This years event is going to be held on Saturday 19th
May.
The Clean Up:
Today’s Clean up is going to be located at our usual area
at Juniper Green in 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° 54.170
W003° 17.050 vehicle access is off the A70.
Arrival time will be 09:45 and at 10:00 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.
Wheelbarrow Collection:
I am looking for anyone who has a vehicle that will be able to
take a wheelbarrow in it.
If you have a vehicle and are willing to visit the Water of Leith
Visitor Centre before and after the event, then please get in
touch!
Thanks to Brave defender for offering to carry out this task for
us.
Public Transport:
A No.44 & 44A bus will get you
to the location and also runs past the pub. It is accessible from
the following train stations - Waverley (Walk up to St. Andrews
Square), Haymarket & Slateford. The Juniper Green Post Office
is the stop that you require for the event.
Socialising Afterwards:
I have arranged for us to meet up at The Tanners on the Lanark
Road after the event. Co-ords are listed below, which are for the
car park to the pub.
I have spoken to the landlord and he is going to set aside the
conservatory at the rear of the pub for us, there will also be a
food menu for those that wish to eat. Children are of course
welcome.
Points To Note:
• If a wheelchair user can negotiate a slightly 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.
• Only those who participate in the clean up will be allowed
to log.
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.