Health & Safety + Biosecurity

H&S: Risk Assessment Know where you are going Carry out a Risk Assessment –day and/or night visits? –Identify hazards on your route and at your survey site Use a “survey buddy” –agree check-in times, contact details –Carry a mobile phone

H&S: Some considerations Follow advice provided (see sheets) Safety of area Adder bites and other medical issues Weather (cold/wet/heat/sun) Terrain (rough ground, steep ponds) Other animals!? Site hazards (tanks, bikes, guns, broken glass etc.)

H&S: Ponds ALL PONDS should be regarded as a potential source of disease Do not immerse open cuts Don’t eat, drink or smoke Wear suitable gloves where possible and anyway wash hands after surveying Consider your impact on the pond!

Biosecurity: amphibian diseases Amphibians are in decline – globally Diseases are contributory –chytrid fungus –Ranavirus (red leg) Change or clean ALL equipment between ponds >1km apart –vehicle tyres? –nets and equipment –boots and clothing

Biosecurity: amphibian diseases Beware of high risk sites: Has amphibian disease has been reported in the area? Are non-native species present?

Biosecurity: cleaning Veterinary disinfectants can be used 4% bleach spray may be more practical Helps prevent other problems….

Biosecurity: invasive plants Several species of alien aquatic plants alter pond ecology and can cause loss of amphibians, other wildlife… and the pond! Crassula (stonecrop) Parrot’s feather Azolla (water fern) Other garden centre invasives!

Biosecurity: invasive plants Crassula

Biosecurity: invasive plants Parrot’s feather

Biosecurity: invasive plants Azolla

Biosecurity: invasive plants All three!!!

H&S: One last thing… Consider insurance… –ARC (where volunteer agreement – for volunteer surveys only!) –ARG-UK –Wildlife Trust etc. (your employer?) A trained volunteer who has signed an ARC volunteer agreement can be accredited for protected species survey.

Photographs Photographs used in this presentation are by Ben Driver, Chris Gleed-Owen, Fred Holmes, Phyl King, John Robinson, Will Watson and John Wilkinson Copyright of all photographs remains with the photographers and ARC. These photographs should not be used for purposes other than NARRS training without the permission of the photographers.