Grounds Maintenance

INTRODUCTION

Many organisations occupy premises which have small or larger areas of grounds in which buildings are situated. Whether these grounds exist as a landscaped feature to enhance a building or just provide a border, these will need to be at least maintained and, where they are extensive, they will need significant regular maintenance.
In other cases the actual business of the organisation will involve some or all of the aspects of ground maintenance, such as contract gardeners, and landscaping contractors. As a result it is important for organisations to be ware of the health and Safety issues and responsibilities

Health and safety responsibilities

Where grounds maintenance is undertaken by employees, the responsibility for ensuring the health and safety of those undertaking and affected by the work clearly lies with owner/occupier.

These responsibilities include:

1. suitable and sufficient risk assessments
2. sufficient control of risks identified, also safe system of work
3. adequate selection of equipment that is suitable for the task, that is maintained
4. