A water safety risk assessment must be carried out before any work begins near, over, or in water. The assessment identifies the specific drowning hazards, evaluates the risk considering factors such as water depth, flow rate, tidal conditions, temperature, and access, and specifies the control measures required. A generic risk assessment is not sufficient — each location and activity near water must be assessed individually because conditions vary dramatically between sites and even between different areas of the same site.
Key Hazards
Drowning risk not properly assessed leading to inadequate controls near water
Changing water conditions not accounted for in a static risk assessment
Rescue arrangements not proportionate to the assessed level of drowning risk
Workers unaware of water hazards because the assessment was not communicated
Control Measures
Carry out a site-specific water safety risk assessment for every work location near water.
Assess water depth, flow rate, tidal range, temperature, bank stability, and access and egress.
Specify the control measures required: barriers, PFDs, rescue equipment, trained personnel, and buddy systems.
Review the assessment whenever water conditions change due to weather, season, or tidal variation.
Communicate the assessment findings to all workers through briefings before they start near water.
Ensure rescue arrangements are proportionate to the risk level identified in the assessment.
Include the risk of cold water shock in the assessment for all open water locations.
Assess the ability of emergency services to access the location and plan for any limitations.
Record the assessment formally and keep it available on site for reference and audit.
Remember
Every location near water requires its own specific risk assessment — generic assessments are not adequate.
Water conditions change with weather, season, and tides so the assessment must be regularly reviewed.
Cold water shock must be included in the assessment for all open water regardless of the time of year.
Rescue arrangements must be proportionate to the risk — higher risk locations need more resources.
Communicate the assessment findings to every worker before they begin tasks near water.
Emergency service access to the location must be assessed because response times vary dramatically.
Applicable Legislation: CDM Regulations 2015 · Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 · Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974