Hi All

I was wondering if anyone has a risk assessment they would be willing to share with me that covers litterpicking on a highway.

Any specifics with regard to the parts of Chaper 8 that are relevant would be greatly appreciated!

The litterpickers will be moving along verges etc not static
Road speeds vary from 30 to 60 mph.
Some roads have pavements others are purely grass verges.

Thanks in advance of your assistance ....

If you would care to contact me ‘privately’ I will try to help.

You will already have found out that although there is Ch8 and Streetworks/Roadworks etc, neither are particularly ‘helpful’ with regards to (the transient nature of ) litter picking activities. While there is any amount of HSE guidance (sometimes repetitive, contradictory and occasionally ‘romantic’) for refuse collection, there is no specific HSE guidance on the litter picking activity.

The WISH forum has been trying to create some guidance for a number of years and have yet to publish. What I have seen in draft form didn't inspire me!

As Canopener has already stated litterpicking and other such areas are poorly represented in the guidance areas quoted and when reading the said guidance you see that the disclaimer (I call it a disclaimer anyway) reverts back to the famous words 'undertake a risk assessment' noting also that we cannot easily control the private car drivers out there who have no regard for anything


NB: A company received a prohibition notice recently related to the way the workers crossed the road and worked at the side of the road during their litter picking activities and the solution was very simple but management had not undertaken a proper evaluation otherwise they would have had no problem -- a worker had his heal clipped by a car driver even though the worker was actually on the curb with only the back of his heel sticking out and as usual the car driver did not stop! -- This is the 3rd event that I know of that has happened recently where a car driver has not stopped irrespective of witnesses present!

Quality appraisal of how the works will be undertaken is vital and you can use the guides quoted as references/information but your method of work procedure will be the deciding tool