General
- Have a suitable first aid kit on hand at the work site.
- To retain immunity to tetanus, booster injections are required at least every 10 years. Tetanus spores are present in the soil and particularly in manure, and enter the skin through cuts and abrasions.
- Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection carried in rat urine, which may contaminate ponds, watercourses and muddy banks. Infection, which may lead to Weil’s disease, occurs through cuts, abrasions, and the lining of the eyes and mouth. The symptoms are a flu-like illness which may lead to kidney and liver damage, or meningitis. Any cuts should be covered with waterproof plasters, and further contact with non-sterile water avoided. After contact with pond or river water, wash exposed skin thoroughly with clean water. Wash before eating, drinking or smoking. Hepatitis A which has similar flu-like symptoms can be contracted by ingesting sewage-polluted water.
- Blue-green algae produces toxins in warm weather.Avoid working near thick blankets of algae, and wash off any that accidentally comes in contact with the skin.
Site risk assessment
The project leader must thoroughly assess any risks associated with the site, and advise workers accordingly. Waterways and wetlands have particular dangers associated with them. The depth and flow of water, bottom and bank conditions should be carefully assessed.
- Artificial ponds sometimes have sumps and sink-holes which may be deep and silted up. Natural waterways may have unexpected hollows and drop-offs. Wetlands often hide old ditches or peat diggings. Walk through and check the work-site by probing ahead with a pole, and mark clearly any hazards with ranging rods or poles before work starts.
- Soft peat and deep muck are treacherous. Corrugated iron ‘duckboards’ can give support for work on deep ooze. Attach ropes for retrieval afterwards.
- Basin or basin-blanket bogs may have sphagnum moss growing over deep water. The mat is usually strong enough to support people, but where the bog moss has been killed, for example by surface flooding of eutrophic water, the surface deteriorates into a quicksand-like pudding. If you fall through, try to fall on your back with limbs outstretched and ‘swim’ to safety. Watch out for local soft spots which often occur in the lee of tilted trees where they have depressed the sphagnum surface beneath the water and killed it.
- Coffer dams must be properly designed and built to provide safe working conditions.
Work
- Tools can be hazardous when used in water or in slippery, muddy conditions. Work at a safe distance from other people.
- Timber clearance work is especially dangerous in water or on steep banks. Fallen trees may be under tension, and are slippery when wet. Workers must wear safety helmets, and be secured with ropes if the footing is treacherous. Use winches to extract timber.
- Backs and knees are under stress in heavy clearance work, especially when shovelling sticky mud and ooze. Any heavy lifting should be done with the back as straight as possible, bending from the knees to take the strain on the leg muscles. (See below)
- Never overload a punt or boat. Volunteers should work from opposite sides at bow and stern to avoid getting in each other ’s way. Non-swimmers should not work from punts. Life jackets should be worn by all occupants if the water is over 1m deep or is fast-flowing. There should always be at least one person on the bank.
- Unexploded bombs are occasionally found in mud and rough ground, especially near coasts or commons used in the past for military training. If you do uncover a suspected explosive device, halt work immediately and move people at least 100 metres away. Inform the police, and do not return to the work area until it has been checked.
Clothing
Safety and comfort are the main requirements.
Working in water
- In warm weather, the fewer clothes the better, provided that feet, legs and hands are protected against abrasion. Cover up against the sun as necessary with light clothing, hats and sunscreen. An old wet suit is ideal for working in cold weather. Overalls or similar worn over the wet suit will protect it from further damage. Whatever the season, have dry clothes to change into at the end of the working day.
- Wellingtons or thigh waders, depending on the water depth. Never work in water with bare feet. Don’t wear waders if you are working alone except in shallow water. If you slip and they fill up with water they become very heavy and are almost impossible to remove due to the suction which holds them on. If your waders have straps, it is best not to attach them to your belt in case you have to get out of them in a hurry. To pull yourself clear of a wet wellington, straighten your foot so that water gets under it and breaks the vacuum. This also helps you pull loose from deep, clinging ooze, whether or not the welly or wader stays stuck. Chest waders should not be used unless absolutely essential. There should be at least two people on the bankside with a rope, ready to assist if necessary.
- Wear thick rubber work gloves for warmth and protection when pulling up vegetation by hand, or clearing rubbish. Use tools as much as possible to pull out rubbish. Bare hands provide the best grip when using tools.
Working out of water
- Wear overalls or close-fitting clothes. Loose clothing is a hindrance and is dangerous when using edged tools. Long hair should be tied back.
- Heavy leather work boots with metal toe caps and spiked or deep moulded soles are best. Wellingtons may be necessary in muddy conditions, but avoid wearing them when using edged tools or working aloft. Trainers and light shoes are not suitable.
- Bare hands are best when using tools, but for general protection wear work gloves.
- Safety helmets should be worn when felling trees, working aloft, or for construction work involving heavy timbers.
