Maintain and repair permanent structures for the water environment

This standard covers the maintenance and repair of permanent structures for the water environment. Structures may include bridges, culverts, weirs, revetments, concrete fencing and coastal defences. Work may be undertaken to maintain the integrity of the structure, to increase its lifespan or for safety purposes. Repairs may be temporary or long-term.

When working with power tools or machinery you must be trained and hold the current certification, where required, in line with the relevant legislation.

You must carry out your work in a way that takes account of its impact on the environment.

This standard is for those employees and volunteers working on the maintenance and repair of permanent structures suitable for rivers, coastal areas and waterways.

---

1. assess the risks associated with the site and the proposed work
2. wear suitable clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE)
3. confirm that the planned work to maintain and repair permanent structures for the wate environment is relevant to the condition and use of the structure
4. recognise any circumstances that affect the planned work and take the required action
5. carry out consultation where relevant, with agencies, advisors and documents related to historic structures
6. access the site in accordance with instructions, specifications and relevant legal requirements
7. check that the required quantity and type of materials are available and ready for use
8. select, prepare, use and maintain the tools, equipment, machinery and PPE required, keeping it in a clean and serviceable condition throughout the work
9. prepare the work equipment or machinery by carrying out pre-use checks and adjustments, in accordance with the relevant legislation, instructions and specifications
10. prepare the site in accordance with instructions and specifications
11. place warning signs and barriers in relevant locations
12. confirm that temporary works comply with instructions, specifications and relevant legal requirements and are safe, secure and ready for use
13. carry out your work in accordance with the relevant national legislation, local regulations, guidance, codes of practice and the policies of your organisation
14. carry out work to maintain and repair permanent structures for the water environment in a manner that causes minimal damage to the surrounding area
15. check that your working methods meet any relevant statutory restrictions due to the status of the site
16. maintain biosecurity throughout your work
17. deal with waste and excess materials safely and correctly in accordance with the relevant legislation and requirements of your organisation
18. maintain communication with colleagues and others involved in, or affected by, your work
19. carry out your work in accordance with the relevant environmental, health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, codes of practice and policies of your organisation
20. confirm that your work on the structure is finished to the specifications within the required timescales
21. take the required action in the event of an emergency or any change in circumstances
22. recognise the opportunities to enhance wildlife habitats through modifications to working procedures, and report these to the relevant person
23. report any unexpected findings to the relevant body or person
24. restore the site to a safe condition that is consistent with the surrounding environment
25. complete records as required by the relevant legislation and your organisation

---

1. how to identify hazards and assess risks
2. the type of clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) suitable for the activity
3. how to safely and correctly access sites in accordance with instructions, specifications and relevant legal requirements
4. the instructions and specifications on how to carry out your work
5. how to recognise when maintenance and repair is required for permanent structures for the water environment
6. the impact of wear and tear on the structure
7. the types and quantity of materials that are needed and the methods for preparing such materials
8. the types of tools and equipment required for the work and how to prepare, use, maintain and store these safely and correctly in accordance with instructions and specifications
9. the relevant legal requirements for the preparation and use of work equipment
10. the importance of identifying underground and overhead services and how to identify these
11. the correct use of warning signs and barriers, and methods for setting up and using temporary works
12. the implications for your work of the relevant national legislation, local regulations, guidance, codes of practice and policies of your organisation
13. how to prepare the site and the structure for maintenance and repair
14. the methods and techniques for maintaining and repairing permanent structures for the water environment
15. the potential impact of your work on the surrounding area and how to minimise this
16. the importance of maintaining biosecurity when carrying out your work and the methods for achieving this
17. the relevant legal and organisational requirements for the handling, transport, storage, recycling or disposal of waste and excess materials
18. the importance of maintaining communication with those involved in, or affected by, your work and how this should be done
19. your responsibilities under the current environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, codes of practice and policies of your organisation
20. the opportunities that may arise to enhance wildlife habitats and to whom these should be reported
21. the circumstances that may impact on the operation, and the correct action to take in response to unforeseen circumstances
22. the types of accidental damage or pollution that may occur during operations and the action which must be taken
23. the procedures for reporting discoveries of historic interest
24. the ways in which temporary works must be safely and correctly dismantled
25. how to protect and conserve habitats and historic features during clearing-up activities
26. the importance of restoring the site to a safe condition, consistent with the surrounding environment
27. the legal requirements and those of your organisation for the completion and storage of records

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

​Circumstances that may impact on operations:

• site hazards
• services
• working conditions
• plant breakdowns
• wildlife habitats
• recreational and economic use of the water environment
• water levels and precipitation

Equipment:

• hand tools
• handheld power tools
• mobile plant
• water-borne plant

Instructions and specifications:

• drawings/plans
• site maps/aerial image assessment
• schedules
• method statements
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• manufacturers' guidelines
• legal requirements
• good practice guidelines
• customer requirements
• standard of outcome required
• verbal instructions

* *

Materials:

• concrete
• geotextiles
• steel
• timber
• stone
• ballast
• topsoil
• brick
• blocks

---

---

---

2

---

2025

---

Current

---

Original

---

Lantra

---

LANEnC18

---

Estate Worker

---

9119

---

bridges; culverts; weirs; revetments; concrete fencing; coastal defences

---