Embedded Files
Risk Assessments
And
Method Statements
Last Updated 18/10/2021 by Gary Lemal, Director
These are generic risk assessments and method statements.
It is important to remember that the working environment is dynamic and ever changing.
INDEX
SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION
SECTION 2 SITE SAFETY
Reference
SS01 Environmental Conditions
SS02 Remote Sites / Lone Working
SS03 Roadside Working
SS04 Schools / Colleges
SS05 Public Open Spaces
SS06 River, Streams, Waterways
SS07 Residential / Care Homes
SS08 Domestic Gardens
SS09 Construction Sites
SS10 Industrial Premises
SECTION 3 GRASS CUTTING OPERATIONS
Reference
GC01 Strimming
GC02 Pedestrian Mowing
GC03 Ride-On Mowing
SECTION 4 GENERAL MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS
Reference
GM01 Pesticide Application
GM02 Tractor Mounted Operations
GM03 Hedge Trimming
GM04 Pruning
GM05 Driving Vehicles
GM06 Litter Picking
GM07 Hand Tool Operations
GM08 Sports Pitch Maintenance
GM09 Fine Turf Maintenance
GM010 Planting
GM011 Leaf Clearance
GM012 Use of Ladders, Steps and Work Platforms
GM013 Hanging Baskets and Planters
GM014 Pedestrian Rotovating
SECTION 5 ARBORICULTURAL OPERATIONS
Reference
AB01 Operating a chain saw at high level
AB02 Operating a chain saw at ground level
AB03 Arboricultural Equipment (General)
AB04 Winching
SECTION 7 SOFT LANDSCAPING
SL01 Earthworks
SL02 Tree Works
SL03 Vehicles and Equipment
SECTION 8 HARD LANDSCAPING
CON1 Building Works
CON2 Pond Construction
CON3 Construction Equipment (General)
CON4 Vehicles and Equipment
SECTION 9 DEPOT FACILITIES
SECTION 10 MANUAL HANDLING ASSESSMENTS
SECTION 11 DISPLAY SCREEN EQUIPMENT ASSESSMENTS
SECTION 12 SITE SPECIFIC & ‘ONE OFF’ ASSESSMENTS
APPENDICES
(I) Risk Assessment Guidance Notes
(ii) Blank Risk Assessment Forms
INTRODUCTION
This document provides an assessment of the health and safety risks for the grounds maintenance and landscape operations carried out by Groundcare in accordance with the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992 (MHSWR) and associated Regulations.
Our primary objectives in carrying out these risk assessments were: -
To identify hazards with the potential to cause harm to staff or members of the public.
to evaluate the nature and seriousness of injuries that may arise from specific hazards
To critically examine the existing safety controls in place.
to identify further action needed to improve safety standards
Definitions
The definition of hazard and risk in this context is shown below
Hazard = Anything with the potential to cause harm.
Risk = The chance or likelihood that someone will be harmed by the hazard.
The method used in carrying out these assessments is explained in the Guidance Notes contained in Appendix (I).
Risk Ranking System
The risk ranking system shown below has been used to help determine priorities for further action. It is based on the likelihood of injury occurring from a hazard and the seriousness of the outcome, taking into account the number of people involved and measures already in place to control hazards and reduce the risk.
Likelihood Score Outcome / Severity Score
Highly Improbable 1 Negligible Injuries 1
Remotely Possible 2 Minor Injuries 2
Occasional 3 Major Injuries 3
Fairly Frequent 4 Fatal Injuries 4
Frequent or Regular 5 Multiple Fatalities 5
Almost and Certainty 6 Catastrophic Fatalities 6
Risk Ranking Number (R.R.N.) = Likelihood x Outcome score
Interpretation of the Risk Ranking System
RRN 5 or less = Insignificant risk, no further action required
RRN between 6 and 12 = Moderate risk, further control measures maybe needed
RRN greater than 12 = Inadequate controls, urgent remedial action required
APPENDIX (1)
RISK ASSESSMENT GUIDANCE NOTES
APPENDIX (1)
RISK ASSESSMENT GUIDANCE NOTES
A. Introduction
The assessment and control of risk underpins the approach to the management of health and safety required by the new EEC Regulations.
The purpose of these notes is to provide guidance on carrying out the risk assessment process required under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations and to supply additional information on the specific assessments necessary to comply with other applicable legislation.
B. Requirements of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (MHSWR) which came into force in January 1993 State that every Employer must make a "suitable and sufficient" assessment of the risks within the workplace.
In brief, they require the Employer to: -
- Carry out a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to both employees and other persons who may also be at risk within the workplace.
- Take appropriate measures to prevent or reduce the risks.
- Record the findings the assessment where five or more employees are employed
- Provide suitable information and training
- Establish emergency procedures.
- Restrict access to "danger areas" where appropriate
- Review the Assessment where there is reason to suspect it is no longer valid or if there has been a significant change in the circumstances to which it relates.
C. General Risk Assessment Methodology
Key Stages of the Risk Assessment Process
(a) Hazard Identification (Initial Review and Index)
This involves looking for hazards that could result in significant harm within the workplace. These may result from environmental conditions, work activities or equipment for example.
A Schedule is then compiled from which a more in depth analysis of specific hazards can be made.
(b). Decide Who Maybe Harmed and How (Detail Review)
Each of the items on the Initial Review Schedule is assigned a reference number (these are subsequently reflected in the Safety Codes of Practice).
Specific hazards are noted on the Detail Review form and examined in greater depth. Both the likelihood of harm occurring and the severity of the outcome are considered, taking into account measures already in place to reduce the risk of injury.
A numerical ranking number (RRN) is then calculated from the Risk Ranking System shown in Section 3 to help determine priorities for further action.
(c). Produce an Action Plan for Risk Reduction
Having assessed the risk, the findings can then be used to produce an Action Plan for Risk Reduction, which clearly defines specific tasks, responsibilities and timescales.
Sample forms are enclosed at the end of this section.
(d) Tasks not covered by the general assessment
Where we are required to carry out one-off tasks not covered by the general assessment, the Supervisor or Manager concerned must make a simple assessment of the hazards and risks involved before starting work and record the findings see sample form in Appendix 5
APPENDIX (2)
MANUAL HANDLING ASSESSMENTS
Manual Handling can be defined as:
"The transporting or supporting of a load by hand or by bodily force."
An assessment of manual handling operations as required under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, need only be undertaken for a task where a significant hazards are believed to be present. It need not be used for every manual-handling task.
Typical manual handling tasks in grounds maintenance include digging for long periods or lifting and carrying heavy equipment / machinery.
The general assessment referred to in the previous section should identify any significant manual handling tasks and the risk associated with these. The Manual Handling Regulations then require us to take the process a step further and examine each task in more detail and try to improve the methods used.
Many of the manual handling tasks can be assessed by simple observation, however the Guidelines For Assessment over the page may prove useful when examining specific lifting / carrying operations.
It must be stressed that these are average general approximations for information only, there are no legally defined weight limits.
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