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Halifax Canoe Club |
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Competition NEW!
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Shorts Night - A moral on Health & Safety for All I thought I would share with you what the Thursday evening crew got up to last month and how I see it fitting with the HXCC Health & Safety routines. We were getting bored with the low water levels and as the new Health & Safety Officer I suggested that we did a shorts only evening. This meant you could only wear footwear (glass etc), shorts, bikini (t-shirt) for the ladies, spraydeck, BA and helmet, the essential protective equipment that we all should wear. The scene was set, so off we went and it was freezing for us thin people, like me. Quigley swam first, predictable I suppose. We found out that skin is better than a dry suit??? We played a while and made our way down the course getting colder as we went. The final hurdle was the roll at the bottom followed by the swim that was cold apart from the walrus called Quigley, weird guy must be that military training. Lasting impression for me were Matt in so little gear, I never want to see that again. No ladies (are they too sensible?) was a disappointment, could you be the role model we need? The final bit was the group photo did look very wrong. Note the safety bit and a personal message, doing things of this nature are an assumed risk. However, if you manage the risks you can still play. So I ensured we had plenty of bank support plus emergency plans and this could not of been done without them, so thanks guys. Remember this quote I stole from an outdoor professional, “It is important to provide the experience of the slip (Risk) but minimise the consequences resulting from the slip (Risk).” Something I feel is very important to the Club. Remember Health & Safety is enabling if managed correctly, but you all have to see the need to look after yourself with the help of the Club. If you have any H&S issues please talk to me, as I will be encouraging changes to make our environment safer over the next two years and it will impact on every one of you, and I include parents/guardians. John Stopford HXCC - Health & Safety Officer |
