WELLAND MAYFLY FISHERS

RISK ASSESSMENT

This risk assessment acts as a guide to outline some of the common hazards, risks and control measures that might be encountered whilst fishing and undertaking a clean-up event. Due to changing weather and water conditions, ideally this risk assessment should be undertaken on the day of the event prior to it commencing.

All participants should be briefed by the leader on the risk assessment before the start of the clean-up.

Date of event

Location

Event Leader

Hazard		Risk	Suggested control measures	Additional measures
Environment conditions	Weather condition – Cold	Hypothermia	Tell participants to wear appropriate clothing and bring extra layers Review the conditions on the day and be aware of deteriorating conditions
	Weather condition – Hot	Dehydration, sunburn	Provide sun cream and ask participants to bring water
	Weather condition – Rain	Slippery surface; slips trips and falls	Ask participants to wear waterproofs and appropriate footwear with good grip
	Slippery, uneven, or steep terrain	Slips, trips, and falls	Ask participants to wear appropriate footwear with good grip
Tool handling and litter picking	Use of tools: litter pickers	Collision with other users: eye injury	Be aware of other volunteers around the area Work slowly, minimising splashing Keep the end of the tool away from eyes When moving with the tool, keep it pointed at ground height. Leave the tool in a visible, safe location.
		Tools causing trip hazard	Leave the tool in a visible, safe location that will not cause a trip hazard
		Balance – risk of falling reaching for hard to reach litter	Do not overreach for litter
	Heavy bags		Participants are warned not to overfill sacks with rubbish. . Participants are informed to carry and move bags with good form
	Sharp objects or litter (broken glass, metal, cans)	Cuts, punctures, wounds	Protective gloves must be worn whilst collecting litter Instruct participants not to handle any visible needles, to note their location and report them to the local authority. Inform participants to use litter pickers wherever possible to pick up litter Inform participants not to kneel to avoid cuts or scrapes to the knees Inform participants of the specific container for sharp items that can be safely removed.
Contact with the water	Water borne diseases and pollution	Becoming sick or unwell from contact with the water e.g. Weils disease	Protective gloves must be worn whilst collecting litter Use litter pickers to handle litter wherever possible Carry anti-bacterial hand sanitiser and ensure hands are washed before eating Keep hands away from mouth and eyes whilst litter picking Advise participants to cover any cuts and grazes before they start Wash hands thoroughly after the clean up Advise of symptoms to be aware of for Weils disease including but not limited to: fever, chills, headaches, nausea and vomiting. Avoid outlets e.g. storm water overflows
	Entering the water	Drowning	Where possible undertake the litter picking from the bank. Advise a participant if they are entering the water, to check the depth for silt prior to entry. Inform the participant to inform someone if they plan on entering the water and to only do so in the presence of another individual
Other users	Conflict	Other water users	Brief the participants to be aware of other water users that might be passing during the event. Where possible, step aside to let them pass If confrontation develops remain calm and summon help as quickly as possible
Invasive species	Invasive species	Unintentional transfer of invasive species between water bodies	Brief participants on the risk of spreading invasive non-native species to/and from other water courses. Advice participants to follow Check Clean Dry before and after the litter pick
	Other hazards not covered above
	Insects	Bites and Stings	Keep well clear of wasp, hornet nests and beehives. Wear insect repellent to deter biting bugs.
	Lyme’s disease from Ticks	Potential Illness	Check body for ticks immediately after returning from the field. Remove any ticks and swab the area with alcohol. Continued.. Report any unexplained fever or rash at the bite site to your doctor as soon as possible. Wearing long trousers and sleeves are recommended.
	Attack by farm animals	Potential injury	Avoid fields with cows and young calves, bulls, and rams.
	Fishing, wading, or sampling rivers.	Falling into water	River sampling – work in pairs / groups. Be careful to watch your footing in the water and on the riverbanks. Beware of undercut banks and steep drop-offs. Do not enter the water if flows are very high. Be aware of slippery rocks and hazards, particularly in poor weather conditions. In rivers be aware of flash flooding. Wear suitable waterproof clothing. Use a wading staff. A life preserver is always recommended. Lone fishing – carry a mobile phone. Let someone know where you plan to fish and approximate time for your return.
	Fishing, wading, sampling rivers, working parties	Medical conditions	Your duty of care to advise others of your medical conditions. Carry a First Aid Kit or medication appropriate to your condition.
	Fishing in general	Electrocution – severe burns	Do not fish or walk with a fishing rod in the air during electrical storms. Always keep well clear of overhead power lines.
	Fishing in general	Casting and handling fishing tackle – cuts and abrasions	Beware barbed / fishing hooks are sharp, and lines can cut deep. Keep well clear of others that are casting. Always wear glasses and a hat to protect head and face.
	Working parties – riverbank clearance / strimming / use of power tools	Potential injury – use of tools, falling or slipping on slippery unstable and uneven ground.	Local assessment of area and conditions on day work commences. Consider using only trained members in the use of specific power tools. PPE – Protective clothing / glasses / gloves always to be used. Appropriate footwear to be worn. Work in pairs or groups if appropriate. Carry a mobile phone for emergencies. Carry a First Aid Kit.
	Reporting	Serious incidents / injury / Safeguarding Issues	Report serious incidents / injury / Safeguarding Issues, to club secretary / committee members so that appropriate action can be taken and to prevent re-occurrence as deemed necessary.

WMF 040524 AMH