Water Quality Sampling Safety

Water quality sampling involves collecting water samples from rivers, boreholes, treatment works, and distribution systems.
Sampling locations may be near open water, in confined spaces such as chambers, or at remote field locations.
Biological hazards from wastewater, river water, and treatment process streams require hygiene precautions.
Chemical preservatives added to sample bottles include acids and solvents that require COSHH controls.
Sampling at river banks, reservoir edges, and coastal locations creates drowning hazards.
Borehole sampling requires dipping equipment and pumps lowered into deep shafts — a confined space risk.
Sample integrity depends on correct collection technique, preservation, and chain of custody procedures.
Sampling equipment including multi-parameter probes contains electronic components sensitive to water damage.
Lone working is common during routine sampling rounds at multiple remote locations.
Results inform regulatory compliance decisions — incorrect sampling technique invalidates the data.

Drowning risk	Sampling near open water, reservoirs, and river banks creates constant proximity to drowning hazards.
Biological exposure	Contact with wastewater and untreated water exposes samplers to leptospirosis, E. coli, and other pathogens.
Data integrity	Incorrect sampling technique produces unreliable results that lead to wrong compliance and treatment decisions.

Do

Don't

Wear a personal flotation device when sampling at open water and reservoir locations
Use gloves and wash hands after handling water samples, especially from wastewater sources
Handle sample preservative chemicals with care following the COSHH assessment guidance
Follow lone working procedures when carrying out sampling rounds at remote locations
Assess each sampling point for confined space, drowning, and access hazards before approaching
Maintain the chain of custody for all samples from collection to laboratory delivery
Ensure vaccinations for hepatitis A and tetanus are current for all sampling staff
Carry a first aid kit and communication device on all sampling rounds
Calibrate sampling instruments before each session to ensure accurate field readings
Decontaminate sampling equipment between sites to prevent cross-contamination

DON'T sample from river banks or reservoir edges without a personal flotation device
DON'T touch your face or eat before washing after handling water samples
DON'T open sample preservative bottles without gloves and eye protection
DON'T enter borehole or chamber sampling points without confined space assessment
DON'T deviate from the sampling technique specified in the method statement
DON'T carry out sampling rounds alone without a lone working check-in procedure
DON'T contaminate samples by using unclean bottles or incorrect preservation methods
DON'T submerge electronic probes beyond their rated depth or without securing the cable
DON'T leave sample bottles unlabelled — traceability to the sample point is essential
DON'T ignore slippery or unstable ground at sampling locations — assess access first

See also: Working Near Open Water | Lone Working Risk Assessment

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