SOCIETY HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY
It is the policy of Godalming Angling Society to comply with the terms of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and subsequent legislation, and to provide and maintain a healthy and safe environment.
Godalming Angling Society’s health and safety objective is to minimize the number of instances of accidents and illnesses and ultimately to achieve an accident-free environment.
All Members will be provided with such equipment, information, training and supervision as is necessary to implement the policy and achieve the stated objective.
While Godalming Angling Society will do all that is within its powers to ensure the health and safety of its members, it must be recognised that health and safety is the responsibility of each and every individual associated with the Society.
Godalming Angling Society will provide every member with the training necessary to carry out any work tasks safely. However, if a member is unsure how to perform a certain task or feels it would be dangerous to perform a specific job then it is the member’s duty to report this to the Society’s approved Supervisor.
An effective health and safety program requires continuous communication between all members of the Society. It is therefore every member’s responsibility to report immediately any situation which could jeopardize the wellbeing of themselves or any other person.
All members, ticket holders and visitors; either fishing, working or visiting Society waters and property, do so entirely at their own risk.
All injuries, however small, sustained by a person on Society waters must be reported to the Hon. Secretary. Accident records are crucial to the effective monitoring and revision of the policy and must therefore be accurate and comprehensive.
Godalming Angling Society’s health and safety policy will be continually monitored and updated, particularly when changes in the scale and nature of our operations occur.
The specific arrangements for the implementations of the policy and the personnel responsible are documented and will be made available where required.
For and on behalf of Godalming Angling Society.
SAFETY GUIDELINES
FOR GODALMING ANGLING SOCIETY MEMBERS
- Members attending work parties will only undertake tasks directed by the work party co-ordinator after sufficient information, instruction or training has been provided. Any member who is unable to perform a task safely due to health condition or inexperience should bring this to the attention of the work party co-ordinator.
- Members should take due care and attention when entering or leaving Society waters by vehicle. Speed limits must be observed and consideration given to parking safely.
- Whilst fishing on Society waters members must avoid fishing in close proximity to overhead power lines.
- Members with serious health concerns should give due consideration to whether it is appropriate to fish alone. It is strongly recommended that either a buddy system is operated with another member or a check-in method is adopted with an appropriate person who is able to raise the alarm if required.
- Members should consider their physical capabilities before deciding to enter the water to bait-up, cast or land fish. Members should take care to ensure that they are able to enter or exit the water safely and un-aided. Be aware that there may be hidden dangers below the water’s surface e.g. deep silt or trip hazards such as tree roots or simply a strong river current. There are 250 deaths by drowning on inland waters in the UK each year - 39% of these are anglers.
- Weils Disease and Algae blooms are a potential threat to the health of all members. Washing hands prior to eating is recommended and open wounds or cuts should be covered at all times.
- A healthy respect for wildlife is of paramount importance - keep your distance.
- A tidy swim is a safe swim – respect access for other members and take your rubbish home.
- Take due care when fishing in bad weather, particularly near trees in extreme conditions and strong winds.
