Site access
From mighty Loch Lomond to the meandering River Wye, from the punt-filled Oxford canal to the pretty pond in your local park, the UK is filled with inland water sites that are great for people and wildlife alike.
But the water can also be dangerous. If your organisation owns or manages land with water – such as a lake, stretch of river or SuDS (sustainable urban drainage system) - you have a duty to protect people on or near it.
Two out of three drowning deaths happen inland. Swimming and deliberately jumping in do play a role in this, but many deaths happen as a result of an accidental slip or fall into cold water. Your organisation needs to do everything it can to try to reduce this risk.
How do you help keep people safe?
We strongly recommend that you conduct a water safety risk assessment. This will help you:
Understand what measures you can take to reduce the risks
Prevent accidents
Protect lives
Understand how you can comply with the law and mitigate corporate liability
The big picture
At RoSPA, we want all landowners to understand the risks around their water and take appropriate steps to keep people safe. We’d also like to see all local authorities creating community level plans that address water safety risks.
In an emergency
Call 999
Read more
River safety
If you’re responsible for a stretch of river, it’s vital to make sure it’s safe for anyone who’s in, on or near it.
Sustainable Drainage Schemes
SuDS slow down surface water and ultimately help to prevent flooding. They are often located in densely populated urban areas. Find out how to keep people safe.
Beach safety
What to do to help keep people safe when managing a body of water.
Inland water safety
What to do to help keep people safe when managing a body of water.
Local authority approaches to managing water safety
Read our report which focuses on responsibility for managing water safety at local government level.
Risk assessment training
Gain an in-depth understanding of risk assessments, their importance and how to effectively perform them.
Water safety audit
RoSPA consultants will perform comprehensive safety audits tailored to each indoor and outdoor water location, as well as various leisure and recreational sites.