Wellington Model Aeroplane Club
Wellington Model Aeroplane Club

WMAC – Risk Assessment – Indoor

RISK ASSESSMENT TEMPLATE

SECTION 1

Name of Model Flying Club Wellington Model Aeroplane Club Inc.
Name and Location of Model Flying Site Expressions Hall, Expressions Arts & Entertainment Centre, 836 Fergusson Dr, Upper Hutt Central, Upper Hutt
Site Owner’s name  Upper Hutt City Council
Does the club hold a formal lease defining use of site and term of tenancy?  Yes.  The club rents the hall throughout the year and has a written agreement with a schedule of rental times/dates.
Is model flying at this site an approved activity in terms of the local Council’s District Plan? N/A
Does the club have Resource Consent for flying of model aircraft at this site? Not Required
Assessor’s name (1) Michael Cuthbert
Position in Club Treasurer, Instructor
Assessor’s Signature Michael
Assessor’s Name (2)  Gavin Rhodes
Position in Club  Committee
Assessor’s Signature Gavin
Risk assessment checked and authorised by Club Committee on 11/10/17.
Review of Assessment due on 28/10/19

(Unless circumstances relating to operation change, a period not exceeding 24 months is suggested)

SECTION 2

SUBJECT ASSESSED The operation of radio controlled model aircraft at the site specified above.

SECTION 3

Is/Are the Assessor(s) familiar with the requirements of: – Yes No
CAA Rule 101? √  
MFNZ Policy documents and Manuals? √  
NZJMA Turbine Code of Practice? N/A  
This Club’s Safety Rules and Regulations? √  

SECTION 4 – SITE SPECIFIC RISKS

Record details of individuals, organisations, vehicles, buildings and anything else other than club members and bona fide visitors that could be placed at risk by Club operations
 Fire
 Pilots/spectators falling from edge of stage
 
 
 
 

SECTION 5 – HAZARDS REGISTER

Date Hazard
11/10/17 Lipo – Batteries
11/10/17 Stage area with no edge protection
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

RISK ASSESSMENT OF BEFORE AND AFTER CONTROL MEASURES

GROUP A RISKS – ENVIRONMENTAL

Identity of Hazard Severity Frequency Risk Factor (S x F)
Details of Hazard:
Use of Airspace relative to: –
· Other club members aircraft
· Spectators close to runway		 1 2 2
Control Measures:
· No more than ten model aircraft flying at any one time.
· No flying over the pits/spectator area		 Residual
1		 Residual

1

 Residual

1
Details of Hazard:
Hall ‘runway’		 1 2 2
Control Measures:
Club safety rules defining: –
· use of ‘runway’
· flight envelope
· positioning of pilots’ box to facilitate communication between pilots.		 Residual

1

 Residual

1

 Residual

1
Details of Hazard:
Fire hazard due to building materials used in the hall		 3 2 6
Control Measures:
· Dry Powder fire extinguishers and hose reels located ar located in club house.
· Five emergency exits located around the hall.		 2 2 4
Details of Hazard:
Radio Spectrum issues causing loss of control of aircraft being flown.		 2 1 2
Control Measures:
· Strict use of MFNZ approved frequencies.
· Most pilots use 2.4 GHz frequency hopping spread spectrum transmitters and receivers.		 1 1 1

GROUP B SITE SPECIFIC RISKS – ENVIRONMENTAL

Details of Hazard:

Identity of Hazard Severity Frequency Risk Factor (S x F)
Details of Hazard:

Stage area with no edge protection

 3 3 9
Control Measures:

Safety briefing for all new pilots/spectators warning of this danger

Placement of models and other equipment along the edge of the stage area to act as a barrier

 Residual

3

 Residual

1

 Residual

3
Details of Hazard:      
Control Measures: Residual Residual Residual
Details of Hazard:      
Control Measures: Residual  Residual  Residual

GROUP A RISKS – MECHANICAL

Identity of Hazard Severity Frequency Risk Factor (S x F)
Details of Hazard:
Radio control system – failure of aircraft communication system.		 2 2 4
Control Measures:
Transmitter “Range Check” for every model being flown prior to first flight each day.		 2 1 2
Details of Hazard:
Receiver battery failure.		 2 2 4
Control Measures:
· Pilots self-regulatory check of battery voltage prior to each flight.		 2 1 2
Details of Hazard:
LIPO battery fire due to aircraft crash, battery failure or incorrect charging procedures.		 3 2 6
Control Measures:
· All LIPO batteries are charged on the ground away from vehicles and club buildings.
· Fire is of limited duration (approximately 30 seconds) and contained within small area surrounding the battery.
· Fire extinguishers and hose reels located around the hall.  Some members also carry fire extinguishers in their vehicles.
· Members encouraged to use fire proof bags when charging LIPO batteries.		 2 2 4
Details of Hazard:
Collision of model aircraft being flown at the same time.		 2 2 4
Control Measures:
· No more than ten model aircraft in the air at any one time.
· All aircraft are flown in common circuit direction.		  1 2 2

GROUP B SITE SPECIFIC RISKS – MECHANICAL

Identity of Hazard Severity Frequency Risk Factor (S x F)
Details of Hazard:      
Control Measures: Residual Residual Residual
Details of Hazard:      
Control Measures: Residual Residual Residual
Details of Hazard:      
Control Measures: Residual Residual Residual

GROUP A RISKS – HUMAN

Identity of Hazard Severity Frequency Risk Factor (S x F)
Details of Hazard:
Pilot qualification – control of aircraft		 2 2 4
Control Measures:
· All pilots current MFNZ members and covered by MFNZ insurance.
· Only pilots with MFNZ “Wings” badge appropriate to type of aircraft being flown.
· Other pilots must have an observer with MFNZ “Wings” badge appropriate to type of aircraft being flown.		  2 1 2
Details of Hazard:
Operational Limitations – operating within approved flight envelope and geographical limits.		 2 1 2
Control Measures:
· Briefing of new club members and bona fide visitors on flight envelope.
· No flying over the pits/spectator area.
· All flying within flight envelope.		  1 1 1
Details of Hazard:
Pilot awareness/co-ordination – loss of awareness of operating environment.		 2 2 4
Control Measures:
· All pilots to be on flight line to facilitate communication.		  1 1 1

GROUP B SITE SPECIFIC RISKS – HUMAN

Identity of Hazard Severity Frequency Risk Factor (S x F)
Details of Hazard:      
Control Measures: Residual Residual Residual
Details of Hazard:      
Control Measures: Residual Residual Residual