This years event is going to be held on Sunday 31st March.
The Clean Up:
Today’s Clean up is going to be located on a small section of the Water of Leith around the Saughton Park/Balgreen area of Edinburgh.
The Water of Leith is well known in Edinburgh for it’s cache trail of caches over 12 miles, click on the cache trail logo for more information.
The meeting and parking location is going to be at N55° 56.023 W003° 15.050 the ONLY vehicle access to this car park is by Stenhouse Avenue at N55° 56.022 W003° 15.450.
Arrival time will be 13:45 and at 14:00 there will be a Health & Safety brief done by the Water of Leith Conservation Trust. You will be expected to sign a disclaimer stating that you have received and understood the brief!
Straight after the brief we will get started on cleaning up the river and its banks, meeting back at the parking co-ords. This should take no more than 2 hours (dependant on numbers that turn up).
Bin bags, gloves, litter pickers (and for those courageous cachers out there, waders for going into the water), will all be supplied. If you have got your own gloves and wellies, then please feel free to bring them along.
The removal of the rubbish will be organised by the conservation trust.
The terrain level for the day will be set at what you want it to be, if you want 1 star then you can clear the rubbish along the path (great for the kids), if you want 4 star then get those waders on and watch you don’t slip!!
Why The Water Of Leith?
Well the conservation trust are in full knowledge of the caches along the river, and despite all of the cleanups that happen they get left alone. They are supportive of our hobby, and I think it is good to let them see that we are willing to give back to them for that support. They are also a registered charity and require local organisations and other groups to volunteer to clean up the river, so that their costs can be kept to a minimum.
Points To Note:
• If a wheelchair user can negotiate a bumpy path and grass (it is suitable for buggies), then this will be suitable for them to attend.
• For public transport information email me and I will tell you which buses to get from the City centre.
• If you want to log the CITO, it would be polite to stay and participate in the clean up for a while.
Health & Safety Risk Assessment:
The Conservation Trusts insurance covers all volunteers taking part in the clean up. However, they expect everyone in the group to be aware of the H&S risk assessment for the Saughton Park/Balgreen stretch of the river, which is the area that we are cleaning up.
Most of the content of the assessment is common sense, but it is there just in case you are not aware.
The assessment is laid out as follows:
Hazard – Person/s at risk – Risk level – Action required by individuals or trust.
• Cuts to fingers from handling broken glass or sharp metal – Volunteers – Low – Wear gloves at all times. Ensure a first aid kit is on site at all times.
• Slipping on banking or slopes, particularly in wet weather – Volunteers – Low – Ensure no volunteers work alone, do not climb up steep banks.
• Lifting injuries, backs – Volunteers – Medium – Work as a team when faced with heavy objects.
• Slipping into the river whilst wading – Volunteers – Low – Only designated waders should enter the river, with at least one riverbank assistant, rakes may be used for balance.
• Tripping over tools or cleared rubbish - Volunteers & the public – Low – Ensure all volunteers know how to use and store tools safely. Designate a tool store area away from the walkway. Rubbish cleared from the river should be put in a safe place where it does not block the walkway or access for other volunteers.
• Drowning in deep water pools – Volunteers – Medium – Do not approach or work in or near deep water pools. Never work alone near the river.
• Falling while climbing over fence or lifting injury getting litter over fence. – Volunteers – Medium – Hand pick able individuals to tackle this side of the river. Warn them of heavy lifting risk and stress they work in a team at all times.
• Injury from aggressive swan – Volunteers – Low – Instruct all volunteers to give any swans in the area a wide berth.
• Infection from needle – Volunteers – Low – Instruct all volunteers not to touch a needle if they find one. Only trust staff to put into sharps box which is then incinerated by the council.
• Avian Flu – Volunteers – Low – New gloves are to be worn for the day, and then thrown away. REPORT any dead birds to the trust staff who will inform DEFRA. Keep bacterial wipes handy, wash hands & boots. Stay clear of birds on the river.
Additional Risks to consider:
Slipping on steps - could be hazardous particularly if volunteers are carrying tools
Branches / twig flicked into faces - this is a common hazard if you are working in wooded areas. Our advice is not to follow the person in front to closely.
Climbing injuries - does your group need to climb over walls, bridges, vertical banks etc.? Consider the risk you may need a ladder.
Falling into deep or fast flowing water - avoid such areas of the river as this could result in serious injury
Infection from used needles / syringes - do not collect, note the location and advise Water of Leith Conservation Trust and/or Litter Warden
General Advice:
Do not work alone and keep a first aid kit handy (already provided for the day).
Always wear gloves and use litter pickers.
Do not lift anything heavy without help.
Use the right tool for the job.
Keep the work area tidy and safe.
If you do not like the look of it, do not touch it!
Keep an eye on this listing, as changes may be made, I will post an announcement message on here each time I make any significant changes.