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Volunteer Health & Safety : Waterborne Disease & Biosecurity Protocols

River restoration is rewarding, but working in UK waterways exposes you to biological hazards and environmental risks. Due to agricultural runoff, sewage overflows, and invasive hitchhikers, our rivers require strict safety measures.

You must read, understand, and follow these safety and biosecurity rules before completing our volunteer registration and waiver form below.

Section 1: The Core Human Health Risks

• Leptospirosis (Weil’s Disease): Entered through skin abrasions or eyes/mouth. Starts with flu-like symptoms but can lead to liver and kidney failure.

• E. coli & Gastrointestinal Infections: Caused by swallowing contaminated water. Results in severe diarrhoea, stomach cramps, and vomiting.

• Cryptosporidiosis & Giardiasis: Microscopic parasites from livestock waste causing prolonged, severe watery diarrhoea and exhaustion.

• Hepatitis A: A viral liver infection from sewage-contaminated water causing jaundice (yellow skin/eyes), dark urine, and extreme fatigue.

• Blue-Green Algae (Cyanobacteria): Present in warm, stagnant water. Direct contact causes skin rashes, eye irritation, and vomiting if swallowed.

• Tetanus: Submerged metal and riverbank soil carry tetanus bacteria. Puncture wounds can lead to severe muscle spasms.

Section 2: Biosecurity & Invasive Species (Check, Clean, Dry)

Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS)—such as Killer Shrimp, Signal Crayfish, Floating Pennywort and Himalayan Balsam threaten UK river ecosystems. They reproduce rapidly, outcompete native wildlife, and easily hitchhike between waterways on damp volunteer kit.

To protect our catchment area, all volunteers must strictly follow the official NNSS Check, Clean, Dry framework:

• CHECK: Before leaving the riverbank, thoroughly inspect all your clothing, footwear, waders, and tools for mud, aquatic animals, or plant fragments. Remove any debris on-site and leave it at the river.

• CLEAN: Wash all equipment, boots, and waders thoroughly with clean tap water as soon as possible. Pay close attention to damp, hard-to-access areas like wader seams, boot treads, and tool joints. Where possible, soak or spray equipment with hot water (above 45°C) for 15 minutes to kill invisible larvae or plant spores.

• DRY: Dry all equipment, footwear, and clothing completely. Many invasive plants, diseases, and invertebrates can survive for over two weeks in damp or moist conditions. Ensure items are entirely dry to the touch, inside and out, before using them in any other waterway.

Section 3: On-Site Personal Safety Rules

To protect yourself during your volunteer session, you are required to follow these practical mitigation rules:

1. Cover and Protect Wounds

• Inspect your hands and arms before starting.

• Clean any existing cuts, scratches, or blisters thoroughly.

• Cover them completely with a clean, waterproof plaster.

• Wear the protective gloves and waders provided for the duration of the task.

2. Practise Strict Face & Hand Hygiene

• Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth while working in or near the water.

• Do not eat, drink, smoke, or vape while handling river equipment.

• Wash your hands thoroughly with clean water and soap before taking breaks.

• Use high-alcohol hand sensitiser immediately if clean running water is unavailable.

3. The 3-Week Medical Rule (Critical)

Symptoms of waterborne diseases can take 2 to 21 days to appear.

• Monitor your health closely for three weeks after volunteering.

• If you develop a flu-like illness, sudden headache, fever, jaundice, or severe stomach bug, contact your GP or NHS 111 immediately.

• Tell the medical staff explicitly: "I have recently been volunteering in a UK river." Early antibiotic treatment is vital.

Volunteer Declaration & Sign-Up

Please read the safety text above before filling out our volunteer registration and waiver form below . By submitting this form, you confirm you understand these risks and agree to follow all safety and biosecurity protocols.