Safety check list
Groups must have at least one adult co-ordinator present at all times during the litter pick.
The co-ordinator is responsible for:
• Ensuring this safety check list is followed
• Knowing exactly who is taking part and checking numbers. This can be done by keeping a
register of participants.
• Briefing the group on any emergency procedures
• Collecting and distributing equipment
Carrying out a litter pick
Supervision
• Ensure all appointed adults have a working mobile phone and all participants have the
correct mobile phone numbers.
• Make sure you have a safe meeting place to give a briefing, and to start and return to –
especially if the weather deteriorates.
• Appoint an adult to act exclusively as safety lookout during clean ups.
• Don’t allow unaccompanied young children to take part or attend clean-ups. Members of
youth groups must have parental permission.
• Children must be supervised at all times. Don’t allow them to wander freely, alone or out of
sight.
• Maintain a working group of 6-10 people and ensure the child/adult ratio is no higher than
8:1 for safe supervision.
Clothing
• Volunteers should wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Flip flops and open toed
footwear is not recommended.
• Don’t pick up litter with your bare hands; gloves and litter pickers are available from the
council.
Working near to roads
• Don’t work near roads with a speed limit of more than 30 mph, on steep banks, near fast
flowing or deep water, derelict buildings or edges with steep drops that could be
considered dangerous.
• Don’t work on the road, central reservations, roundabouts or islands. Stay on the
pavement/verge away from live traffic at least 1.5m from the kerb.
• When working near roads always face oncoming traffic and work on one side of the
pavement at a time.
• Members of the group working near highways must wear high visibility vests.
• Don’t work in darkness or bad weather conditions i.e. when the ground is icy or visibility is
reduced.
• Avoid peak traffic periods i.e. rush hour and stay clear of construction or engineering
works.
• Do not distract passing traffic or cause nuisance to members of the public.
