Part A – Generic Hazards
Activity:
Client:
Hazards
Harm
Pedestrian Lawn Mowers - Petrol
Site: Click here to enter text.
Click here to enter text.
Risk prior
to Control
Measures
Persons
at Risk
Required Control Measures
Date of Assessment: Click
here to enter text.
Records/
Actions
Risk Control
Measures
Applied
Ejection of debris
Eye injury,
piercing injuries
to body
S=4
L=2
R=Medium
Operatives
and adjacent
persons
Safety boots and protective trousers/overalls to be worn. No
work to be carried out within 10 metres of other persons unless
they wear adequate PPE to include eye protection. Ensure that
working area is clear of debris before starting mowing operations
Training,
supervision
S=2
L=1
R=Low
Biohazards
(Faeces, HIV,
Hepatitis, Weil’s
Disease etc)
Illness, diseases
S=4
L=1
R=Low
Operatives
and adjacent
persons
Personal hygiene (see Safe System of Work, bird dropping RA
and Weil’s advice sheet)
Training,
supervision
S=1
L=1
R=Low
Uneven or slippery
ground.
Serious injury,
death
S=4
L=3
R=High
Operatives
Safety boots to be worn. Slopes should be cut from top
downwards from firm footing. Stand only on ground which can
be established as firm (i.e. not overgrown). Where there is a
risk of falling into hazardous area (roads, rivers etc) a separate
assessment is required
Training,
supervision
S=4
L=1
R=Low
Manual handling
MSD
S=4
L=2
R=Medium
Operatives
Use appropriate lifting and moving skills for moving equipment
and machinery (see separate Risk Assessment - Manual
Handling). Work load to be assessed and regular breaks taken
if considered excessive (5 minutes every hour) . All operatives
to be trained in manual handling techniques. All loads to be
testing before attempting to lift and only loads within safe
capacity to be lifted.
Training,
supervision
S=4
L=1
R=Low
Contact with moving
parts of machinery.
Lacerations,
amputations
S=4
L=2
R=Medium
Operatives
Always ensure that machinery is not moving and is safe before
attempting any adjustment or clearing of moving parts.
Training,
supervision
S=1
L=1
R=Low
Fuel and oils
Fire, Dermatitis,
skin complaints
S=3
L=2
R= Low
Operatives
See separate Assessment (Refuelling Power Tools on site) for
risks and control measures
Training,
supervision
S=2
L=1
R=Low
Hazards
Harm
Risk prior
to Control
Measures
Persons
at Risk
Required Control Measures
Records/
Actions
Noise
Hearing
impairment
S=3
L=3
R=Medium
Wear hearing protection to BS - EN352-2
PPE Issue,
Training,
Supervision
Vibration
VWF, MSD
S=3
L=3
R=Medium
Individuals should mow for no longer than 4 hours per day due
to severe vibration problems. Gloves to be worn
Disposal of cuttings
Cuts from
sharps, contact
with biohazards
S=3
L=3
R=Medium
Be aware of discarded syringes and needles. If these are found,
follow safe system of work in this document. Gloves to be worn
Risk Control
Measures
Applied
S=1
L=1
R=Low
S=2
L=1
R=Low
Training,
Supervision
S=3
L=1
R=Low
Part B – Site Specific Hazards
Consider: Others affected (other work in vicinity, staff, public, vulnerable persons including children)
Environment (e.g. confined space, poor ventilation, site traffic)
Hazards
Click here to
enter text.
Harm
Click here to
enter text.
Risk prior
to Control
Measures
Click here to
enter text.
Persons
at Risk
Click here
to enter
text.
Required Control Measures
Click here to enter text.
Records/Actions
Click here to enter
text.
Risk Control
Measures
Applied
Click here
to enter text.
Site Specific Assessment compiled by Click here to enter text. Date: Click here to enter text.
RISK ASSESSMENT DECLARATION.
I confirm that I have been briefed on the associated risks involved, I am aware of the restrictions and safety related issues
involved in this task. I am aware that if for any reason I cannot carry out the work as instructed I must stop work and inform my
supervisor.
Date.
Name.
Company.
NOTE: This declaration may be replaced with single project declaration if referenced therewith
Signature.
SAFE SYSTEM OF WORK - GARDENING OPERATIONS - GRASSCUTTING
Prior to work commencement
1. Must have suitable PPE for the task in hand
2. Must have appropriate tools and equipment in good condition.
3. Consider risks and hazards in proposed work area, eg broken glass etc.
4. Ensure familiarity with method statement for equipment and proposed work site.
5. Ensure that machinery is in good repair and working order.
Hazards
1. Ejection of debris from machinery while cutting.
2. Handling of sharp items of litter and items with biohazard risks.
3. Slips and trips due to uneven or slippery ground.
4. Manual handling of equipment.
5. Contact with moving parts of machinery.
6. Contact with fuel and oils and plant materials.
7. Noise from machinery operations.
8. Repetitive strain injuries from strimming and hover mowing.
9. Exposure due to weather conditions.
Harm
1. Minor cuts, fractures, amputations to fatality, eye injuries, infection, skin infection.
2. Allergic reactions to plants, hypothermia, heatstroke, sunburn, muscle strain.
Persons at risk
1. Operatives
2. Other persons in the vicinity of the work area, e.g. passers-by.
Control measures
1. Ensure that working area cleared of debris before starting mowing operations. Always adhere
to procedure for handling hazardous litter
2. Ensure guards on machinery in place and effective for protection.
3. Always wear protective clothing and PPE.
4. Take extra care on uneven and/or sloping ground.
5. Use appropriate lifting and moving skills for moving equipment and machinery
6. Always ensure that machinery is not moving and safe before attempting any adjustment or
clearing of moving parts.
7. Minimise exposure to fuel, oil and plant juices. Clean hands as often as possible. Use gloves
and barrier cream for protection..
8. Always use hearing protection when machinery in operation.
9. Use good technique when mowing. Take hourly breaks of 5 minutes to allow muscles to rest.
10. Take account of weather conditions, wear appropriate clothing and take warm drinks in cold
weather, cover up or apply sun block to prevent sunburn.
On completion
1. Inspect area covered to see if any hazards remaining to self and others
2. Transport grass clippings etc to appropriate disposal point.
3. Clean machines. Arrange transport for tools and machinery to secure storage area.
4. Transport rubbish bags etc to appropriate disposal site.
5. Report completion to supervisor. Wash hands, arms etc thoroughly. Carry out personal
inspection for cuts etc.
Tool Box Talk
Weil’s Disease
The presence of rats on site must be discouraged. Weil’s disease can be fatal - don’t
become a statistic.
Weil’s Disease - What Is It?
1. Weil’s disease, which is also known as leptospirosis, is a kind of jaundice
2. The disease enters the body through breaks in the skin, and through the lining of the
mouth and nose after contact with infected urine or contaminated water, such as in
sewers, ditches, ponds and slow-flowing rivers
3. It is caused by contact with water contaminated by urine of rats and other small mammals
such as mice and voles
4. Rat urine may also contaminate debris e.g. the Picnic Area.
5. It starts as a mild illness which can be easily cured if treated early enough
6. If left untreated, it becomes more serious and can be fatal
7. The problem is that the initial symptoms are very similar to flu and it is possible that you
could ignore the symptoms or be treated for the wrong illness
What Can You Do About It?
1. Don’t encourage the presence of vermin. Carefully dispose of waste food, especially on
sites that are wet or adjacent to rivers and lakes, etc
2. Do not handle the carcasses of dead rats or other small mammals
3. If you are at risk, cover all cuts and abrasions with a waterproof dressing and wear
appropriate protective clothing
4. Wash your hands after handling any animal, or any contaminated clothing or other
materials, and always before eating, drinking or smoking
5. If you frequently work near water, carry a card or tag saying that you may be at risk of
catching the disease
6. Be aware that you can catch the disease if you get water in your mouth and nose after
falling in
7. See your doctor immediately if you think you are infected
Who Is At Risk?
1. All operatives who may come into contact with contaminated water
2. Particularly operatives who work regularly in or near water, such as those engaged in:
 Work on sewers and other drainage systems
 Work on canals and similar conservation projects
 Work in tunnelling
SAFE HANDLING AND DISPOSAL OF SHARPS
1. SCOPE AND OBJECTIVES
To ensure that all sharps are dealt with in an appropriate manner, and minimise the risk of a
sharps injury.
2.
RESPONSIBILITIES
 All employees
3.
DOCUMENTATION

