Work safely in an aquatic environment LEGACY

​This standard is about working safely in an aquatic environment.

It covers both understanding the health and safety requirements and policies of the work site and being able to maintain the safety of yourself and others. It includes the importance of continually carrying out risk assessments and taking the relevant action to maintain safe working on the site. You must also be able to follow the required procedures in the event of an accident or emergency.

This standard is for everyone who works in an aquatic environment.

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1. follow the relevant legal health and safety requirements, as well as those of your organisation, when working in an aquatic environment
2. identify hazards and assess the risks to health and safety when working in an aquatic environment
3. work in a way that minimises risks to your own health and safety and that of others
4. take care to protect yourself against injury, disease or other health problems
5. wear suitable clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) for the environment and the work to be undertaken
6. check the condition and effectiveness of personal protective equipment (PPE) and make sure it is kept clean to avoid the spread of invasive species or other pests or diseases
7. apply safe methods of lifting and handling to reduce the risk of injury
8. prepare, use, maintain and store equipment and machinery according to manufacturer's and workplace instructions and the relevant legislation
9. handle, use and store hazardous substances in accordance with instructions and the relevant legislation
10. follow the procedures of your organisation and adopt safe systems of work when working alone or in a potentially threatening situation
11. use and operate communication devices to support your personal safety
12. adjust work to take account of prevailing weather and environmental conditions
13. stop work immediately if there is risk of an accident or injury and take the required action
14. follow the relevant procedures safely and without delay in an emergency situation
15. report and record accidents, incidents and near misses in accordance with the legal requirements and those of your organisation

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1. the main legal responsibilities of your employer for health and safety under the current legislation
2. your legal and organisational responsibility in relation to health and safety
3. the health and safety requirements of your organisation when working in an aquatic environment
4. the effects that work-related accidents, incidents and ill health can have on people and businesses
5. when risk assessments should be conducted and the role of dynamic risk assessment
6. the risks of personal injury, contracting disease or other physical and mental health problems associated with working in an aquatic environment and how these can be minimised
7. the importance of personal protective equipment (PPE) in maintaining safety when working in an aquatic environment
8. the use and correct application of personal protective equipment (PPE)
9. the importance of keeping personal protective equipment clean and the process that should be followed for this
10. the risks of injury associated with lifting and handling and how these can be minimised
11. the safe methods of preparing, using, maintaining and storing equipment and machinery
12. the safe use, handling and storage of hazardous substances, including bottled gases
13. the risks of working in isolation or in remote locations or potentially threatening situations and the need to follow safe systems of work and emergency procedures
14. how to operate communication devices that are required at the work site
15. the risks associated with weather and environmental conditions when working in an aquatic environment
16. the different types of emergencies that may occur when working in an aquatic environment, including accidents, incidents and near misses and the action that should be taken
17. the personal cold-water survival techniques
18. the procedures to follow in an emergency situation
19. the legal requirements and those of your organisation for recording and reporting emergencies

​Hazards – something with the potential to cause harm

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – might include:

• life-jackets/buoyancy aids
• wellingtons/waders
• respirators/dust masks
• ear muffs/plugs
• head protection/hard hats
• gloves
• eye protection
• safety footwear
• high-visibility clothing

Risk – the likelihood of the hazard's potential being realised

In an aquatic environment the most common risks arise from:

• falling into water and drowning
• hypothermia
• impact with floating or submerged objects/debris
• contact with contaminated water e.g. risk of Weil's disease
• machinery or equipment
• lifting and handling
• chemicals and hazardous substances, including microorganisms
• insect bites/stings
• confined spaces
• sources of power: gases, electricity, compressed air
• slips, trips and falls
• the effect of extreme weather
• lone working