Irrigation Install & Maintenance Risk Assessment Template

Typical hazards & measures

• Chemical adhesives and primers — Use in ventilated areas away from ignition. Wear nitrile gloves and goggles; avoid skin contact. Decant minimal quantities, close lids promptly, and store upright in COSHH trays. Provide spill kit, dispose of rags safely, and wash hands before eating, drinking, or leaving site.
• Working at height on tanks and overhead runs — Use inspected podiums or towers on level bases; forbid makeshift steps. Maintain three points of contact, secure tools, and protect edges. Exclude the drop zone below. Avoid leaning from ladders; reposition instead. Wear fall protection where specified by the task risk.
• Working near open water — Plan access with barriers, rescue aids and throw-lines; brief a rescue plan and buddy system. Wear suitable footwear and, where risk dictates, buoyancy aids. Manage algae and slippery edges, control pumps to prevent sudden flows, and maintain good hygiene after contact.
• Public access and site security — Fence trenches and equipment, lock tanks/valve boxes, and remove keys from controllers. Use clear signage and maintain clean pedestrian routes. Secure chemicals and fuels. Brief crew on safeguarding expectations and polite public engagement on occupied sites.
• Environmental spills and pollution — Store fuels and chemicals in bunded trays away from drains. Fit backflow devices, use drip trays during fueling, and keep spill kits accessible. Stop work on uncontrolled leaks, contain at source, and notify promptly. Dispose of rinse water and contaminated waste lawfully.