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Working Near Water and Dewatering Safety Checklist

Free Safety Checklist template · Category: ConstructionView all Safety Checklist templates
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Checklist Questions

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Risk Assessment Description:

This working near water and dewatering safety checklist template from Health & Safety Zone helps site supervisors and operatives manage the risks associated with groundworks near water bodies, dewatering pits and temporary water retention areas. It aligns with the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, HSE guidance on prevention of drowning and working near water, and public health advice on leptospirosis.

The checklist covers competence, site access, water flow control, pump operation, pollution prevention, rescue arrangements, personal protective equipment and post‑task make‑safe. It ensures that risk assessments are in place, appropriate barriers and edge protection are installed, and that any water‑related hazards are systematically checked.

Use this checklist for:

  • Pre‑task checks – confirm risk assessments, permits and safe access before work starts.
  • In‑process monitoring – verify that dewatering pumps, barriers and rescue equipment remain functional during works.
  • Completion sign‑off – ensure pumps are shut down, water discharge is controlled and the area is left safe.

Each item is answered Yes, No or N/A – any No response must be addressed before work proceeds or continues.

Fully editable and shareable — customise the questions to your site, download as a PDF and share with your team.

Compliant with: Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015; HSE prevention of drowning guidance; HSE working near water guidance; Leptospirosis guidance.

Sample PDF Document Image:

Checks covered in this Working Near Water and Dewatering – Groundworks checklist

This Working Near Water and Dewatering – Groundworks safety checklist template covers 25 checks. Customise the questions to your workplace, then download a professional, print-ready PDF with Yes / No / N/A tick-boxes and a comments space.

#Checklist item
1Has a site‑specific risk assessment for work near water and dewatering been completed and briefed to all operatives?
2Is the work covered by any required permits (e.g., water discharge permit, excavation permit)?
3Are all operatives trained and competent in safe dewatering procedures and water‑related rescue?
4Is a designated rescue officer identified and briefed on the rescue plan?
5Is safe access to the work area provided, with stable footing and non‑slip surfaces?
6Is the ground condition around the water edge inspected for stability and erosion risk?
7Is the weather forecast checked and unsuitable conditions (heavy rain, high winds) avoided?
8Are edge protection barriers or guardrails installed where there is a fall risk into water?
9Are rescue equipment (throw line, life buoy, personal flotation devices) readily available and inspected?
10Are dewatering pumps inspected for leaks, secure mounting, proper grounding and functional emergency stop before start?
11Is a maintenance log for the pump up to date and visible on site?
12Is the pump discharge directed away from the site or contained to prevent pollution?
13Are discharge points checked for adequate filtration or sediment control measures?
14Is a spill containment plan in place for accidental pump discharge?
15Is water quality monitored for contaminants that could cause leptospirosis or other health hazards?
16Are any chemicals used for dewatering stored in labelled containers and assessed under COSHH?
17Are operatives provided with appropriate PPE such as waterproof boots, gloves and, where required, personal flotation devices?
18Is any required RPE provided and fit‑tested for potential aerosolised contaminants?
19Are collective safety measures such as signage, barriers and lighting installed around the water area?
20Is first‑aid provision on site adequate for water‑related injuries, including drowning?
21Is an emergency contact list displayed and communication equipment tested?
22Has the area been inspected for hazardous wildlife or vegetation that could increase slip risk?
23On completion, are pumps shut down, isolated and stored safely?
24Is the work area cleared of debris, water pooled and any temporary barriers removed or secured?
25Has a post‑task review been carried out and any incidents or near‑misses recorded?

Frequently asked questions

Are these safety checklist templates really free to download?

Yes — completely free. Customise any checklist to your workplace and download a professional, print-ready PDF in minutes. No paywall, and no signup required for guests.

What format do the safety checklists download in?

Checklists download as a professional PDF, ready to print and complete on-site — each question has clear Yes / No / N/A tick-boxes and a comments space. You choose portrait or landscape at download. Word and spreadsheet formats are being added.

Can I customise the checklist questions to my workplace?

Yes — fully. Add your own questions, edit or remove any of the pre-written ones, and reorder them to suit your site, task or inspection before you download.

Are the safety checklists suitable for UK workplaces?

Yes. The checklists are written around UK health and safety good practice and HSE guidance, and are suitable for inspections, audits, toolbox checks and routine workplace monitoring.

Do I need an account to use the checklist templates?

No — guests can build and download a checklist for free without signing up. Register a free account if you want to save checklists to your dashboard and edit them later.

Can I add my company logo and branding to the checklist?

Yes — add your company logo, colours and details on Standard and Pro plans, so the exported checklist carries your own branding. Guests and Free downloads carry Health & Safety Zone branding.

How do I complete the checklist once it is downloaded?

The exported checklist is a blank, ready-to-use document: print it and tick Yes, No or N/A against each question and write any comments in the notes space, then sign and date it in the sign-off section.

What types of safety checklist can I create?

We are building specialist checklists across a wide range of subjects and industries — fire safety, workplace inspections, equipment and machinery checks, site inductions, vehicle checks, PPE, first aid and more. Browse by category to find the right one.

How often should safety checklists be completed?

It depends on the activity and your risk assessment — many checks are daily, weekly or monthly, while others are done before each task or shift. Completed, dated checklists provide a useful record of your monitoring.

Are the checklists a substitute for a risk assessment?

No. A checklist is a monitoring and inspection tool that complements your risk assessments and method statements — it helps confirm that controls are in place and working. Use them alongside your risk assessments.

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