Pand SafetyHelping Managers to Manage
Department of Education
Pond Safety – Notes for Guidance
Issued by Occupational Safety Unit
Occupational Safety UnitPage 1 of 2Issued July 2003
Pand SafetyHelping Managers to Manage
The educational advantages of pond dipping generally outweighs the hazards and associated risks presented by school / establishment ponds, provided adequate precautions are taken.
Hazards
The most obvious hazard associated with a pond is pupils or passers-by falling in and drowning, or at the very least injuring themselves.
Risks
Most risks occur out of school time, when children and members of the public may approach the pond unsupervised. To avoid the risks as far as possible it is important to limit the size and depth of the pond and to incorporate other safety features outlined below.
School ponds do not need to be deeper than 75 cm with the bulk being marginal shelves at a depth of 25 cm. The placing of large rocks or stones in the pond should be avoided as these could increase the risks of severe injury if anyone falls in.
The edge of the pond should be paved or clearly identified to reduce the risk of a person accidentally slipping in.
Some form of barrier should surround the pond area. A low hedge or rustic fence is a sympathetic solution but brick walls can be used.
The risk of children or members of the public wandering into a pond is greater if the pond is sited near a well used local path or even an unauthorised short cut. And such sites should be avoided where possible.
When pond dipping and other pond related activities are undertaken, teachers should be aware of the very small risk of Weil’s disease. Weil’s disease is an uncommon infection sometimes caught by people involved with natural water. It is a bacterial infection carried in rat’s urine. It is caught by a bacteria entering the body via the skin and mucus membranes of the eyes and mouth or through cuts and abrasions.
The following precautions should be introduced:
Cover all scratches and grazes with waterproof dressings and / or wear plastic gloves. Wash hands after working with water samples, even if gloves are worn. Make sure no food is consumed by anyone who has been working with water samples until they have washed their hands.
A Risk Assessment for the use of the pond should be completed. Guidelines are attached.
Pond Preliminary Risk Assessment
School / Establishment:Pond Size: / Length: / Breadth: / Or Diameter:
Pond Size:
Greatest Depth:
Depth of marginal shelves (in any):
Pond Sides: / Sheer / Angled / (delete as appropriate)
Pond Edging: / Paved / Grass / (delete as appropriate)
Or Other (please specify
Pond Protection: / Wall / Fence / Hedge (delete as appropriate)
Accessible to member of the public (out of hours):
Proximity to Paths (rights of way and otherwise):
Pupil Supervision Arrangements, Precautions and Personal Protective Equipment required for pond use
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Signed …………………………………………………………………………………….
Date …………………………………………………………………………………….
Occupational Safety UnitPage 1 of 2Issued July 2003