Each type of monitoring has a distinct risk profile and, therefore, a separate risk assessment and suggested requirement for training, equipment and supervision. The guidance builds from the lowest risk class to the highest but does not distinguish between the resources required by the general public versus an employee.
“We should treat the health and safety (H&S) of volunteers and employees the same.”
This guidance acknowledges that there is no ‘right’ answer and that the responsibility for H&S will always rest with the organization conducting the monitoring. For each type of monitoring, we highlight the suggested best practice, provide typical resources, including risk assessments and Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) assessments and then identify ‘known exceptions’ where existing citizen science approaches deviate from the guidance along with the rationale for the different approaches followed. Organisations can put in additional measures if their risk assessment indicates that these are required.
1 – Bankside – no contact with water
This is the lowest-risk class and needs to balance the benefits of engaging citizen scientists in an activity that they could be doing as part of their everyday lives with the need to keep them safe. It is basic water safety awareness.
Resource: Guidance is made available for the participant via a link. It is also good practice to highlight the most important H&S considerations on the App or paper form so that they are readily available to the participant when they tick to say they have read the guidance. The two key issues to highlight are:
- Do not enter the water.
- Are you in a safe location to make your observations where you cannot slip into the water?
Risk assessment: The risk assessment is for the organization, which asks people to take part so that they periodically check and refine the generic guidance based on experience and feedback.
Training. No training is required. No known exceptions have been identified.
Supervision: No supervision is required. No known exceptions have been identified.
Action required: Tick to say that the participant has read the guidance. Ensure that they have to do this each time they submit a record. Known exceptions: A number of Citizen Science Apps, e.g. Big Butterfly Watch, either have no mention of H&S or use a H&S waver. This is a low-risk activity similar to everyday activities – it can be argued that the benefits of taking part exceed the minimal risks.
2 – Bankside – contact with water
This type of monitoring involves collecting a sample of water BUT not entering the river. This activity has increased the risk to the participant above what could normally be expected as part of their everyday life because of the contact with water and, in some cases, reagents used in the monitoring protocol.
H&S resources: The risk assessment is for the participant and should be an integral part of the training. The participant should sign to say that they have read, understood and will comply with the risk assessment. COSHH assessments will be required for sewage (coming soon), and any reagents that are required by the monitoring protocol. These COSHH assessments may require additional H&S equipment, such as safety goggles, as identified below.
H&S training: Online or in-person training is required partly to ensure that the data collected is of a known quality and that all participants are aware of the specific H&S implications associated with contact with water and possibly reagents used in the sampling protocol.
H&S supervision: It is not required, but participants should work in pairs. Known exceptions: In some cases, additional control measures required, including lone working guidance and dynamic risk assessment.
H&S equipment: High viz jacket and gloves. Known exceptions: check with your chosen scheme. Additional control measures may be required: dynamic risk assessment to minimize risks from traffic and additional hygiene measures to minimize the risk of infection from contaminated water.
H&S actions required from the participant: Tick to say that the participant has read the risk assessment and completed the training.
3 – In river
This is the highest-risk class and requires the participant to enter the water.
H&S resource: The risk assessment is for the participant and should be an integral part of the training. No known exceptions have been identified.
H&S training: In-person training is required partly to ensure that the data collected is of a known quality, but also to ensure that all participants are aware of the specific H&S implications associated with entry into the water. No known exceptions have been identified.
H&S supervision: This should be provided, or participants should monitor in pairs to avoid working alone. Additional control measures may be required: Dynamic risk assessment; only go to sites that have an existing risk assessment; buddy system etc.
H&S equipment: Wellington boots or waders; gloves, life jackets; ranging poles to check water depth and safety lines are likely to be required. Additional control measures may be required: Dynamic risk assessment; only go to sites that have an existing risk assessment; buddy system; do not enter water deeper than wellies, etc.
Action: Sign to say that the participant has read the risk assessment and completed the training. No known exceptions have been identified.
Template: Generic guidance note for monitoring – Bankside – no contact with water.
