Welcome to the BSRA Online Safety Audit

The intent of this online safety audit, is to support and encourage BSRA member schools to be proactive in regards to their safety practices. NOTE: This audit aims to complement Local and State Rules and Regulations.

The topics covered include:

1.   Local Safety Code
2.  The Safety Officer
3.  Risk Management and Insurance
4.  Emergency Communication
5.  Swimming and Capsize
6.  Visibility and the Weather
7.   Off-Site Rowing
8.   Safe Equipment
9.   Transport and Trailer
10.  Incident Reporting
11.   Safety Auditing Process

The responsible Rowing Director from each school is tasked with the completion of this audit. There  are 50 questions, it should take about 30 minutes. Your feedback is important and will be followed by a shed visit by the Executive Officer. At the end of term 2 a copy of your audit and a report will be submitted to your Principal.
Thank you for participating in this process.

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* 1. What school are you representing in this audit?

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* 2. The Rowing Coordinator is considered the Safety Officer at your rowing facility and the audit must be conducted by the Rowing Coordinator

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* 3. Do you have a rowing specific school induction that ensures new coaches have safety information and processes explained to them?

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* 4. Rowing Australia provide coaching Level 1 education through their online portal. The BSRA (as at 2018) recommends this as a minimum qualification for coaches at all schools. How many coaches do you employ and how many are compliant? (This is a recommendation only - each school will have a different stance on this. Please review with your Head of Sport and your Principal).

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* 5. Please select what qualifications your coaches are required to have to participate in your program. (Select as many as required).

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* 6. Do your coach/safety boat operators have a marine recreational license?

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* 7. in 2020 MSQ specified that all tinny's in school programs are to be registered as 'Other' and a specific Safety Management Systems (SMS) must be in operation at your shed. Are you aware of the new tinny registration requirements as mandated by MSQ in 2020?

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* 8. Have you adopted the Safety Management System (SMS) that is required by MSQ and endorsed by Rowing Queensland?

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* 9. Do you agree to supply a digital copy of your SMS to the EO?

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* 10. Have you ensured that coach/safety boats are equipped with safety equipment in accordance with the local on-water Code of Conduct? Such items as a baler, spare lights (for coach/safety boat and rowing boats), paddle, PFD's (personal floatation devices) and phone?

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* 11. What are your logbook procedures for tinny drivers? Eg. do you use a QR code or a manual documentation of allocated equipment?

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* 12. When do you schedule servicing of coach/safety boat engines to ensure optimal operation? 

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* 13. Are all the motors equipped with a kill switch?

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* 14. Are the coaches inducted on the kill switch usage?

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* 15. Please select from the following list, the elements your rowing coaching induction process promotes for those employed in your program. (Multiple answers accepted.)

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* 16. Does your rowing facility impart the Brisbane River Code of Conduct as part of the safety induction to coaches in your program?

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* 17. Do you have safety messaging posted up somewhere highly visible in your shed?

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* 18. Do you verbally communicate visibility issues and risk controls to rowers and coaches to ensure they comply with Maritime Safety recommendations?
Eg. Lights affixed to bow and stern in dark and changing light and fog visibility of 1000m before boating. Details available here

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* 19. What special consideration do you make to training your novice Year 8 rowers (new and inexperienced rowers)?

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* 20. Have you maintained a record of swimming ability and capsize training for each rower in your program?

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* 21. In case of accident, rowers should be instructed to stay with the boat rather than attempt to swim to safety. The boat, unless seriously damaged, can be considered a life raft. If the water is cold rowers should be instructed to get as much of their body out of the water as possible by draping themselves over the upturned hull, if necessary turning the boat over for this purpose. Rowers should also be instructed to "buddy-up", two holding on to each other until rescued to provide mutual support and to help ensure that all are accounted for.
Have you ensured that ALL participants are instructed in the actions to be taken in the event of a capsize (for all boat types)? Information here on the BSRA website

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* 22. Coach to crew Ratios. Please define the coach to crew ratio details in your program. The BSRA recommendation (as at 2018) is 1:1 in crew boats and 1:4 singles. This sometimes differs for more experienced rowers. Please advise.

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* 23. If you are unsure of the rowers capacity to confidently handle the tidal influences on their craft (particularly inexperienced rowers in the single scull), the BSRA recommendation (as at 2018) is that you increase the coach to rower ratio so that optimum supervision is available in the event of an incident. Please check the box below that you have understood this recommendation.

