Health & Safety + Biosecurity. H&S: Risk Assessment Know where you are going Carry out a Risk...
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Transcript of Health & Safety + Biosecurity. H&S: Risk Assessment Know where you are going Carry out a Risk...
Health & Safety+
Biosecurity
H&S: Risk Assessment
• Know where you are going• Carry out a Risk Assessment
– day and/or night visits?– Identify hazards on your route
and at your survey site• Use a “survey buddy”
– agree check-in times, contact details
– Carry a mobile phone
H&S: Some considerations
• Follow advice provided (see sheets)• Safety of area• Adder bites and other medical issues• Weather (cold/wet/heat/sun)• Terrain (rough ground, steep ponds)• Other animals!?• Site hazards (tanks, bikes, guns, broken
glass etc.)
H&S: Ponds
• ALL PONDS should be regarded as a potential source of disease
• Do not immerse open cuts• Don’t eat, drink or smoke• Wear suitable gloves where possible and
anyway wash hands after surveying• Consider your impact on the pond!
Biosecurity: amphibian diseases
• Amphibians are in decline – globally• Diseases are contributory
– chytrid fungus– Ranavirus (red leg)
• Change or clean ALL equipment between ponds >1km apart– vehicle tyres?– nets and equipment– boots and clothing
Biosecurity: amphibian diseases
Beware of high risk sites:
• Has amphibian disease has been reported in the area?
• Are non-native species present?
Biosecurity: cleaning
• Veterinary disinfectants can be used
• 4% bleach spray may be more practical
• Helps prevent other problems….
Biosecurity: invasive plants
• Several species of alien aquatic plants alter pond ecology and can cause loss of amphibians, other wildlife… and the pond!
• Crassula (stonecrop)• Parrot’s feather• Azolla (water fern)• Other garden centre invasives!
Biosecurity: invasive plants
Crassula
Biosecurity: invasive plants
Parrot’s feather
Biosecurity: invasive plants
Azolla
Biosecurity: invasive plants
All three!!!
H&S: One last thing…
• Consider insurance…– ARC (where volunteer agreement – for volunteer
surveys only!)– ARG-UK– Wildlife Trust etc. (your employer?)
• A trained volunteer who has signed an ARC volunteer agreement can be accredited for protected species survey.
Photographs
• Photographs used in this presentation are by Ben Driver, Chris Gleed-Owen, Fred Holmes, Phyl King, John Robinson, Will Watson and John Wilkinson
• Copyright of all photographs remains with the photographers and ARC.
• These photographs should not be used for purposes other than NARRS training without the permission of the photographers.