Reservoir Safety

Reservoirs are large engineered structures that store water for public supply, irrigation, or flood control.
The Reservoirs Act 1975 imposes strict safety duties on reservoir owners and those working on them.
Drowning is the primary risk — deep water, steep embankments, and slippery surfaces are ever-present.
Reservoir sites often include valve towers, overflow structures, and underground chambers creating confined space risks.
Water levels can change rapidly due to inflows, releases, or weather events without warning.
Many reservoir sites are remote, making emergency response and rescue times significantly longer.
Wave action and wind can create dangerous conditions even on reservoirs that appear calm.
Working on or near dam crests and spillways combines fall risk with drowning hazard.
Access roads around reservoirs can be steep, unpaved, and vulnerable to washout or ice.
All personnel working near or over reservoir water must have water safety training and wear PFDs.

Prevent drowning	Cold, deep water with limited escape routes makes reservoirs extremely dangerous. PFDs and rescue plans save lives.
Legal duty	The Reservoirs Act 1975 and CDM 2015 require formal safety management for all construction work at reservoir sites.
Remote location risks	Longer emergency response times at remote reservoirs mean on-site rescue capability and first aid are critical.

Do

Don't

Wear a personal flotation device (PFD) whenever working within two metres of water
Ensure rescue equipment including throw lines and lifebuoys is readily available on site
Complete a site-specific water safety risk assessment before any work begins
Brief all workers on the emergency rescue plan and nearest rescue equipment locations
Check weather forecasts and water level predictions before each shift at the reservoir
Use barriers and edge protection along embankment crests and spillway approaches
Maintain communication with a base or buddy at all times when at remote reservoirs
Ensure vehicles are parked on firm ground away from soft embankment edges
Report any changes in water level, seepage, or embankment movement immediately
Carry a charged mobile phone or radio for emergency contact at all times

DON'T work near reservoir water without wearing a correctly fitted PFD
DON'T enter the water for any reason unless trained and equipped for water rescue
DON'T walk on frozen reservoir surfaces — ice thickness is unpredictable
DON'T ignore rising water levels or changing weather conditions during the shift
DON'T work alone at a remote reservoir site without a check-in procedure
DON'T drive vehicles onto dam crests or embankments without authorisation
DON'T remove or relocate rescue equipment from its designated position
DON'T enter valve towers or chambers without a confined space permit and standby
DON'T approach overflow spillways when water is flowing at high discharge rates
DON'T assume calm water is shallow — reservoirs can be many metres deep at the edge

See also: Drowning Prevention and Water Safety | Personal Flotation Device (PFD) Use

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