Work safely in an aquatic environment

This standard is about working safely in an aquatic environment. 

It covers understanding the health and safety requirements and policies of the work site as well as 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. It also covers the procedures to take in the event of an accident or emergency.

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

1. follow the relevant legal health and safety regulations, as well as the requirements 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 to those of others
4. take care to protect yourself against injury, disease or other health problems
5. wear clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) that is suitable 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 the equipment and machinery required for the work, according to the manufacturers’ 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 dangerous or 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 the 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 legal requirements and those of your organisation

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

Emergency: An urgent, unexpected, and usually dangerous event or situation that poses an immediate risk to health, life, property, or the environment and requires immediate action.

Hazard: something with the potential to cause harm

Incident: An unintended event or situation that disturbs normal operations and requires a response.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – might include:

• life jackets/buoyancy aids

• wellington boots/waders/wetsuits

• respirators/dust masks

• oxygen tanks

• earmuffs/earplugs

• head protection/hard hats/helmets

• 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:

• 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

• bites/stings

• confined spaces

• sources of power: gases, electricity, compressed air

• slips, trips and falls

• the effect of extreme weather

• lone working