This guidance note provides an outline of best practices in terms of health and safety when taking part in [monitoring initiative]. This includes the risks you should be aware of when observing river health. You must never enter the river to make your observations. You should find somewhere safe near the river where there is no risk of you slipping into the water and enjoy some peaceful time observing river life – have fun!
In an emergency please contact the emergency services – 999
Your responsibility
Whilst taking part in [monitoring initiative] you have the responsibility of ensuring that you are considering you own health and safety and the health and safety of others around you. You should not put yourself in a position that could place you, or others, in danger. You are under no obligation to participate in or continue with the survey if it is not safe to do so. You are under no obligation to visit a particular site. If you have any health and safety concerns about the survey, you should stop the survey and raise your concerns with [org name] info@email.
Risk assessment
Before undertaking the [monitoring initiative], you should consider the health and safety hazards associated with the site where you are observing the river and whether individual circumstances or any medical conditions expose you to particular hazards. Generic areas of risk when undertaking the [monitoring initiative] survey are given below. However, you should identify the potential risks specific to the site you are visiting and apply practical precautions to minimise the level of any risks. You should also pass this health and safety information on to anyone else who is helping you undertake the survey.
Access permission
You may not need permission to observe a river that can be accessed from a public footpath or where the river is within open access land. Do not access private land unless you can contact the landowner to explain what you are doing and why, and don’t continue with the survey if access permission is refused. In all cases, please abide by The Countryside Code www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk.
Parking
When visiting a site, take care to park cars sensibly, preferably off-road, and do not block entrances.
Mobile phones
It is advisable to carry a mobile phone, as it may be useful in case of an emergency. Please note that mobile phones may not work in some remote areas. In case of an emergency, you can use either the European Emergency Number (112) or 999 (see www.eena.org for more information). 112 can be dialled even if the keypad is locked.
Making your observations
River habitats can be dangerous places with deep water, steep and slippery banks, unsafe floating mats of vegetation and fast-flowing water. Any survey near water includes a serious risk of injury or drowning. You should never enter the water to make your observations. Always find a safe position near the river where you can make your observations without the risk that you could slip and enter the water accidentally. Remember that:
- Rivers may be surrounded by dense vegetation, which can be a trip hazard or cause abrasions to the body, face and eyes. Don’t bend or kneel in areas of known sharp grasses or plants.
- Approach rivers where the flow is slow (e.g. near a bridge or from the shallows).
- Never attempt to observe rivers which are swollen following heavy rainfall.
- Do not observe the river from areas that present a particular danger (i.e. steep slopes, cliffs, unstable banks and rivers during flood).
- We recommend that you should always undertake [monitoring initiative] survey in pairs.
Lone working Code of Practice
Always leave a note with your whereabouts with a responsible person (buddy system). For health and safety reasons, we recommend that you always undertake [monitoring initiative] in pairs. If you find it necessary to carry out a survey alone or you are accompanied but working in a remote place, please ensure you have left the following details with a responsible person and make sure they know how to raise the alarm if you do not return to your base when expected. Details should include: date and time of departure, method of travel to and around the survey site, proposed itinerary, expected time of leaving the site and return to base, and vehicle identification details. The person to whom these details are given should be told who to contact if you do not return and when to raise the alarm.
Under 18s
Under 18s can take part in the [monitoring initiative] if they are accompanied by a responsible adult. There is no age limit on taking part in [monitoring initiative], but we would advise that parents or guardians inform their child of the associated risks and accompany them – read the guidance, have fun, stay safe!
General precautions
Check weather reports before you go out and wear appropriate clothing, e.g. wellington boots and long-sleeved clothes and trousers, to prevent scratches and nettle stings. In hot weather, use sun protection, including a wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen. Make sure you drink plenty of water and take food for long excursions. Avoid or abandon outdoor activities in bad weather.
