Health & Safety Statement.

The large and small Etherow Lakes are situated within the bounds of Etherow Country Park. Etherow Model Boat Club has the use of the small lake. The car park and path surrounds are maintained by Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council. The Park is used by dog walkers, families and children 24 hours, 7 days, a week and is accessible at all times.

Statement of Health and Safety

Preface

Etherow Model Boat Club is not an employer and as such is not required to comply with the Health and safety at Work Act. However this statement will ensure that all dealings within the club’s site at Etherow Country Park reflect the spirit of the Act and give advice and guidance to all who use the facilities.

Evaluation of risks

Evaluation is an ongoing process and it is the responsibility of all committee members to report any possible hazard to the committee for their further action.

The Captains of each discipline within the club must ensure that these guidelines are adhered to at all events and it is the responsibility of all members to act responsibly and within these guidelines at all times when using the lake and its environs.

A full risk assessment of the site must be completed annually .

A copy of the current risk assessment document can be downloaded from here.

Other items of interest

Etherow Model Boat Club holds current public liability insurance covering all members throughout the year wherever they are sailing within the EEC. Any other user of the lake must provide adequate proof of their personal insurance either via their own club or national organisation.

A first aid kit is available in the club house, and in the locker on the landing stage: the responsibility for its use will normally remain with the user. 

Life jackets for use in the rescue boat, and cleaning equipment for the landing stage are also kept in the locker.

Child protection policy

Etherow Model Boat Club does not permit any junior member to be present on the landing stage unless accompanied by their parent, guardian or responsible adult. If other arrangements have been agreed with another adult, then a letter of permission must be lodged with the Secretary who will report this to the committee for their approval.

This arrangement is deemed a private childcare agreement and is therefore not the responsibility of Etherow Model Boat Club, or its officers. This also relates to any vulnerable adult.

No EMBC member is allowed to approach any child or vulnerable adult without either the presence of or express permission of that child’s or vulnerable adult’s parent, guardian or responsible adult.

No photograph of any person under the age of 18 or vulnerable adult may be taken without the permission of the parent, guardian or responsible adult.

Any EMBC member accused of inappropriate behaviour with a child or vulnerable adult will be immediately suspended from the club and the details referred to the relevant authority. That member will not be re-admitted until said authority has investigated the matter. In the event of a conviction, the said member will be expelled from the club. Inappropriate behaviour is classified as:

• Physical harm of any kind
• Threatening behaviour
• Bullying
• Any form of discrimination due to race, cultural differences, gender, disability or sexuality

This document was last updated in May 2019.