Litter picking risk assessment

Potential risks

There are a number of risks associated with litter picking.

Potential risks associated with litter picking

Hazard

Who might be harmed and how

Activity risk rating (no controls)

Control measures already in place

Risk rating with control measures

Manual handling

  • Carrying bags, moving bins, moving large and heavy objects, reaching, bending and twisting

Volunteer workers

Musculoskeletal issues from over exertion

High

  • Litter picker sticks and bag hoops provided to avoid bending and ease debris transferral
  • Volunteers to be aware to lift and move items by using their leg muscles to bend – not their backs!
  • Regular breaks are recommended and can be taken at anytime
  • Volunteers are made aware to wear suitable footwear that have good tread such as hiking boots or study trainers
  • Volunteers are made aware not to lift or move anything above their own capability. Report any issues such as moving heavy hazardous items to us.
  • Volunteers are aware to only collect litter that can be transferred easily into black bags

Low

Slips, trips and falls

  • Uneven or slippery ground surfaces, steep banks, shrubs, brambles, tree branches, debris, and dark areas

Volunteer workers

Head injuries, fractures, dislocations, sprains, cuts and bruises

High

  • Volunteers should stay within the pathway boundary and not to venture into banked up areas
  • Volunteers are made aware to wear suitable footwear that have good tread such as hiking boots or study trainers – no open toed shoes
  • Volunteers to be aware of the surface they are walking on and the current weather conditions
  • Litter picking should only take place during daylight hours

Low

Adverse weather

  • Heavy rain – flood, deep puddles or fast flowing water
  • Ice/snow – difficult walking conditions
  • High winds – trees to bend/break
  • Extreme heat – over exposure to UV rays

Volunteer workers

Head injuries, fractures, dislocations, sprains, cuts and bruises, fatigue, dehydration, sun burn

High

  • Volunteers should be aware of the local weather reports and assess if it is suitable to carry out the litter picking. Volunteer to be aware of changing weather conditions during their litter pick
  • Do not litter pick in extreme weather
  • Clothing worn should be appropriate to the weather conditions i.e. sun hat and sun screen during hot weather, waterproof and warm clothing in cold weather
  • Regular breaks are recommended

Low

Biological hazards

  • Dirty water, faeces, vomit, used condoms, used syringes

Volunteer workers

Infections and diseases

High
  • Suitable clothing and study footwear to be worn at all times
  • Use litter pickers at all times – do not use hands
  • Volunteers are recommended to use gloves of at least EN388 standard to ensure they are puncture and tear resistant.
  • Any existing cuts/grazes should be covered with surgical tape or waterproof plaster before starting activity
  • Do not touch any unidentified and potentially hazardous waste and report it.
  • Be aware of personal hygiene and wash hands before eating, drinking or smoking, going to the toilet and handling children. Do not touch your own face prior to washing your hands

Low

Sharp objects

  • Broken glass, syringes, nails, cans sharp twigs

Volunteer workers

Cuts and abrasions

High

  • Suitable clothing and sturdy footwear to be worn at all times
  • Volunteers are recommended to wear gloves of at least standard EN388 and EN374 protect themselves against micro-organisms and be adequately puncture and tear resistant
  • Use litter pickers at all times – do not use hands
  • Do not touch any sharp objects and report it to us online.

Low

Contaminated waste

  • Litter contaminated by hazardous substances

Volunteer workers

Chemical burns, skin irritation, sickness, diarrohea, infections and diseases

Medium

  • Do not handle any can, canister, oil drum, poisons, insecticides, clinical waste, hazardous substances, dead animals, broken glass, condoms, syringes, needles or sharp objects – report it to us using our online report it form.
  • Suitable clothing and sturdy footwear to be worn at all times
  • Be aware of personal hygiene and wash hands before eating, drinking or smoking, going to the toilet and handling children. Do not touch your own face prior to washing your hands

Low

Collisions

  • Vehicles, cyclists, joggers, dogs, other pedestrians

Volunteer workers

Head injuries, fractures, dislocations, sprains, cuts and bruises

Medium

  • Volunteers are advised to be aware of their surroundings and be considerate of other using the route and look before making abrupt changes in direction
  • Follow the highway code at all times
  • Don’t work on the roadside if the speed limit is 40mph or over
  • Don’t litter pick on the highway, roundabout, central reservation or in the road

Low

Lone working

  • Violence/abuse

Volunteer workers

Stress

Low

  • Lone working is not recommended, minimum of 2 persons at any one time
  • Fully charged mobile phone to be carried at all times by volunteers
  • Ensure you inform someone of your whereabouts when out litter picking and an agreed timescale
  • Litter picking should only be carried our during daylight hours
  • Anyone under the age of 16 needs to be supervise by an appropriate adult.

Low

Undisclosed health issues:

  • Diabetes, epilepsy, hay fever and adverse reactions to stings, bites, nettles

Volunteer workers

Stress, ill health and allergies

Low

  • Volunteers who are aware they have underlying health issues should ensure they protect themselves sufficiently during the activity bearing in mind the environment they will be surrounded by
  • It would be prudent to inform a friend that will be with you of any health issues prior to starting the litter pick
  • Carry appropriate equipment and medication if required
  • Do not approach any domestic pets unless agreed by the owner. Try not to disturb any wildlife that you may come across
  • Be aware of your nearest defibrillator - You can see these at www.defibfinder.uk
  • Consider taking a first aid kit

 

Low

Waterourses

Volunteers and rescuers

Drowning, waterborne illnesses

 

  • Don’t entre any rivers, ponds, lake or canals.
  • River banks can be steep and unstable
  • Do not enter into floodwater or pick litter from floodwater as it may be contaminated.

 

Risk rating

Taking into account the potenital risks you should calculate your risk using the likelihood and severity calculation below.

  • Risk = Likelihood × Severity
  • Both likelihood and severity are scored on a scale of 1-3
  • Maximum risk score is therefore 9

Likelihood

Likelihood is the probability of an occurrence considering the control measures that you have in place.

Likelihood score Description
 1 (Low) Where harm is unlikely to occur under normal circumstances. Low expectation of occurrence.
 2 (Medium) Where harm is likely to occur in time or exposure to the hazard exists intermittently or hazardous event occurs occasionally.
 3 (High) Where the hazard is likely to occur imminently or in the very short term, or exposure is permanent or occurs frequently or much evidence of previous harm.

Severity

Severity is how serious a potential risk could be. 

 Severity score  Description
 1 (Low) All other minor injuries – first aid treatment with no permanent harm – minor cuts and bruises
 2 (Medium) Injuries or work related illness where people are unable to undertake their normal work for more than 3 days ; semi permanent harm or injury.
 3 (High) Death, major injury or work related illness, permanent harm or disability.

What does my risk rating mean?

Low risk (1 - 2)

Work can proceed – significant action is not required other than monitoring that things do not change and that existing measures are being monitored and maintained..

Medium risk (3 - 4)

Work may proceed if additional control measures are implemented within strict timescales. These measures and timescales must be proportionate to the potential consequences.

High risk (6 - 9)

Immediate action is requires to control the risk before any further activity.