Working on the tidal Thames can be a risky business, but following a few health and safety rules means that you can protect yourself from potential hazards. Each foreshore site is different, and each group of people working there will have different abilities and requirements. As part of our work on the foreshore, we carry out risk assessments before we work on all our sites, and we will give FROG members working on site a full induction to each site before work starts. The risk assessment helps us decide if the areas we want to work in are safe enough, and allows us to decide whether we can go ahead with site visits. The health and safety checklist is a useful baseline for any activty on the foreshore.

Weils disease warning!

There are a number of potential hazards working near the river Thames – safe access to site; the risk of being caught by the tide and at worst, drowning; slips, trips and falls; injury caused by vegetation such as brambles, giant hogweed and nettles; the danger from discarded hypodermic needles; risk of injury from equipment and illness from contaminated water – and this list is not exhaustive! More detailed information can be found in this section on specific risks from Weils Disease and Giant Hogweed. It is essential that every FROG member attends the Day 1 training event to undergo a full health and safety induction. All the TDP staff will hold first aid certificates, and will be the nominated first aiders for the foreshore training events.

A few essentials:

Make sure your tetanus jab is up-to-date

Wear wellingtons, old clothes, a warm jacket and bring waterproof gloves.

Carry only essentials and preferably in something that can get dirty.

Cover any cuts or abrasions on your hands and feet with waterproof plasters

Never eat, drink or smoke whilst on the foreshore

Never go on the foreshore alone

Always carry a fully charged mobile phone in case you need to call the coastguard/lifeboat

Avoid muddy areas and walk on stone or shingle

Guidelines for Safe Working in Estuaries and Tidal Areas

Information for working in tidal areas provided by the Health & Safety Executive

Tide Tables

Tide tables for the Thames provided by the Port of London Authority