Keeping Everyone Safe

We are committed to providing and maintaining a healthy, safe working environment for all our volunteers and any other people who may be affected by our activities.   Our Volunteer Support team can help with any questions you have about health, safety and writing paperwork. We also have a large library of example risk assessments, method statements and project plans for volunteers to use. 

All volunteers should be aware of and have read IWA’s Health and Safety Policy. 

Risk Assessments and Method Statements

Activity organisers must prepare risk assessments and method statements to clearly show how they are going to carry out the work safely.  For more information about what’s needed click the link below.  

Safety doesn’t happen by accident. You must report all incidents, accidents, near misses and any other issues whilst volunteering or carrying out activities on behalf of IWA. All accidents and incidents can be reported using the accident reporting forms. Don’t forget to also record any near-misses.

Please keep reporting. You won’t get in trouble,  but if we don’t know about accidents/near-misses we can’t change things!

• It can prevent something similar happening again and causing harm.
• It alerts IWA to hazards we might not been aware of.
• It helps create a safe working environment for everyone on a canal restoration site.

How do I report accidents?
All accidents and incidents can be reported using the accident reporting forms – see below. When you have filled out the form please send it, as soon as possible, to: The Inland Waterways Association, Unit 16B Chiltern Court, Asheridge Road, Chesham, HP5 2PX or email a copy to [email protected]