4.
Sharp Incident Form
METHOD
Definition of Sharp - “Items such as scalpels, blades, hypodermic needles and syringes &
contaminated broken glass”
Before Starting Work
4.1
If you are working in an area where it is known or likely that you will find any syringes or other
sharp objects take the following precautions.
 Check outside area for any signs of drug use. Check your skin and cover any cuts or
abrasions with a waterproof covering (e.g. waterproof plaster)
 Ensure that appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is worn.
 Undertake a sweep of the area, but DO NOT use your hands to feel for needles
If you discover Sharps
4.2
Upon discovery of sharps, depending on location, the following actions must be taken by the
member of staff discovering the object:





4.3
Barrier off or make area safe
Collect sharp container and bring to location of sharp.
Put on sharp resistant gloves.
Place the sharp box on an even surface, and then open the box.
Pick up sharp with pincer tool (i.e. bull dog clip, tongs, litter pickers or similar)
Place sharp in sharp container and close the box.
If presented with a sharp, take the person to one side, collect the sharp box place on even
surface, open the box and ask them to place the sharp in sharps container.
What to do if you are injured by a sharp






DO NOT SUCK the wound.
Encourage the wound to bleed for 1 to 2 minutes.
Collect the offending item following method in 4.2 and place in personal sharps container.
Wash the area with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, then use alcoholfree cleansing wipes and cover with plaster.
Notify your supervisor or line manager
Attend Accident and Emergency at the local hospital