BTCV Handbooks Online

Book:	Local Action
Chapter:	Health and Safety
Section:	Risk assessment
Metadata:	Details	Buy this book

Risk assessment is about assessing what things may go wrong (the hazards), how likely they are to go wrong (the risks) and how serious the consequences would be. This process should lead to taking action to control or reduce those risks.

To assess the risks in any project ask six questions:

What are the things that can go wrong (the hazards)?
How likely is it that something will go wrong (the risk)?
How often does a specific risk arise - daily, every time a particular tool is used, or annually?
How many people are at risk? (See below)
Are the effects immediate or chronic? A cut arm is immediate, while chemical poisoning may be chronic, meaning long term and persistent.
What does the law dictate, ie are there regulations covering this hazard?

There are two types of hazard, linked to bad planning and bad working as above.

Inherent hazards

These are already on the project site and include underground cables and drains, difficult access and dangerous rubbish abandoned on site. Also consider hazardous plants, such as giant hogweed, and any known locations of wasp's nests or adder sightings. Some things may be inherent hazards only at certain times of the year, eg toxic blue-green algae can form in ponds and rivers under certain conditions in summer.

These hazards should be recorded on any site survey or management plan you make, along with the location of the nearest telephone and hospital. Check that it has an accident and emergency department open in case of emergency. If any volunteer has a mobile phone, encourage them to bring it. They have already saved lives through speeding up emergency response. Remember always to have a vehicle parked ready to leave. BTCV's leaflet "Basic Safety" has more information on these hazards.

Created hazards

These stem from your activities and start from the moment volunteers meet. Loading tools, standing around in the road by minibuses, transporting tools (make sure they are well wrapped and stored) using tools and cutting through undergrowth are just some of them. Contrary to some claims, experienced workers have accidents just like newcomers, often through familiarity and the resulting carelessness with the hazard. Proper tool maintenance can play an important part in minimising hazards.

Planning for safety

This requires simple forethought. Firstly you need to know where the inherent hazards are and make sure that everyone knows how to avoid them. Secondly you need to train people to minimise the created hazards. The role of a leader is critical here, not in being a worried 'mother hen', but in setting a good example and never taking short cuts in working practices that may increase risks. Use BTCV "Risk Assessment" and "Generic Risk Assessments" publications aas guides to planning.

There are certain basic principles that should apply to anyone doing conservation work. These are covered in more detail in Basic Safety, but key points are:

Only carry as many tools as you can comfortably manage.
Always carry tools at your side, never over your shoulder, with the 'business end' pointing forward and with points or blades facing the ground.
Lay tools that are not in use flat on the ground, or with their points downward.
Tie back long hair.
Never use damaged tools.
Always wear strong boots, preferably with steel toecaps.
Always wear a hard hat when working in woodlands.
Always wear goggles or eye protection when dealing with thorn scrub.
Never wear gloves when using swinging tools and never use them in the wet.
Never continue work when you are tired.