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* 24. The BSRA recommendation (as at 2018) is that a coach sits OUTSIDE the rowing craft in a tinnie in a supervisory role at ALL times.  Where a coach deems it appropriate to be in the boat, (coxing or rowing), another coach should accompany in a tinnie. This ensures they can act as the eyes and ears outside the boat. Will you comply with this recommendation?

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* 25. In the event of an emergency on water, what is your method of communication? Eg. mobile phone, radio

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* 26. Does your program have an appropriate and suitable risk assessment(s) that covers all its activities both on and off the water, and which also adequately addresses emergency issues?

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* 27. Has your shed been audited or scheduled to be audited by MSQ this year (at the time of this BSRA audit)?

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* 28. Have you provided a list of vital telephone numbers listed on the Safety Notice Board and in every coach/safety boat as per the MSQ tinny registration SMS and Rowing Australia Safety Guidelines)?

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* 29. Viewing the RiverShare video and the  Safety Pocket Guide is recommended. When do you schedule this for your rowing community?

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* 30. The BSRA safety quiz for rowers, coxswains and coaches is a resource that explains safety generally in rowing and the details of the river rules. It is an optional initiative but was requested by the BSRA board that all programs complete it. Who in your program will be completing this quiz (choose ONE answer)?

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* 31. Adopt a BRO (Boat Race Official) will visit your school prior to the racing season to educate the rowers/coaches of racing procedures. This is a BSRA recommendation (as at 2015) and should be scheduled just prior to the competition season in term 3.  Call Dave Alexander 07 3842 1200 to arrange at your cost. ($150 will be invoiced to your school from RQ).
Are you planning on adopting this program?

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* 32. Do you have specific training for your coxswains that enhances their capability and confidence in training and in racing?
Please note there is good material available on the BSRA website.

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* 33. Have you ensured that all life jackets and buoyancy aids (PFDs) conform to the relevant national standards and carry the Australian Standard mark of approval?

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* 34. The BSRA recommendation (as at 2016) on the use of Day/Night (D/N) High Vis 'safety' caps for ALL schools, aims to address the visibility issues that arise in the term 2 and 3 season where training in the early hours is often in the dark. This initiative has been supported by MSQ and the CityCat operators. Has your school adopted this recommendation? 
Supplier is Shaun Cronan: shaunc@baccorp.com.au or 0412590327

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* 35. Have you scheduled the CityCat interaction designed for new rowers and coaches? (Not required for SOM, STH)

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* 36. If relevant to your school, how do you impart the exclusion zone rules to your rowers and coaches? (Excluding St Hilda's and Somerville House). Available on the Brisbane River Code of Conduct

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* 37. When there is strong tidal influences, do your rowers understand that they must maintain control of their craft around the exclusion zone? Do you have standard operating procedures (SOP's) or drills to ensure coaches/rowers/coxes can; back a boat and tap a boat etc? (The relevancy is that maintaining position is also important for racing).

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* 38. St Margaret's rowing facilities are located in a creek and are required to enter/exit the creek to/from the Brisbane River. What are the traffic rules you advise your rowers to do this safely? (All other schools answer NA)

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* 39. Bow ball and heel tie checks will be randomly conducted at BSRA regattas. If your boats are not compliant your crews will not be permitted to race. Safety in Rowing - Bow Balls and Heel Ties - Decent Rowing Video

Heel ties are required to be in place and not looser than 7cm.
Does your fleet of boats comply with heel tie requirements?

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* 40. Bow ball are required to be on ALL boats, not less than 4cm diameter as per RA Rules of Racing.
Are all your boats fitted with a white bow ball as per the requirement?

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* 41. Are all buoyancy compartments watertight to ensure effective operation? (Please note: In the event of a capsize these compartments enable flotation of the craft for rowers to use as a safety device.)

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* 42. When you load the towing vehicle and boat trailer do you provide information and diagrams for your community showing the recommended arrangement for loading?

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* 43. When do you schedule servicing of the towing vehicle and boat trailer to ensure optimal operation?

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* 44. Do you provide overhang markers/flags and lights?

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* 45. Do you ensure that ties that are in good condition and are available?

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* 46. Have you clearly communicated the driver/s of the trailer/s responsibility to check the tyres (including spare), lights, projection markers and the security of the load, jockey wheel and brakes before each trip?

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* 47. Incident report forms are available here. Rowing Qld Incident Report Forms. Following an incident, this form must be submitted to RQ and to the BSRA EO. The BSRA EO will collate the material, report her findings and submit recommendations to the Coordinators of member schools and the Board in a consultative process. These findings and recommendations will be shared with RQ. RQ may share with MSQ.

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* 48. Thank you for your time in completing this audit. Do you have any comments/ suggestions that you would like to submit?

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