MVB Canoeing Risk Management Overview

Note that all canoeing events are vetted by the events coordinator for safety and risk evaluation who may consult with the committee of the club before an event is approved. Canoeing leaders are expected to follow the procedural analysis for risk assessment with every canoeing event that is programmed.

Risk Management is a four step process.

Step 1: Identify hazards

Step 2: Assess risks

Step 3: Control risks

Step 4: Review 

Hazard Risk Likelihood Consequence Risk Rating Risk Controls

Hypothermia from immersion

Injury or Death

Unlikely for a midsummer paddle in the Murray River or Lake Hume.
Moderate in spring and autumn

High in winter or in cold wet conditions

High

Low

  • Canoe leader to avoid paddles in cold wet conditions and take steps to minimise immersion duration in cold to very cold water (below 18 degrees)
  • Research the canoeing route in terms of emergency exit routes & safe places
  • Dont program events in winter and/or consider cancellation of the event in these conditions
           

Extreme
heat

Dehydration / Heat Stroke Moderate in Summer Medium Critical

Medium

High

  • Clothing checklist for sun protection
  • Club provides health / safety emergency-response training/education
  • Gear checklist includes capacity to carry adequate amounts of water
  • Leader (remote and extended paddles) must make every attempt to confirm water availability and inform party members if special measures required e.g. carry extra water.

Snake Bite

Injury

Death

Unlikely

Unlikely

Medium

Critical

Low

Low

  • Gear checklist includes snake bite bandage, mobile phone, emergency beacon
  • Club provides health / safety emergency response training /education
    Club provides first aid training for leaders
     

Dehydration

Immobility

Unlikely in evening paddles on Murray River

Moderate in long day paddles or multi day overnight trips

Low

Medium

Medium

  • Leader to make effort to ensure water availability and advise participants accordingly as to how much water to carry
  • Provision of training/education to advise of the risks of dehydration and strategies to avoid it

Trapped underwater

 Drowning

Unlikely in evening paddles on Murray River

Unlikely in long day paddles or multi day overnight trips

 

 

  • Events have a grading system so participants are aware of what the event will entail
  • Leaders to advise potential participants of the river conditions and the nature of the activity
  • Leaders must be satisified that the participants have the appropriate skills and abilities
  • Leaders must ensure that PFD appropriate equipment is worn and fitted correctly
    Leaders must ensure participants are briefed with the MVB canoeing safety procedures prior to entering water

Capsized boat

Injury and/or loss of personal belongings

Unlikely in evening paddles on Murray River

Medium in anabranches and creeks with fast flowing sections

Medium

 

Low

  • Leaders must warn participants of the danger
    Leaders must be satisified that the participants have the appropriate skills and abilities
    Leaders must ensure participants are briefed with the MVB capsized canoe recovery procedures prior to entering water
    Gear checklist includes throw rope for recovery of participants if necessary

Flooded rivers

Drowning

Likely in some areas

Crtitical

Low

  • If an event involves paddling in flooded river conditions leaders must determine flow rates and levels and either cancel the event in unsafe conditions or plan an alternative activity

Electrical storms

Lightning strike or tree fall

Likely in some areas

Critical

Low

  • Club provides health / safety emergency response training / education

Property damage

Leaving gates open

Likely in some areas

Medium

Low

  • Club protocols about private property, gates, animals, vehicles, control of children etc

Vehicle accident

Accident, injury , death Likely in some conditions Critical Low
  • Leaders must implement club protocols on driving distances, sharing driving, finish time of walks, driving in unsealed, mud and/or snow conditions - overnight stays if appropriate

Murray Valley Bushwalkers Inc Privacy Policy

INTRODUCTION

The Privacy Data and Protection Act 2014 (Vic) and the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (NSW) regulate the way in which MVB Inc handles personal and health information.

Your privacy is important to MVB Inc and the club is committed to protecting your personal information.

This policy provides information about how MVB Inc may collect, hold and use

your personal information.

WHAT PERSONAL INFORMATION DO WE COLLECT?

We collect personal information to properly and efficiently carry out our functions, to

provide you requested services and to facilitate your membership with the club.

.

The personal information collected and held about you will vary depending on the

circumstances of collection and may include, but is not limited to:

  • Your name, address, telephone/contact numbers and email address
  • Your entitlement to a membership discount
  • Information about your emergency contact person(s) in case of an emergency.
  • Information about your dealings with MVB Inc and use of our membership system.
  • Details of programs/activities/walks you have participated in.
  • Background checks including police checks and working with children checks if you apply for employment or volunteer in our activities or programs.
  • Other information provided voluntarily by you, for example in response to surveys or competitions.

