Work Activity Risk Assessment
Surveys Outwith Daylight Hours
TRAINING / SUPERVISION
PPE REQUIRED
Trained / Authorised personnel only. Review site risk assessment and brief personnel on risks & controls before work starts
Boots with ankle support, waterproofs, alcohol gel, first aid kit, mobile phone, hi-vis vest or jacket
COMMON HAZARDS
Associated with the work
activity
WHO IS AT RISK?
Public, staff, trainees,
children, volunteers etc.
General / All Risks
Staff & volunteers
RISK RATING
Risk level before
controls are in
place - H, M or L
Medium
CONTROL MEASURES
Measures in place before work is allowed to start
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Slips, trips & falls
Staff & volunteers
Medium
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Working in or near water
Staff & volunteers
Low
Violence / intimidation
Staff & volunteers
Low
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Adverse weather
Staff & volunteers
Medium
Health risks - plants, insects
and animals
Staff & volunteers
Medium
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Health risks – hazardous waste
/ pollutants
Staff & volunteers
Low
Striking injury from falling or
overhanging vegetation
Staff & volunteers
Medium
Striking injury from vehicles or
trains
Staff & volunteers
Low
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Take particular care when navigating in darkness, e.g. make a GPS waypoint at parking
point to allow navigation back to it, and also use waypoints for significant navigation
features, and to highlight any hazards encountered for when retracing your steps
Be sensitive to others at night, e.g. if work requires approaching buildings etc. consider
the need to notify people that you will be working in an area at night.
Be aware of the need for surveyors to be sufficiently rested, especially for drivers
driving to and from site
Refer to site risk assessment (where available) for identified risks along the route
Wear suitable non-slip footwear with good ankle support
Exercise caution on uneven terrain - take your time
Visual inspection of immediate site before work starts - clear debris or obstructions if
necessary
Refer to Surveys near water risk assessment before work commences
Check riverbanks are not undercut
Wash hands after contact with water
Do not drink water
Cover any exposed cuts
Ensure people aware of Weil’s disease threat
Avoid threatening situations, walk away from potentially dangerous situations and alert
land owner if a situation arises
Do not work alone
Suitable clothing for variable conditions - hot or cold
Check weather forecast before setting out
Stop activity in high winds or other extreme / hazardous weather
Identify and avoid potentially hazardous vegetation e.g. giant hogweed
If possible, locate and monitor animal activity e.g. bat roosts, wasps nests, deer herds,
bulls etc. and proceed with caution
Access to first aid kit / water / wet wipes / insect repellent/ hand sanitiser advisable
Check for and remove ticks, include tick remover in first aid kit, ensure people are
aware of Lyme disease threat
Ensure participants carry any medication required for pre-existing medical conditions
Do not touch dead animals (poisoned bait)
Be vigilant and do not survey in areas with visible waste material (e.g. hypodermic
needles, asbestos, rusty metal) / pollutants (e.g. sewage outflow, landfill effluent)
Keep inoculations up to date
Ensure any chemicals being used are clearly labelled / refer to CoSHH assessments
Visual assessment of overheard branches / vegetation before work starts
Avoid working directly under dangerous trees / branches etc. where possible
Wear hard hat where appropriate
Remain extremely vigilant when working adjacent to highways / railways
Do not stray onto roads or rail tracks
RESIDUAL RISK
Risk level after controls
are in place H, M or L
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Lifting and handling
Staff & volunteers
Medium
Fire
Staff & volunteers
Low
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Wear hi-vis vest / jacket when working near roads / railways
Avoid lifting where possible - plan ahead
Seek help to lift where necessary and practical
Use recognised safe lifting techniques
Use mechanical aids where available and appropriate
Dispose of flammable materials sensibly / be alert for smoke
Low
Low
LIST ANY ADDITIONAL HAZARDS AND EXTRA CONTROLS WHERE THOSE LISTED ABOVE ARE NOT SUFFICIENT TO MANAGE THE RISK
RESULT
CERTAIN
PROBABLE
POSSIBLE
IMPROBABLE
FATAL / DISABILITY
HIGH
HIGH
MEDIUM
LOW
MAJOR INJURY
HIGH
HIGH
MEDIUM
LOW
MINOR INJURY
MEDIUM
MEDIUM
LOW
LOW
NO INJURY
LOW
LOW
LOW
LOW
CERTAIN - happens repeatedly, expected
PROBABLE - will happen more than once
POSSIBLE - unlikely, though conceivable
IMPROBABLE- highly unlikely
NAME
SIGNATURE
DATE