Inland Waterways Association
Risk Assessment – Working Adjacent to Water
Branch:
Location:
Planned Operation:
Risk Title: Injury resulting from working adjacent to water.
Exposed Groups/ Individuals (i.e. IWA volunteers, members of the public):
RISK DESCRIPTION
There is a risk that whilst working adjacent to water, that an incident occurs resulting in injury to one or
more volunteers due to the hazards that water presents.
Likelihood
RISK IMPACTS
1.
2.
3.
Contact with water causing a micro biological hazard.
Illnesses including Weil’s Disease.
Injury/ illness/ death as a result of immersion in the water
such as hypothermia or drowning.
Injury from contact with underwater hazards or
obstructions.
Severity
Risk
1
5
5
2
5
10
2
3
6
MITIGATION ACTIONS
Owner
1a
Event
Leader
1
4
4
Volunteers
1
2
2
Volunteers
1
2
2
Event
Leader/
Volunteer
1
2
2
Event
Leader/
Volunteers
Event
Leader/
Volunteers
2
1
2
1
4
4
Event
Leader
2
2
4
Event
Leader
2
2
4
Event
Leader/
Volunteers
2
2
4
1b
1c
1d
3a
2a
2b
2c
2d
3b
Volunteers will be made aware of potential
for contact with water and the possibility of
resulting illness. In particular they will be
made aware of the symptoms of Weil’s
Disease.
Volunteers to keep all cuts/ abrasions
covered.
Volunteers to wash hands before eating,
and before and after going to the toilet.
Additional preventative and protective
measures to be used such as barrier cream
and provision of personal protective
clothing to minimise risk.
Volunteer’s awareness reduces risk.
Thermal blankets and throw lines will be
available on site.
Volunteers are briefed that they are not to
work alone and should an incident occur,
other volunteers in the group are able to
offer assistance and raise the alarm.
Event Leader to ensure first aid kit is well
stocked with appropriate items. Volunteers
to be made aware of its location on site.
Volunteers to be made aware of potential
hazards that could result in a slip or trip
within the work site i.e. bollards/ slippery
banks. Volunteer awareness will reduce
risk.
Volunteers to be made aware of potential
hazards whilst working adjacent to water. If
underwater obstructions can be seen they
are to be removed, or if that is not possible,
they must be clearly fenced off and signed.
Likelihood
Severity
Risk
Fallback Plan(s):
Control/ Monitoring Action(s): All incidents/ accidents associated with working adjacent to water
will be logged and corrective action taken as appropriate.
Assessor:
Date Assessed:
Jenny Black
7th August 2012
Approved to Proceed by:
Review Date:
On-going
Date:
Reference No.
IWAWAW1.1