Garden / Grounds

Risk of:

• Infection

Possible causes:

• Tetanus from soil.
• Leptospirosis (Weils' disease) from contaminated water.
• Legionnaires' disease from contaminated water aerosols in fountains.
• Accidental exposure to needles when picking litter.

Risk of:

• Adverse health effects.

Possible causes:

• Exposure to pesticides such as weed killers, pest control products or other hazardous chemicals.

Risk of:

• Colds.
• Heat stress.
• Sun burn.

Possible causes:

• Working in inclement weather e.g. freezing conditions, rain etc.
• Working in sunny weather without sun protection.

Risk of:

• Pain in neck, back or arms.
• Musculoskeletal disorders such as carpel tunnel syndrome.

Possible causes:

• Over reaching or bending at the waist e.g. whilst digging.
• Repetitive motions often in combination with force e.g. use of tools such as secateurs, loppers or pruning equipment.

Risk of:

• Burns.
• Electric shock.
• Death.
• Fire.

Possible causes:

• Use of electrical equipment in wet environment.
• Equipment not suitable for outdoor use.
• Failure to use or test Residual Current Device (RCD).
• Faulty electrics or insulation.
• Taped cables.

Risk of:

• Cuts.
• Eye damage.
• Amputation.
• Inhalation of fumes.
• Fire.

Possible causes:

• Being hit by flying debris when mowing the lawn.
• Contact with mower blades.
• Exposure to petrol fumes when refuelling the lawn mower.
• Exposure of petrol to ignition source.
• Over riding interlocks on equipment e.g. waste compactors.
• Lack of equipment maintenance.

Risk of:

• Burns.
• Smoke inhalation.
• Death.

Possible causes:

• External fire escape doors and fire escape routes blocked.

Risk of:

• Musculoskeletal disorders.

Possible causes:

• Lifting too heavy items.
• Over reaching or stretching.
• Lack of or failure to use mechanical aids e.g. wheel barrows, hand trucks etc.
• Failure to maintain manual handling aids.

Risk of:

• Hearing damage or loss.
• Annoyance.
• Distraction.
• Stress.

Possible causes:

• Noisy equipment such as hedge trimmers and mowers.

Risk of:

• Minor injuries such as cuts to major injuries such as broken bones, concussion and even death.

Possible causes:

• Uneven surfaces and pavements.
• Unmarked edges on steps and ramps.
• Inadequate lighting of surfaces and access routes.
• Slippery surfaces e.g. surfaces covered with water, ice, snow, leaves or moss.
• Obstructions on pavements.
• Unsuitable footwear.

Risk of:

• Being hit by a vehicle.

Possible causes:

• No traffic management system in place.
• No segregation of people and vehicles.
• Lack of directional signage or clear parking areas for visitors.

Risk of:

• Fall resulting in physical injury.

Possible causes:

• Lack of or inappropriate access equipment.