 

4.  Members should take particular care with back casts and should be aware of any   overhead power cables, noting that direct contact with them is not required for   conduction; current can easily arc up to one metre. 

5. Contact with open water where rats, mink or other carrier species exist, presents a potential risk of leptospirosis (Weils Disease). Any open cuts or grazes should be covered with waterproof dressings. Care should also be taken to avoid any possibility of ingestion.

6. Particular care should be taken when wading in any of the Club’s river fisheries.   The use of a wading staff and if wearing chest waders, a wading belt, is highly   recommended together with suitably soled wading boots. The use of an inflatable    flotation device is also recommended, especially when wading in deeper water.

7 .Members are advised to carry a mobile telephone, especially when fishing alone, so that assistance can be called in the event of emergency or accident.

8. Members who take part in any voluntary work parties should wear suitable    protective clothing/footwear. Particular care should be taken when using sharp tools and if power tools are used, suitable safety footwear, eye protection and ear  defenders must be worn.

Coronavirus Advice from the Angling Trust.

All members are advised to read the Coronavirus advice given by The Angling Trust on https://www.getfishing.org.uk/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-angling-events-competitions/