Difficult terrain and traffic
Take special care when carrying out [monitoring initiative] along watercourses, cliff edges, or in areas that contain boggy ground, reed beds, loose rocks or areas with underground burrows (e.g. badger and rabbit holes) often found along field edges. Do not cross potentially hazardous sites, such as quarries, ravines and railway lines. Please heed warning signs and do not enter private (non-access) land that has been deliberately obstructed by fencing or barbed wire. Take care when crossing roads or making observations near roads or bridleways. Always be alert when walking in areas of poor visibility that may be used by motorbikes or horses. Wear bright clothing to ensure that you can be seen.
Livestock and agricultural machinery
Take special care when entering areas with livestock, especially cattle, rams and horses. If livestock are likely to be present on the site, do not take a dog with you to do [monitoring initiative]. Do not enter fields containing bulls. Rutting deer can also be aggressive in the autumn. Avoid undertaking [monitoring initiative] in close proximity to working agricultural machinery or forestry operations.
Human confrontation and dogs
Consider your personal safety when taking [monitoring initiative] within the vicinity of known or likely trouble spots. Avoid confrontation with landowners, land workers or members of the public. Be wary of dogs off leads. Disinfect any bites and seek medical attention. If you have any concerns about your personal safety, do not continue with the survey.
Adders
Check the area you visit to see whether adders will likely be present. Take care to look at the ground when kneeling or placing your hands on the ground. Wear stout boots. Take extra care when lifting debris from the ground.
Waterborne diseases
Working near water is a potential source of disease, including leptospirosis or Weil’s disease, hepatitis A and tetanus. In all cases, the best preventative measures are:
- Be aware of where and how these diseases can be caught and take precautions based on this knowledge.
- Ensure tetanus jabs are up to date.
- Ensure that any cuts on hands are covered with waterproof plasters, and carefully clean and cover any cuts or grazes that occur whilst working in water.
- Wear protective clothing such as gloves.
- Avoid ingestion of water.
- Ensure that your hands are washed after contact with water, especially before eating, drinking, or smoking.
- If you have accidentally entered the water, wash thoroughly and as soon as possible.
- If feeling unwell after taking part in the survey, seek medical attention and notify them of the activities you have undertaken.
Lyme’s disease is a bacterial disease transmitted by animal ticks associated with rank vegetation, which can lead to severe symptoms if left untreated. Various animals, including sheep, deer, and pheasants, act as hosts for the bacteria. Make regular checks of skin and hair. Remove ticks from the skin as soon as possible. Wear light-coloured clothing so that ticks are visible, tuck trousers into socks so that ticks cannot attach or climb up the inside of clothing without being seen. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lyme-disease/
Tetanus is a serious but rare condition caused by bacteria getting into a wound. It may result from the infection of even minor wounds and scratches with Clostridium tetani, a common micro-organism in soil. The symptoms include muscle spasms, stiffness and fever, and can be fatal if left untreated. The most effective treatment is to ensure you have been fully vaccinated, but if you are unsure about your vaccination status or concerned about a wound, you should contact your GP or visit your nearest minor injuries unit. For more information visit: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/tetanus/
Weil’s disease (leptospirosis) is an uncommon bacterial infection spread by animals, but the risk is increased if you regularly come into contact with rivers. The organism is carried by rats and other animals, and excreted in their urine. Many people only experience mild flu-like symptoms but the condition can be very serious in others and even fatal if left untreated, so if you experience any symptoms check with your GP. You can avoid the risk of Weil’s disease by washing your hands thoroughly after taking your water samples and by cleaning and covering wounds before you collect the sample (e.g. by wearing latex free gloves). For more information visit: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/leptospirosis/
By accepting to survey for [monitoring initiative] it is assumed that this risk assessment has been read, and that you will take all possible care to assess and avoid the hazards listed and perform the survey in a safe manner. If any incidents, accidents or near-accidents occur during the course of your survey, please ensure you contact [monitoring initiative] team as soon as possible, info@email
Examples of the following templates are under development:
- Risk assessment for bankside – no contact with water
- Risk assessment for bankside – contact with water
- Risk assessment for in-river sampling
- COSHH assessment – sewage
Once complete, they will be shared here.