UNBC POLICY FOR
WORKING AROUND WATER
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to establish proper
safety requirements for working around water and particularly for instream work
during field sampling operations. It will help ensure that those involved in
such activities are familiar with safe wading procedures and emergency
preparedness. Working around water can be an inherently hazardous activity
(hypothermia, drowning risk) for which safety must be the primary concern.
Wading Policy
1. General Safety
a)
Field sampling operations
around water are not to be carried out alone. A minimum “ team” size is two
people, one of whom must be the “crew leader” and the other “crew members”.
b)
Personnel must wear
appropriate clothing and equipment in accordance with “Personal Protective
Equipment Requirements for Wading/ Instream Work” as defined below.
c)
All instream crews must have a
First Aid kit on site during wading operations.
d)
Everyone has the
responsibility to work in a manner that is safe for themselves and their
co-workers.
e)
The crew leader is the
recognized authority and operational decision-maker. Crew members have the duty
to comply with all of the crew leader's instructions concerning their health and
safety and to report to the crew leader anything that is likely to be hazardous
to their health or safety or to that of other employees or persons granted
access to the work place.
2. Training
a)
All employees undertaking
instream sampling or wading operations must be familiar with the hazards
associated with those activities and agree to use common sense and safe wading
practices during sampling.
b)
Crew leader and crew members
must have up-to-date Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and First Aid
training.
c)
Additional training may be
required if sampling conditions warrant. Training that may be required includes
UNBC Field Safety Orientation, Wilderness First Aid, Occupational First Aid
Transportation Endorsement, and Swift Water Rescue Training.
3. Emergency Response Procedures
a)
Each electrofishing team must
establish a means of emergency communication in order to provide backup
response. This plan must include, but not necessarily be limited to, emergency
phone numbers for the area of operation, best and closest means of
communication, evacuation route to nearest medical facility, and the role of
each crew member in the event of an emergency.
b)
All crew members must be aware
of and able to implement the emergency response plan.
Personal Protective Equipment Requirements for Wading
a)
Leak-free chest waders
(neoprene, heavy weight polyurethane or PVC or high-quality breathables)
b)
Non-slip footwear (felt wading
shoe or boot, as well as stream wading cleat);
c)
Wading belt (nylon or rubber
acceptable, worn on outside of waders);
d)
Polarized sunglasses (side
shields or ‘wrap around’ style is/are recommended) and a hat with a visor is
recommended (e.g., baseball cap style).
e)
Personal Floatation Devices
(PFDs) must be worn where the crew leader considers the water is of sufficient
depth or velocity for a PFD to be effective as protection from risk of drowning.
PFDs must be approved by Transport Canada or Canadian Coast Guard.
Electrofishing should not be carried out where water depth is greater than waist
deep.
f)
In some situations, a wading
staff might be useful as a “third leg” to help stabilize personnel during stream
crossing or other wading operations.
Safety Procedures for Wading Operations
1. Before Heading Out
a)
The crew leader must ensure
all members have received instruction in the fundamentals of wading safety and
working around water.
b)
It is the crew leader’s
responsibility to ensure that all personnel are properly outfitted for the
intended work.
c)
Where available, personnel
should attempt to identify any information on known instream hazards at the
intended field site, including current discharge stage (e.g.,
http://www.wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/index_e.html).
d)
Each instream sampling team
must establish a means of emergency communication in order to provide backup
response (as described above).
2. Preparatory Procedures in the Field
a)
A crew leader must be
designated for all sampling activities near water.
b)
All crew members must be
equipped with the personal equipment detailed in the “Personal Protective
Equipment Requirements for Wading” section.
c)
Each instream work site must
be visually inspected for hazards such as deep holes, submerged logs, etc.
before commencing wading operations.
d)
In order to aid in identifying
underwater hazards, all crew members must be equipped with polarized sunglasses.
Glasses also protect against eye injury caused by sticks and branches. Wide
brimmed hats or peaked caps are also beneficial in increasing the effectiveness
of polarized glasses.
e)
Using visible landmarks,
personnel must assess flow stage for the waterbody and continue to monitor for
changes in water level during sampling operations.
f)
Clear command signals must be
established between crew members prior to beginning operation. Crew members must
inform the crew leader of any dangerous situations. Do not go into water that is
above the level you have experienced before and are physically capable of
handling.
3. Operational Procedures
a)
Operate slowly and carefully.
Footing in most streams is poor and most falls occur when crew members are
hurrying. Operations should cease when fatigue sets in.
b)
Plan a route that minimizes
your exposure to the strongest currents/ deepest water. Sand and gravel bottoms
are usually secure and safe bottoms to wade on. Avoid standing on large, smooth
rocks.
c)
Plan on generally working in a
downstream to upstream direction, ensuring solid footing before shifting
positions
d)
Be aware of floating debris,
changing water levels.
e)
In shallow water, less than
knee deep, you may be able to walk "normally" with a modified, wide stance. As
water gets deeper and footing becomes obscured by water depth or turbidity,
sidestepping will help maintain a wide, stable base.
f)
In moderate currents, position
your feet so that you are facing upstream with your body side-on to the current
to brace yourself and reduce your profile in the current.
g)
When crossing streams, it is
easier and safer to move at a slight downstream angle with the current than to
move directly across or upstream against the current.
h)
In difficult situations, take
small shuffling steps, angling your body slightly upstream. If using a wading
staff, position it upstream of you maintaining two points of contact with the
bottom at all times.
i)
In particularly difficult
situations, use a buddy system in which you and a partner cross the stream
together arm in arm, one upstream of the other so that you are supporting each
other
j)
If you do happen to lose your
footing and begin to float downstream, don’t try to swim. Bring your knees up
and roll over on your back with your feet downstream, working your way to the
sides or to a suitable place to get out.