Places for People Landscapes Risk Assessment v1

Activity : Use of garden power tools and equipment.

Review Date : annually or when significant changes to work activities occur.

Hazard Identification
Operating power tools and equipment e.g. Strimmer's, pedestrian mowers, blowers, chain saw, power drills etc.

* Unsafe use
* Debris thrown up
* Entanglement
* Hidden hazards

Persons at Risk
* Places for People Landscapes Operatives
* Places for People Site Services
* Members of the Public

Risks to Health and Safety

* Cuts / Abrasions
* Sprains
* Fractures
* Cut
* Abrasions
* Impact injuries

Control Measures
* Only trained and authorised staff to operate power tools and equipment or carry out tasks - Weed spraying - PA1 & PA6A, Chainsaw - CS30 & CS31.
* Pre user visual inspection by Operators.
* Ensure all guards, safety devises etc. in place and correctly adjusted
* Avoid leaving tools / equipment unattended, if safe ensure it is isolated to prevent unauthorised use.
* Suitable segregation of work area using signage and barriers to exclude people.
* All areas must be inspected and debris removed prior to commencing work. Ensure clear of hazardous waste and infectious material.
* Operator must wear appropriate PPE for tools - visor /muff combination, safety boots, gloves.
* Stop working if approached by pPublic.
* Entangled tools or equipment should be switched off immediately and isolated at ignition / power button, then it can be freed from entanglement.
* Do not use cutting equipment or tools in positions where operator is unable to see work area in case of contact with obstructions, persons etc.
* Blade covers to be in place when not in use or during transportation.
* Chainsaw must be appropriate for the task.

Hazard Identification
Maintenance and adjustment of power tools and equipment:
* Greasing
* Replacement heads
* Refilling cord
* Topping up o foil levels
* Refuelling
* Changing blades

Persons at Risk
* Places for People Landscapes Operatives
* Members of the Public

Risks to Health and Safety

* Cuts / Abrasions
* Dermatitis / skin irritation
* Sprains
* Burns
* Irritation to respiratory system

Control Measures
* Only trained and authorised staff to carry out maintenance and adjustments.
* Equipment should be switched off and isolated prior to commencing maintenance.
* Equipment should be on flat even ground with sufficient space around to work comfortably.
* Equipment to be washed down weekly and prior to maintenance operations.
* Refer to COSHH assessment for safe handling / use of fuels, oils, etc.
* Only use approved containers to be used for storage / dispensing fuels, oils, etc.
* Fuelling to be carried out I we'll-ventilated area and away from any source of ignition.
* Equipment must be allowed to cool before commencing maintenance / refuelling.
* Protective uniform, gloves, face visor and safety boots worn at all times.
* Funnels to be used when refuelling. Do not overfill tank.
* Spill kit to be available. Any spillage to be cleaned immediately using absorbent material if necessary.
* Good hygiene to be observed, washing facilities or hand wipes available nearby.
* Ensure saw is clamped securely when sharpening chain.

Hazard Identification
Working adjacent to roads and highways e.g.
* Strimming and blowing edges.
* Mowing grassed area adjacent to traffic routes .
* Hedges trimming.
* Chain saw

Persons at Risk
* Places for People Landscapes Operatives
* Members of the Public

Risks to Health and Safety
* Road traffic accidents
* Serious injury
* Fatality

Control Measures
* All reasonable steps should be taken to ensure the effects of work are kept to a minimum.
* Work should be programmed to avoid busy periods and poo light or weather conditions.
* Operatives to be aware of potential hazards from passing traffic when working adjacent to and on roadsides.
* Vehicles / plant etc. to display warning lights.
* Hi-viz clothing must be worn.

Hazard Identification
Transporting tools and equipment to work area:
* Lifting, carrying
* Pushing, pulling
*.Supporting during use

Persons at Risk
* Places for People Landscapes Operatives
* Members of the Public

Risks to Health and Safety
* Cuts /Abrasions
* Sprains / Strains
* Back Injury

Control Measures
* Machine to be switched off when travelling between work areas with blade covers on if applicable.
* Manual handling and safe lifting techniques must be used.
* Machine must be secured with straps / ropes during transportation.
* Use supporting devices where possible to reduce strain.

Hazard Identification
Local factors and environmental conditions e.g.
* Light / visibility
* Weather - hot / cold / wet / wind
* Location - near roads / paths / public
* Slopes - slipping, tipping machine, sliding

Persons at Risk
* Places for People Landscapes Operatives
* Members of the Public

Risks to Health and Safety
* Road traffic accidents
* Serious injury
* Fatality

Control Measures
* All areas must be inspected prior to commencing work.
* Staff must take into account environmental conditions, limits of machinery, presence of public and assess if it is appropriate to carry out operation at that time.
* Cutting to be carried in a logical pattern as per operators manual and with regard to local factors, e.g. Slopes, paths, roads, obstacles, buildings etc.
* Ensure suitable weather equipment is worn.
* Operators must halt work if approached by member of public.
* Warning signage to be displayed to indicate work area to other operatives and members of public.
* Work area to be suitably segregated where necessary.

Hazard Identification
Vibrating plant and machinery, e.g.
* Mower
* Blower
* Hedge trimmer
* Strimmer
* Chain saw
* Concrete breaker
* Stihl saw
* Whacker plate

Persons at Risk
* Places for People Landscapes Operatives

Risks to Health and Safety
* Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome

Control Measures
* Stated usage times must be followed for each tool or item of equipment - information available from Supervisor.
* If more than one item is used in one day monitor combined use age times for daily exposure.
* Gloves must be worn to keep hands warm during operations.
* Vibration monitoring to be carried out periodically to ensure over exposure is avoided.
* Use job rotation to prevent over exposure.

Hazard Identification
Noise from plant and equipment e.g.
* Mower
* Blower
* Hedge trimmer
* Strimmer
* Chain saw

Persons at Risk
* Places for People Landscapes Operatives

Risks to Health and Safety
* Noise induced hearing loss

Control Measures
* Appropriate ear defenders to be worn at all times.
* Operator must not wear music device during operation of machinery e.g. Ear phones, iPod / iPhone.

Hazard Identification
Work at height, e.g.
* Unsuitable access to work area

Persons at Risk
* Places for People Landscapes Operatives

Risks to Health and Safety
* Fractures
* Head injury
* Fatality

Control Measures
* If it is necessary to access a work area at height an additional risk assessment should be carried out.
* Suitable access equipment to be selected and method of work to be developed.
* Specific training is required prior to use of any access equipment.

Hazard Identification
Contact with services e.g.
* Puncturing water pipes
* Damaging cables

Persons at Risk
* Places for People Landscapes Operatives
* Members of the Public

Risks to Health and Safety
* Electric shock
* Burns
* Fatality

Control Measures
* All cables and pipes must be located prior to drilling and removing materials from walls, floors etc using stud detector.
* Be aware of safe zones for locations of wiring in domestic properties (tool box talk)

To be completed by the employee:
I understand this risk assessment I consider it to be suitable and sufficient to control the risks to my health and safety and other persons who may be affected by the work activities. I agree will follow the procedures that have been put in place for my safety. I will inform my line manager if any additional hazard that arise as soon as possible to ensure that further measures can be considered to reduce the risks to my health and safety.