Public safety at UK reservoirs

Overview

The Environment Agency is responsible for the safety of staff and the public at 212 statutory reservoirs. Balancing safety with accessibility in public open spaces can be a challenge. The presenters will look at the processes to assess and review public safety; applying the toddler test; the constant battle of maintaining control measures; and present case studies which demonstrate the many challenges associated with managing public safety at reservoirs.

United Utilities has been working with the Greater Manchester and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Services to identify what can be done to help reduce the number of drowning incidents in North West reservoirs. The talk will present a scheme to install throwlines at eight reservoirs as well as ongoing programmes of work which include creating a signage standard with input from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA); increasing the amount of guidance to catchment controllers on reservoir risk assessments; increasing the traceability of action closeout; and increasing support to staff who have to respond in the immediate aftermath of an incident.

Following the presentations, in addition to the usual question and answer session, members will be expressly invited to add their views and opinions on how the reservoir industry can improve public safety at reservoirs.