Welsh Harp Water Voles – Health & Safety Declaration

Habitat suitability surveyors are vital in our mission to discover whether or not the Welsh Harp Reservoir is a suitable place to reintroduce Water Voles.

As the UK’s fastest declining mammal species, Water Voles have suffered a huge decline as a result of habitat degradation and predation by invasive American mink. 

They are a keystone species in our rivers. Browsing on a wide range of plants and dispersing seeds, they play a vital role in a biodiverse ecosystem.

So we want to bring the community together in a collective effort to restore this species back to its historical range!

The Welsh Harp, as the largest tree lined body of water in Greater London, represents an opportunity. At first glance, the reed beds and muddy banks look like a great place to spot a Water Vole. However, in order to fully understand the site’s capacity for a Water Vole reintroduction, we need to assess its suitability.

To do this we need your help!

Hazards
Identified		 Risk Factor Measures Required To Control The Risk
Water – Falling in reservoir High
  1. All surveyors should exercise extreme caution when near the edge.
  2. If surveying inaccessible areas, surveyors must be aware of vegetation concealing the water edge
  3. In the event of falling in, checkers should remain calm and reach the bank as quickly as possible.
  4. Surveyors must be in pairs/groups.
  5. If, after exposure to river water, you feel unwell, notify your GP in case of Weil’s disease infection.
  6. All Surveyors should carry a mobile phone with signal and a saved ICE number in case of emergency.
Plants – Brambles, nettles High
  1. Wear long sleeves and trousers to avoid getting scratched or stung.
Water – General injury/emergency  Medium
  1. All Surveyors should carry a charged mobile phone with signal and a saved ICE number in case of emergency.
  2. Appropriate footwear to be worn (i.e. closed toes, effective grip, water repellent if possible).
Uneven Ground – Slips/trips/falls Medium
  1. Appropriate footwear (i.e. closed toes, effective grip, water repellent) to be worn.
  2. All volunteers should carry a charged mobile phone with signal and a saved ICE number in case of emergency.
  3. Walk at a comfortable pace, never rush.
Weather – Dehydration Low
  1. Ample drinking water should be taken on any surveys, especially during hot weather.
  2. Sunscreen/hats should be worn whenever necessary.
  3. No alcohol to be consumed at any time before or during surveys.
Weather – Hypothermia Low
  1. Appropriate clothing to be worn or taken with you.
  2. All camera checkers should carry a charged mobile phone with signal and a saved ICE number in case of emergency.
  3. In the event of a surveyor displaying persistent symptoms of hypothermia, postpone the survey and proceed with the following: move somewhere warm, replace wet clothes and wrap in blankets. Provide a warm drink. If no improvements are seen or the situation worsens call 999.
Water – Pollution/storm discharge/waste water discharge Medium
  1. Avoid getting in the water, unless essential, particularly after high rainfall events and known waste water discharge events.
  2. Wash hands thoroughly after any contact with the river water and prior to eating or drinking.
  3. If sickness persists after exposure to river water, notify your GP in case of waterborne diseases.

Health & Safety Declaration