If you do not provide us with some or all the information that we request this may affect our ability to communicate with you or provide the requested services.

July 21 2020: Ratified as Official Club Policy

Murray Valley Bushwalkers Inc Social Media Usage Policy

MVB Social Websites

MVB Facebook site https://www.facebook.com/groups/murrayvalleybushwalkers/

Rules for operation of the Facebook site are here https://www.facebook.com/groups/murrayvalleybushwalkers/manage_rules

MVB Flickr site https://www.flickr.com/photos/murrayvalleybushwalkers

If you wish to add content to the Flickr site get in touch with Iris Joss - assets@mvb.org.au

 


1.0      Purpose

This policy is intended to protect the interests of MVB Inc and it’s members by defining the requirements expected in the use of social media.
Social media offers the opportunity for people to gather in online communities of shared interest and create, share or consume content. MVB Inc  recognises the benefits of social media as an important tool of engagement and enrichment for its members.
Along with those benefits are associated risks to the reputation of the MVB Inc and its members and individuals who might interact with the club through social media channels.

2.0      Definition of Social Media

 Social media Includes, but is not limited to, the generation or sharing of content by an individual. It can Include (but is not limited to) such activities as:
  • Maintaining a profile page on websites (such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter etc);
  • Content sharing Include Flickr (photo sharing) and YouTube (video sharing);
  • Commenting on blogs;
  • Leaving product or service reviews on websites;
  • Taking part in online votes and polls;
  • Taking part in conversations on public and private web forums (message boards);
  • Editing a Wikipedia or other editable page.

It is important that MVB Inc's reputation is not tarnished by anyone using social media tools inappropriately, particularly in relation to any content that might reference the club.

3.0             Intent of the Policy

The intent of this policy is to Include anything posted online where information is shared that might affect participants in the committee of management or club members

Who does it apply to?
This policy applies to all MVB Inc members or any individual representing themselves or passing themselves off as being a member of MVB Inc.

When someone clearly identifies their association with MVB Inc, and/or discusses their involvement in the MVB Inc in areas defined as social media, they are expected to behave and express themselves appropriately, and in ways that are consistent with MVB Inc stated values and policies (see Policy menu item at https://murrayvalleybushwalkers.org.au)

Where does it apply?

This policy covers all forms of social media.

This policy aims to provide some guiding principles to follow when using social media. Note that this policy does not apply to the personal use of social media platforms by MVB Inc members.

4.0             Guiding PrInciples

The web is not anonymous. MVB Inc members and staff should assume that everything they write can be traced back to them.

Due to the unique nature of sporting groups such as MVB Inc, the boundaries between a member’s profession, volunteer time and social life can often be blurred. It is therefore essential that members make a clear distinction between what they do in a professional or private capacity and what they do, think or say in their capacity as a volunteer for the MVB Inc.

The club considers all members are its representatives.

Honesty is always the best policy, especially online. It is important that MVB Inc members think of the web as a permanent record of online actions and opinions.

.

5.0             Usage

For MVB Inc members and staff using social media, such use:

  • Must not contain, or link to, libelous, defamatory or harassing content. This also applies to the use of illustrations or nicknames;
  • Must not comment on, or publish, information that is confidential or in any way sensitive to MVB Inc and
  • Must not bring the MVB Inc or the sport into disrepute.
  • Opinions shared are those of the individual, and do not represent or reflect the views of MVB Inc

6.0             Consideration towards others when using social networking sites

Social networking sites allow photographs, videos and comments to be shared with thousands of other users. MVB Inc members and staff must recognise that it may not be appropriate to share photographs, videos and comments in this way.

MVB Inc members or staff should be considerate to others in such circumstance and should not post information when they have been asked not to or consent has not been sought and given. They must also remove information about another person if that person asks them to do so.

Under no circumstance should offensive comments be made about MVB Inc members or staff online.

7.0             Breach of Policy

The club continually monitors online activity in relation to the MVB Inc and its members. Detected breaches of this policy may result in disciplinary action from the committee which may involve a verbal or written warning or in serious cases, termination of your membership of the club.

8.0             Consultation or Advice

This policy has been developed to provide guidance for MVB Inc members and staff in a new area of social interaction. To seek further clarification of this policy contact the MVB Inc’s secretary or president – contact details are on the Club Leadership page of the website.

October 13 2019 – for discussion and possible implementation at next committee meeting

July 21 2020 - ratified as club policy on July 21 2020 

Subcategories

A category to house the articles about management the event system

­