Risk Assessment for Observatree Tree Health Surveyors (Volunteers)

Risk assessment for Observatree tree health surveyors (volunteers)

Description of Hazard/Risks Description of Potential Harm Risk Prevention and controls to reduce Risk/Hazard Residual Level Risk (Before Controls Medium to large sites not Heat exhaustion, hypothermia, exhaustion, Medium If not familiar with site obtain site map and hazard information Low known well by injury due to slips, trips, falls from owner. If not available carry OS map of area if at all individual – getting possible. On entering site orientate self and take note of lost landmarks. Plan timing so ample time to complete visit during daylight hours. Use lone working system either with WT staff or friends / family and carry charged mobile phone. Stick to path network / boundary unless absolutely necessary to leave.

Slips, trips, falls Cuts, bruises, broken limbs, head injuries High Wear footwear with grip soles. Cancel/curtail visits to sites Low with extreme terrain and/or visits where activity will involve leaving track network in adverse weather conditions or if previous adverse weather has created exceptionally slippery conditions underfoot. Wear hi-viz jacket provided. Plan visit so work will be completed within daylight hours. Carry charged mobile phone.

Adverse weather – extremes Sunburn, heat exhaustion, hypothermia, Medium Cancel / curtail visit, use of sun cream, carry water in hot Trivial of heat/cold, fog, disorientation, cuts, bruises, broken limbs – weather, wear clothing appropriate to weather conditions and snow, hail, heavy rain, potential fatality if struck by falling tree grip sole footwear. Do not leave track network if visibility ice, thunder/lightning, extremely poor. Plan visit so work will be completed within high winds daylight hours. Carry charged mobile phone.

Violence / Intimidation Serious injury, cuts, bruises, broken limbs, Medium Seek permission to access private land in advance, carry Low stress business cards and letter of authority, leave site if feeling

1 intimidated, contact WT staff and police as necessary

Biological hazards – Lyme Serious illness, possible death or Medium Personal hygiene – wash hands before eating, drinking, Low disease, Leptospirosis, irreversible damage to health smoking. Check self for ticks after site visit. Be familiar with tetanus symptoms of diseases

Biological hazards – Serious illness, death Medium Do not pick up needles with bare hands. If needlestick injury Low needlestick injuries occurs gently squeeze are around puncture to encourage ( HIV, Hepatitis) bleeding, hold under running water for at least 5 minutes if at all possible ( if no water use any liquid, including urine!), visit doctor or A&E department asap.

Sites with live contracts / Fatality, major injury, cuts, bruises, broken High Avoid sites where operations are being undertaken, speak to Low practical work being limbs landowner about high risk activities that will be carried out on carried out – injury site and plan visit around this. Use of hi-viz clothing when due to being struck by visiting sites. If your visit does not require entering work site, machinery / falling observe safety signs and do not enter work zone. tree / vehicle

Struck by vehicle when Fatality, major injury, cuts, bruises, broken High Use of hi-viz jacket. Cancel / curtail visit if weather conditions Low walking boundary with limbs are such that visiblity low. Plan visit to ensure work is public road completed in daylight.

6. Further Control Measures and Procedures:

Staff to keep Outlook diary up to date and accurate. Staff to be familiar with WT lone working policy / guidance. When buddy system is used, the buddy must have sufficient information to ensure emergency services will be able to locate lone worker without undue delay.

2 Hazard Table

Table should be used as a guide to PROBABILITY OF HARM ascertain level of risk with each identified hazard SEVERITY OF HARM probable possible improbable (near miss, or Incident causing harm (reasonable to believe an incidence may (incident unlikely to occur, or only in an has occurred or is likely to) occur, but not frequently) unlikely combination of circumstances) SEVERE - fatality, or serious injury Actual Risk: HIGH Actual Risk: HIGH Actual Risk: MEDIUM to more than one person Hazard must be included in risk Hazard must be included in risk Hazard must be included in risk assessment assessment assessment SERIOUS - serious injury, or Actual Risk: HIGH Actual Risk: MEDIUM Actual Risk: LOW irreversible damage to health Hazard must be included in risk Hazard must be included in risk Hazard must be included in risk assessment assessment assessment. MODERATE - minor injury, but Actual Risk: LOW Actual Risk: TRIVIAL Actual Risk: TRIVIAL requiring first aid or, health effect Hazard must be included in risk Do not include hazard in risk assessment Do not include hazard in risk assessment reversible on treatment assessment. NOT SIGNIFICANT - minor injuries Actual Risk: LOW Actual Risk: TRIVIAL Actual Risk: TRIVIAL such as cuts and bruises Hazard must be included in risk Do not include hazard in risk assessment Do not include hazard in risk assessment assessment.