Toolbox Talk
WORKING NEAR WATER
THE LAW
HASAWA 1974
Management of health
and Safety at Work
Regulations 1999
CDM 2015 Regulations
GUIDANCE
Ensure you have read and
understood the RAMS and
risk assessments for the
work before starting the
task
Assess the weather and
water conditions, is it
raining, is the river rising?
Assess the area of work
and ground conditions, is it
waterlogged and slippery?
Ensure your PPE is correct
for the job and in good
condition
Make sure a rescue plan
has been discussed and
rehearsed before starting
any work
Take special care if using
machinery or vehicles near
water, be aware of your
surroundings at all times
ALWAYS wash your hands
before eating, drinking or
smoking
Avoid wading in water
FOR FURTHER ADVICE CONTACT YOUR HEALTH AND SAFETY ADVISOR
© : M Crossman This information is purely for guidance and should not be taken as legally binding advice
WHAT IS WORKING NEAR WATER?
Water hazards are present in many workplaces from ponds, ditches,
streams and rivers as well as flooding. Whether for landscape engineers
maintaining a pond, litter picking or grass cutting near rivers or
construction workers repairing a
water pipe in a ditch wworker’s
performing these and other duties
can be exposed to hazards
associated with working around
water. The big concern is obviously
drowning. Not all workers can swim,
especially when a current is present,
but there are other hazards around
water that must be considered.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS?
Slips and trips and falls or fast currents and waves can lead to
accidental immersion in water which in turn can lead to:
 Drowning
 Shock
 Impact with submerged and floating debris
 Hyperthermia
 Undercut banks giving way
Serious illnesses can be caused by
waterborne contaminants such as:
 Blue green algae
 Leptospirosis
 Tetanus
 Toxic-cyano bacteria
 Chemical Pollution
 Sewage/animal droppings
WHAT DOES THE LAW SAY?
The Health And Safety At Work Act 1974 applies to most situations of work
on or near water, and therefore there is a duty on employers to protect their
employees and non-employees who could be at risk
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 Regulation 3
requires the provision of risk assessments and this includes with regard to
working on or near water
CDM 2015 regulation 35 requires steps to be taken to prevent the risk of
drowning during construction work on or near water.
Be aware of erosion of the
bank when working near rivers
and streams. If you stand on
the edge of the “river cliffe” it
can give way and you will fall
into the deep part of the river

Weirs and spillways are

dangerous because the falling
water can trap a body on the
bottom leading to drowning

Any workplace over, on or near water presents a danger that persons might slip or fall into the
water, be swept off their feet by wave action, tide action, strong currents or swell from passing water
traffic. Adverse weather is also a factor that can increase the danger, and work conditions can change
quickly. Whether or not a person is injured by falling in the water, there is an immediate risk of
drowning and/or being carried away by water currents.
Sound precautions must be taken, firstly to prevent persons entering the water and, secondly, if the
worst happens, to ensure that they will float and are rescued in the shortest possible time. A standby
rescue boat allows in water rescue in the shortest possible time. It is essential, when working on or
near water that safe systems of work are in place based on a thorough risk assessment and that staff
are properly trained and instructed.

Rescue Equipment
MCA coded Standby rescue boat including Solas safety equipment. MCA approved lifebuoys or
rescue lines should be positioned at intervals along the work area. Daily checks must be made to
ensure that lifebuoys and lines are in their proper place.

Rescue Procedure
It is important that: Lone working is avoided to ensure there is always someone to raise the alarm.
Each person is trained in what to do in the event of an emergency. An emergency rescue plan is in
place for the work activity. The elements of a rescue procedure consists of:
A routine for raising the alarm.
A drill to provide the rescue boat facilities.
A routine for getting the rescued person(s) appropriate medical assistance. ie all rescue boat
skippers to hold HSE first aid at work