MAR/General/TBT-MAR-011

Sea Defence and Coastal Protection

Marine & Coastal Works › General › Sea Defence and Coastal Protection

Presenter		Project
Location		Date

Sea defence and coastal protection works include seawalls, revetments, groynes, and beach nourishment.
Work takes place in the tidal zone with constantly changing water levels and wave conditions.
Wave overtopping can strike workers without warning, sweeping them off structures and into the sea.
Tidal windows restrict working hours — work must be planned around low tide periods.
Marine plant including barges, floating cranes, and jack-up platforms may be used for construction.
Rock armour placement, concrete pours, and steel fixing all occur in wet and slippery coastal conditions.
Environmental permits from the Environment Agency and Marine Management Organisation are typically required.
Ecological restrictions including bird nesting seasons and marine mammal protection affect work timing.
Access to coastal work sites is often via temporary haul roads on soft sand or shingle.
Weather forecasting including wave height, wind speed, and swell period is critical for daily planning.

Drowning risk	Wave overtopping, rising tides, and slippery coastal structures create constant and serious drowning hazards.
Dynamic conditions	Sea conditions change rapidly — what was safe an hour ago can become life-threatening without warning.
Environmental law	Marine and coastal works are among the most heavily regulated construction activities in the UK.

Don't

Plan all work around tidal windows and forecast wave and weather conditions
Wear a personal flotation device at all times when working in the tidal zone
Position rescue equipment including lifebuoys and throw lines at the workface
Monitor wave height and overtopping risk throughout each working shift
Obtain all marine and environmental permits before commencing coastal works
Brief the team daily on tide times, wave forecasts, and evacuation routes
Use non-slip footwear on wet rock, concrete, and coastal structures
Maintain access haul roads on sand and shingle for emergency vehicle access
Comply with ecological restrictions including bird nesting and marine mammal seasons
Evacuate to high ground immediately when sea conditions deteriorate beyond safe limits

DON'T work in the tidal zone without checking the tidal schedule and wave forecast
DON'T turn your back to the sea — waves can overtop structures without warning
DON'T access coastal structures without a personal flotation device
DON'T extend working beyond the safe tidal window to finish a task
DON'T start work without the required marine and environmental permits in place
DON'T ignore deteriorating sea conditions — evacuate before it becomes too dangerous
DON'T allow plant to operate on soft sand or shingle without ground assessment
DON'T disturb nesting birds or marine mammals without ecological licence clearance
DON'T work alone on coastal structures — maintain a buddy system at all times
DON'T rely on yesterday's forecast — check conditions at the start of every shift

See also: Marine Works Safety Awareness | Tidal Working Procedures

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