Health & Safety Policy
Keeping everyone safe on the bank.
1. Policy statement
Angling is statistically a safe sport, but it puts people next to deep water, flowing rivers, overhead power lines and remote banks in all weathers. P&DAA takes reasonable, practical steps to manage those risks at organised activities, and expects members to take responsibility for their own safety when fishing independently.
2. Overhead power lines
Contact between a carbon pole or rod and an overhead line kills anglers. Never tackle up, fish or carry rigged poles beneath or near overhead lines. Where lines cross or approach our waters, keep well clear, a pole doesn't need to touch a line for current to arc. If in any doubt, move swims.
3. Water safety
- Take care on wet, steep or undercut banks, particularly on the rivers in winter and during floods. If a swim looks unsafe, it is. Fish somewhere else.
- Check live river levels and flood alerts before travelling. Rising water changes a bank fast.
- Juniors should be accompanied by an adult. Life jackets are strongly advised for young children near deep or flowing water.
- Night fishing is permitted only where the rules allow it. Fish with a partner where possible, tell someone where you are, and carry a charged phone and light.
4. Weather
Stop fishing and put poles and rods down at the first sign of thunder. Carbon conducts. In prolonged hot weather, follow the club's hot weather guidance for both fish welfare and your own, and in ice or high winds use your judgement about whether the bank is safe at all.
5. Organised events and work parties
Match organisers walk the venue before pegging and leave out swims that aren't safe. Work parties are briefed before tools come out, appropriate gloves and footwear are worn, and powered tools are used only by people competent with them. First aid provision is arranged for organised club events.
6. Incidents
Report accidents, near misses and hazards on our waters through the incident form so we can fix what's fixable. For pollution or fish in distress, ring the Environment Agency hotline on 0800 80 70 60 immediately, then tell us.