Health and Safety Notice
FISHING CAN BE DANGEROUS - TAKE CARE
YOUR SAFETY IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
BEWARE OF FALLING IN THE WATER:
Make sure you are seated safely and securely: Keep a distance from the waters edge: If in doubt secure yourself to the bank using a rope.
If you are in a boat then wear a life jacket or buoyancy aid.
Remember you can drown in any depth of water.
PERSONAL INJURY:
Take care whilst fishing and make yourself aware of surrounding bankside hazards and instability. If you suffer from a disability take extra care and make sure you are comfortable. Never be too proud to ask for assistance
LIVESTOCK:
Be aware of neighboring livestock and the risks of injury to and from them. Do not take dogs to club waters. Ensure gates are left as found and secure.
BE AWARE OF OTHER PEOPLE:
Keep your fishing tackle tidy and do not leave it spread out where others can trip over and hurt themselves.
Look behind you when you ship back a pole to make sure you do not strike anybody. Do not leave your pole where people can fall
over it.
BEWARE OF OVERHEAD CABLES:
Never fish underneath or in the vicinity of overhead cables. Your pole or rod conducts electricity and electric shocks can kill. You do not need to touch the cable - electricity can arc some distance.
DISEASE:
Lack of hygiene and contact with water and bankside matter can lead to serious infectious diseases.
Weil's Disease (Leptospirosis) is a bacterial infection carried in rats urine which contaminates water and the banks of lakes, rivers and ponds. It is a serious disease in human beings that requires hospital treatment. The early symptoms are similar to those of flu and normally start 3 to 19 days after exposure to contaminated water. Every year people die from this disease which is unnecessary because it is easily treated if diagnosed in time.
Wash your hands or cover food with a wrapper before you eat: Do not put your hand in your mouth after immersing in water
and never place bait or fishing line in your mouth
Do not touch dead animals, especially rats: Do not leave food, ground bait or bait on the bank side
If you develop flu like symptoms that persist tell your doctor that you may have been exposed to leptospirosis so that he/she can consider it in the diagnosis
Cover any cuts, sores or scratches with waterproof plasters or gloves: Disinfect any wounds that occur at the waterside.
EQUIPMENT:
Be aware of the hazards of using equipment, especially power tools.
Any member who is involved in an incident whilst angling or on any fishery or notices a hazard must immediately report
the circumstances to the Secretary.