Standard Risk Assessment No. 9/14

Code of practice

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Activity

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Location/s

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Person/s covered

14

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Moth trapping

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Reserves or other sites with the landowners permission

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Staff, volunteers, public attending the event

Common Hazards / Risk / Existing controls / Likelihood / Severity / Risk Rating

Moth traps & generators

Manual handling of heavy generators / Trips, slips, falls, injuries to body. / Ensure proper/safe lifting. Plan before any heavy/awkward item is moved. Do not overload. / Unlikely / Major / Low
Cables and power supply / Electric shock if cables unsafe.
Electrical fires - vegetation catching fire.
Trips over cables / Ensure cabling is safe and wiring is correct before use. Check cabling for any evidence of damage to insulation eg from abrasion, burns, or even gnawing by rabbits. Ensure equipment has been serviced. Check conditions are suitable. Prevent rain from contact with electricity supply and ensure that connections are waterproof. Consider using a residual current device for extra safety. Use cable covers where cables cross pathways etc. / Unlikely / Major / Low
Generator, Tilley lamp and fuel / Burns from hot bulbs, lamps and generator exhaust. Fuel fire. Contamination with fuel eg on hands / Ensure equipment has been serviced. Place lamps in safe and appropriate situation. Use a container to limit fuel spillage. Wash/clean hands after use. Carry wipes. / Unlikely / Major / Low
Lead acid batteries for Actinic traps / Acid may cause burns when in contact with skin. / Avoid contact. Use protective equipment as necessary. / Unlikely / Major / Low
MV light bulbs / Potential cumulative damage to eyes from UV rays. Dazzle from bright light source. / Follow manufacturers’/suppliers’ instructions.
Do not look directly at bulb. Consider wearing safety glasses/sunglasses as a precaution. Take particular care if using the sheet method for trapping. Allow time for eyes to adjust to darkness before moving around site. / Unlikely / Major / Low
MV light bulbs / Damaged bulbs may, on rare occasions, burst, scattering glass fragments. / Check all bulbs for hairline fractures, before use. Use a rain shield in wet conditions and avoid getting too close to the trap during heavy rain. Use of bulb guards is recommended. Ensure that the bulb coating/glass filter is not cracked or removed. Replace bulb if damaged. Have gloves and a bag available so can dispose of broken glass safely (take to a registered tip). / Unlikely / Major / Low
Toxic substances
Killing/preserving fluids such as ethyl acetate and ammonia / Danger from inhalation. Potential risk of explosion. Harmful when contact with skin. / Avoid inhalation and ensure you are in a well-ventilated area when using these substances. Read label on bottle and follow instruction. / Unlikely / Major / Low
Sugar/wine ropes / May attract wasps and hornets. / Prepare ropes well in advance. Check treated ropes etc. before touching. Take wipes to clean hands afterwards. / Possible / Slight / Low

Environment & biohazards

Hornets and bees/wasps / Stinging, biting, anaphylactic shock. / Check traps before collecting moths.
If stung and develop anaphylactic shock go to hospital immediately. / Unlikely / Major / Low
Animal hazards: stinging/biting insects, ticks, adders, livestock. / Stings, bites, allergic reactions, Lyme disease, bites, kicks. Subsequent infection. / Use an insect repellent. Identify any hazards before the event and site the trap away from these if appropriate (eg livestock, wasp nests). Use an insect repellent. Wear suitable clothing; check for ticks after event & know what to do if present. / Possible / Slight / Low
Plant hazards: eg pollen; spores; thorns (brambles, blackthorn etc); nettles; other irritant plants. / Hay fever, asthma. Stings, rash, scratches, thorns, subsequent infection. / Identify any hazards before the event and site the trap away from these. / Possible / Slight / Low
Lone working (eg when setting up/collecting equipment) / Rain, lightning, mist, low cloud, snow, wind. Disorientation (eg. at night near cliffs) stranding, hypothermia. / Check weather reports & change/cancel itinerary if appropriate. Wear appropriate clothing (waterproofs, boots, hat). Good lone worker system*. Carry and drink water. Take a colleague if working near cliffs or other hazardous sites. / Possible / Slight / Low
Working in darkness/at night on uneven/difficult terrain: mud, slippery paths; tree stumps, branches, dense vegetation; streams, ponds, bogs; barbed wire; slopes, screes, cliffs; grykes, fissures, shafts. / Trips, slips, falls, entrapment, injuries, loss of consciousness, concussion, exhaustion, hypothermia, disorientation. / Good lone worker system if applicable *. Carry mobile phone. Identify hazardous locations before the event. Exercise caution & keep safety assessment of site up to date. Appropriate footwear & clothes. Carry torches and spare batteries. / Possible / Major / Medium

*If you are lone working, plan your work and travel arrangements accordingly. Use a ‘Buddy system’ i.e. advise someone else (partner/spouse/friend) of your movements, and ensure that person knows what to do in the event of an emergency. Give your Buddy an approximate time when you will be back from the field and contact them on your return. If you do not possess a mobile phone, find out where the nearest working telephone is located.

Minimum review period / Initial assessment / Review 1 / Review 2 / Review 3 / Review 4
1 year / Date / 29/03/2010 / 28/03/2011
Signed (Head of) / Mark Parsons
Countersigned (SMT) / Martin Warren

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