Glamorgan Anglers Club – River Taff Risk Assessment (Additional Risks)

No

HAZARD

Category

RISK & POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES

RISK RATING

PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN

RISK RATING

PERSONS RESPONSIBLE

C

L

R

C

L

R

1

Deep Water.

The Taff is a steep catchment and river levels can rise very quickly.

Health

Safety

Risk of drowning, serious injury and hypothermia

5

5

25

Fish only from established swims.

Only wade into the river with suitable PPE, such as waders, wading staff and a personal flotation device.

Check weather forecast and river level on NRW website before attempting to fish.

Ensure mobile phone is charged and keep in your fishing bag or waterproof pouch.

5

1

5

Anglers & Bailiffs

2

High and fast river flows. The Taff is a steep catchment and river levels can rise very quickly.

Health

Safety

Risk of drowning, serious injury and hypothermia

5

4

20

Only wade into the river with suitable PPE, such as waders, wading staff and personal flotation device.

Do not attempt to wade in high flows where water level is greater than 0.5m. Always wade slowly and use staff.

Check river levels on NRW website and check weather forecast before attempting to fish.

5

1

5

Anglers & Bailiffs

3

Undercut and steep banks

Health

Safety

Risk of falling into river and drowning, serious injury and hypothermia

5

4

20

Only fish from established swims.

Avoid walking very close to edge of banks.

5

1

5

Anglers & Bailiffs

4

Brushwood and exposed roots

Health

Safety

Slips, trips and falls

2

5

10

Only use the established tracks to access river bank.

2

2

4

Anglers & Bailiffs

5

Weather extremes (High winds)

Health

Safety

Falling tree limbs, particularly Ash suffering from Ash dieback resulting in injury or damage to vehicles.

2

5

10

The Taff river corridor is heavily wooded. Check the weather forecast before leaving home to fish. Avoid fishing when high winds are forecast. Do not fish under a hung up tree.

2

1

2

Anglers & Bailiffs

6

Low water levels and high water temperatures

Environment

Risk of poor water quality due to low oxygen saturation, ammonia toxicity and blue-green algal blooms leading to fish stress and possible fish kill.

5

2

10

GAC  may close the river at short notice to protect fish stocks.

Anglers should check the GAC website to determine if the water is open for fishing.

5

1

5

Anglers & Bailiffs

7

Fish Diseases

Environment

Disease or death of fish and other aquatic species

5

2

10

There are no dip tanks along the Taff, so ensure your nets and mats are rinsed in tap water when you return home removing all debris and dry in the open air

Wash any other equipment that has been in contact with the waterbody in tap water removing all debris and dry in the open air.

5

1

5

Anglers & Bailiffs

8

Fish Welfare (landing of fish)

Environment

Injury or death of fish

5

2

10

Always use a landing net irrespective of size or species of fish.

Use correct sized landing net for barbel or pike as per club rules.

Ensure fish have fully recovered in landing net before release back into the river.

Catch and release for all fish species.

5

1

5

Anglers