Corporate Health & Safety created this risk assessment on: 30 January 2024 (Corporate Health & Safety Review Date 30 January 2026).

Department: Neighbourhoods

Location: Foots Cray Depot

Date completed: 30 January 2024

Directorate: Place

Service: Environmental Services

Manager Completing Form: Calum Boyd

Overall risk rating: Low

Instructions:

  1. This applies to all work activities that fall under this particular task
  2. If this risk assessment does not cover all of the hazards and existing control measures required relevant to your service, you should add them below at ‘Other risks (please detail)’ and notify the Corporate Health and Safety Team by sending the risk assessment attached to the email
  3. If further controls are necessary, these should be recorded in the ‘Additional controls to reduce risk’ column, and a revised lower score given
  4. Please communicate this risk assessment to all your staff e.g. via email, team meetings etc, evidencing how you do this
  5. Review the risk assessment annually after an accident/incident or significant changes to the workplace or working processes

Terminology:

  • Activity - The type of work being undertaken e.g. use of a piece of electrical equipment or machinery
  • Hazard - Something with the potential to cause harm. Harm can be physical, chemical, biological or psychological
  • Control Measures - Actions taken to prevent hazard being realised. Control measures can include such areas as training, supervision, safe systems of work, maintenance procedures, physical measures such as guarding and personal protective equipment
  • Likelihood – the chances of harm occurring on a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being highly unlikely and 5 being highly likely
  • Risk Rating - Multiply the likelihood figure by the severity figure to get the risk rating after the existing control measures have been considered
  • Severity – the level of harm/injury caused by the accident or incident, on a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being No injury and 5 being a fatality

Likelihood (L) × Severity (S) = Risk Rating (RR):

