Safety
Staying safe is all about taking care to avoid accidents
We should all take care of our own, and others’, safety. There are hazards to avoid and we must be prepared to cope if something happens. Safety is all about what we do; it is about the way that we behave.
Accidents can happen when there is a hazard and we do not take care. Sometimes we create our own hazards, like leaving a bag where someone may trip over it or not doing a gate up properly.
Essential online training (free to British Rowing members)
Take a look at the Safety Basics online training module within RowHow; it will help you to think about safety in a structured way.
Please also see the Advanced Risk Assessment module which shows you how to produce a Risk Assessment.
Essential downloads for clubs
Completed Risk Management Plan example
Completed Risk Assessment example
Guidance for rowers and canoeists on shared water
Essential downloads for competitions
Completed Risk Assessment example
Collision Avoidance
Collision avoidance
Collisions are too common and can cause serious injuries. Help to avoid collisions by keeping a good lookout and making yourself easy to see. Look at the short video on Collision Avoidance.
Incident reporting
If you are involved in an incident or even if you just see one then please report it using the Incident Reporting system. This helps us to understand what is happening so that we can provide appropriate advice.
Safety alerts
From time to time Safety Alerts are issued to Club Rowing Safety Advisers (CRSAs) to let them know about important safety issues. There is an archive of Safety Alerts and an archive of safety articles originally published in Rowing and Regatta magazine.
You can find further guidance in RowSafe. If you have any questions talk to your Club Rowing Safety Adviser. If you need further advice then contact your Regional Rowing Safety Adviser, or contact the Honorary Rowing Safety Adviser: safety@britishrowing.org.
Key safety pages
Report a Concern
How to report a concern about safeguarding, safety or an anti-doping violation, or submit a grievance about British Rowing
RowSafe
RowSafe provides safety advice to rowers, clubs, competitions and anyone else who takes part in rowing
Rowing Safety Contacts
A list of all national and regional Rowing Safety Advisers
Safety Alerts
Official Safety Alerts issued by British Rowing
HRSA Monthly Report Archive
Monthly reports from British Rowing's Honorary Rowing Safety Advisor (HRSA)
Safety Articles
These articles provide an in-depth look at various aspects of rowing safety
Club Safety Audit
The Club Safety Audit is a recognised part of each club’s affiliation and is annually launched in October for online submission.
Guidelines on Major Incidents
Guidelines for competitions on responding to major incidents, and for clubs and competitions on dealing with the aftermath of a serious incident
Tideway Navigation
This Port of London Authority (PLA) video is designed to help crews safely navigate the upper tidal Thames between Putney and Teddington
Stay Away from Weirs and Sluices
Weirs, locks and sluices can be very dangerous - once trapped in them it can become impossible to escape
Further Safety Guidance
Additional guidance on safety-related topics
Remember to take care and be safe!