Environmental Services created this risk assessment on: 30 January 2026 (Corporate Health & Safety Review Date 30 January 2028).

Department: Neighbourhoods

Location: Civic Offices, 2 Watling Street, Bexleyheath, DA6 7AT

Date completed: 30 January 2026

Directorate: Place

Service: Environmental Services

Manager Completing Form: Paul Faulkner

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, 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
Salt spreading across the boroughSlips, trips, and falls (ice, snow, uneven surfaces)Salt Wardens or members of the public
  • salt spreading to take place only on public footways which are tarmac or paved and suitable for pedestrian access
  • salt wardens must not work on private driveways, private land, alleyways or underpasses
  • work during daylight hours, or in well-lit areas
  • wear suitable, sturdy, enclosed footwear with good grip (for example walking boots)
  • take particular care on slopes, dropped kerbs, steps and tactile paving
  • do not walk on areas where surface conditions cannot be clearly seen (for example snow covering uneven ground)
  • do not leave salt containers, shovels or other equipment where they may create a trip hazard
  • carry a charged mobile phone in case of emergency – call 999 in an emergency
  • carry identification and an emergency contact number
  • do not leave any items where they may create a tripping hazard (for example leave full sacks of litter against something like a tree or lamp column, rather than in the middle of the pavement)
 --
Salt spreading across the boroughManual handling injuries (lifting/carrying salt containers)Salt Wardens
  • salt containers provided by the Council should not be overfilled
  • only carry loads that can be managed comfortably
  • use smaller quantities of salt and make multiple trips if necessary
  • adopt safe lifting techniques – bend knees, keep back straight
  • do not attempt to move or decant salt if conditions are unsafe
 --
Salt spreading across the boroughWorking in icy or snowy weather (cold exposure / hypothermia)Salt Wardens
  • wear suitable warm clothing appropriate to cold and wet weather
  • wear layered clothing rather than one heavy layer
  • use waterproof outer clothing where possible
  • have access to warm drinks
  • do not undertake salt spreading during extreme weather conditions (for example blizzards, freezing rain, high winds)
 --
Salt spreading across the boroughVehicular traffic when working on footwaysSalt Wardens or road users
  • salt spreading must be undertaken from the pavement (footway) only, never from the carriageway
  • no salt spreading to take place on roads or where footways directly adjoin high-speed roads
  • wear upper-body high visibility clothing (hi-vis vest or jacket)
  • remain alert to traffic behaviour
  • stand back from kerb edge when vehicles pass
  • use safe crossing practices at junctions and dropped kerbs
  • face oncoming traffic where possible
 --
Salt spreading across the boroughLone workingSalt Wardens
  • avoid lone working where possible
  • inform a family member or friend where you are working and expected return time
  • confirm safe return on completion
  • do not enter isolated or poorly lit locations
  • carry a charged mobile phone at all times
 --
Salt spreading across the boroughMisuse of salt (environmental damage / inappropriate use)Environment / public
  • salt is to be used only on public footways
  • salt must not be used on private driveways, gardens or private land
  • use salt sparingly and only where ice presents a genuine slip risk
  • do not spread salt near watercourses, ponds or drainage channels
 --
Salt spreading across the boroughContact with members of the public (verbal abuse or confrontation)Salt Wardens
  • do not engage in confrontation
  • if challenged or made to feel uncomfortable, cease activity and leave the area
  • report serious incidents to the police if required
  • avoid working alone where possible
 --
Salt spreading across the boroughAggressive dogsSalt Wardens
  • do not approach dogs
  • avoid areas where aggressive dogs are present
  • remain vigilant for dogs off leads
  • adopt recommended posture if confronted by a dog (do not run, avoid eye contact, retreat slowly)
  • seek medical attention if bitten and report incidents to police
 --
Salt spreading across the boroughPhysical exertion (fatigue, strain) 
  • only undertake salt spreading if physically able
  • work within personal capability
  • take frequent breaks
  • stop activity if feeling unwell, fatigued or unsafe
 --

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?