Possible severity

5 Fatality

4 Major injury

3 Hospital treatment

2 First aid required

1 No injury

Possible likelihood

5 Highly likely

4 Likely

3 Possible

2 Unlikely

1 Highly unlikely

 L = 1L = 2L = 3L = 4L = 5
S = 112345
S = 2246810
S = 33691215
S = 448121620
S = 5510152025
RATINGACTION
15 to 25 = Very highWork should not be undertaken without reducing risk
10 to 12 = HighAs above
8 to 9 = ModerateWork fine to continue. Additional controls should be considered
4 to 6 = LowWork fine to continue with existing controls
1 to 3 = Very lowAs above
ActivityNature of hazard and potential injuriesPersons at riskExisting control measuresCurrent risk rating - L / S / RRAdditional controls to reduce riskRevised risk rating - L / S / RR
Litter picking across the boroughSlips, trips, and fallsLitter pickers or members of public
  • Litter picking to take place only on public footways which are either tarmac or paved or suitable quality for walking
  • Do not litter pick in private alleyways or underpasses
  • Work during daylight hours, or in well-lit areas
  • Wear suitable, sturdy, enclosed footwear with good grip
  • Consider whether the area to be cleaned has any slippery surfaces or slopes and only work if an area if it is safe to do so
  • Only litter-pick where there are wide verges or pavements
  • Take extra care if near any water hazards such as ponds, rivers, or streams
  • Avoid reaching into ditches to remove litter unless it can be safely reached with a litter picker
  • Do not walk on areas where you cannot see what is underneath e.g. undergrowth
  • Do not leave any items such as litter pickers and plastic bags where they may create a tripping hazard e.g. leave full sacks of litter against something like a tree or lamp column, rather than in the middle of the pavement
  • Carry a charged mobile phone in case of emergency. In an emergency call 999
  • Carry identification with a contact number in case of emergency
  • Do not enter an area or attempt to litter pick an area where works are restricted, already taking place (for example footway works) or where the public do not have a right of entry
2 / 3 / 6--
Litter picking across the boroughSharp objects (Injury from things like hypodermic needles, broken bottles, and thorns) 
  • Litter picking should only be carried out using a litter picker. If you can’t reach an item with your litter-picker, then leave it
  • Do not use your hands to collect litter, even if you are wearing gloves (Litter pickers and gloves are provided by Council)
  • Do not reach into hedges or undergrowth to prevent injury to your face, eyes, or skin from things like hypodermic needles, broken bottles, and thorns
  • Do not collect hypodermic needles. Report location to Council on 020 8303 7777
  • Double bag items such as broken bottles before placing in the plastic sack, to prevent the sack from splitting
  • Avoid compressing collected rubbish in sacks
  • Check that your tetanus vaccinations are up to date in case you ever get an injury that breaks the skin. Further details can be found on the NHS website
  • Any accidental piercing by syringe should be immediately treated at medical practice or A&E
1 / 3 / 3--
Litter picking across the boroughHazardous waste, asbestos, chemical containers, and drug related litter  
  • Drug-related litter, including hypodermic needles and other hazardous items, such as asbestos or an unknown liquid should not be removed under any circumstances. Note the location and report to Council on 020 8303 7777. If in doubt, report it rather than removing it
  • Do not attempt to touch/remove chemical containers (empty or not) or corrugated sheeting/broken or otherwise (this could be asbestos)
1 / 3 / 3--
Litter picking across the boroughHygiene and 
potential 
contact with Bio Hazards – dog
faeces, vomit
and used condoms
(Illness such as toxoplasmosis, e. coli and roundworm, Leptospirosis (Weil's disease)		 
  • Look out for dog fouling
  • Only remove litter using a litter picker, even if wearing gloves
  • Participants to wear appropriate PPE including gloves and sensible outdoor clothing and footwear keeping hands, arms and legs covered
  • Participants to wear plasters to cover any existing cuts on hands
  • Participants to wash hands and forearms before eating, drinking, smoking, or going to the toilet and on completion of litter picking activity
1 / 3 / 3--
Litter picking across the boroughHeavy items (manual handling injury)  
  • Do not overfill a plastic sack with litter, making it heavy to lift
  • Bend your legs and keep your back straight when lifting the full sack
  • Please refer to the Manual Handling Operations Regulations: A Brief Guide, that can be found at HSE website
  • Remove litter only and not larger items, these should be left and reported to the Council
2 / 2 / 4--
Litter picking across the boroughLive or dead animals 
  • Do not remove live or dead animals. Report dead animals to Council for removal
  • Injured animals should be reported to the RSPCA
1 / 1 / 1--
Litter picking across the boroughWeather (Effects of cold - hypothermia) 
  • Wear suitable clothing to keep warm in cold weather
  • It is better to wear more thin layers rather than fewer thick layers
  • Have regular warm drinks
  • Do not attempt to litter pick if there is extreme weather (e.g., high winds, heavy rain, snow etc)
1 / 3 / 3--
Litter picking across the boroughWeather (Effects of heat – hyperthermia) 
  • Wear suitable outdoor clothing that does not expose bare skin areas
  • Wear a hat and use sunscreen on exposed skin
  • Ensure there is adequate water to prevent dehydration
  • Avoid over exposure to the sun, particularly during the middle of the day when it is at its strongest
  • Do not wear sandals or flips flops. Enclosed footwear should be worn at all times when litter picking
1 / 3 / 3--
Litter picking across the boroughVehicular traffic when Litter picking on the pavement/footway 
  • Only work from the pavement (footway) and never in the road (carriageway)
  • Litter picking beside roads to be carried out with extreme caution. No litter picking is to be carried out on any road with a speed limit above 30mph.
  • Wear upper body hi-vis clothing (hi-vis vests are provided by Council)
  • Be alert to abnormal traffic behaviour
  • Stand back and watch traffic pass if it is in proximity
  • Face on-coming traffic where possible
  • When crossing site entrances or road junction ensure safe crossing practices i.e. looking both ways thoroughly
  • Carry a charged mobile phone in case of emergency. In an emergency call 999
1 / 5 / 5--
Litter picking across the boroughLone working on footway 
  • Avoid working alone where possible
  • Let someone know where you’re working and what time you will return home
  • Let them know when you have safely returned home
  • Only work from the pavement (footway) and never in the road (carriageway)
  • Carry a charged mobile phone in case of emergency. In an emergency call 999.
2 / 3 / 6--
Litter picking across the boroughContact with harmful vegetation or insects (Irritation to skin and eyes)  
  • Avoid contact with harmful plants such as stinging nettles and ivy. Use a litter picker, gloves and ensure that your legs and feet are covered
  • First aid – obtain medical attention if severe symptoms develop
  • Avoid reaching into hedges or undergrowth in such a way as to expose face, eyes, skin to scratches from thorns/branches. If litter cannot be removed safely with a litter picker, leave it
  • Participants to be mindful of wildlife, in the spring through to late summer, avoid disturbing animals and wild birds that may be nesting and be wary of wasp nests
2 / 3 / 6--
Litter picking across the boroughPhysical exertion (Exhaustion, injury)  
  • Ensure that you are healthy enough to litter pick and check with your doctor if necessary
  • Work within your own capabilities
  • Take frequent breaks
1 / 3 / 3--
Litter picking across the boroughChildren litter picking 
  • Children under 18 require consent from parent/guardian and should be supervised by an adult. 1:1 ratio
  • The parent/guardian must be in receipt and have read this risk assessment fully as they are to apply the full risk assessment to the underage litter picker
2 / 3 / 6--
Litter picking across the boroughAggressive people 
  • Cease litter picking if you encounter anyone who makes you feel uncomfortable or that is acting suspiciously and leave the location. Do not approach them
  • Report any suspicious behaviour to the police. It is recommended that volunteers do not work alone at any time during the activity
  • Do not trespass onto private property whilst litter picking
3 / 1 / 3--
Litter picking across the boroughAggressive dogs 
  • Do not approach dogs whilst litter picking
  • Avoid areas if any evidence of aggressive dogs
  • Volunteers to maintain vigilance for dogs off leads
  • Children to always remain under adult supervision and within sight of adults
  • Adopt recommended posture if confronted by a dog – do not look in eyes, look down, do not run, pull limbs into body
  • Retreat slowly
  • Visit A&E if bitten or attacked
  • Report attack to the Police and refer to the government guidance on controlling dogs in public if you feel this is necessary: Report a dog
2 / 3 / 6--
Litter picking across the boroughCOVID-19 ExposureLitter pickers or members of public 
  • Always follow Government guidance on Social Distancing and any other public safety guidance in addition to this Risk Assessment
  • Anyone with symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as COVID-19, are requested not to attend the clean-up event as other participants could be at risk
2 / 3 / 6--
Other risks (please detail)------

Notes

Follow the general principles of prevention for health and safety:

Can the risk be avoided or removed?

If not, what precautions can be taken to reduce the risk, so far as is reasonably practicable? Evaluate that risk in a risk assessment.

Can the risk be combated at source? i.e. can safer equipment be purchased?

Has the work been adapted to the individual? (work design and its potential effect on health)

Has advantage been made of technical safety improvements?

Can the dangerous be replaced by a less dangerous method or equipment, without creating any fresh hazards?

Is there an overall coherent prevention policy on technology, organisation of work, conditions, relationships and other work environmental factors? Has priority been given to collective protection measures to all staff over individual measures?

Has adequate information, instruction and training been given? Is there supervision?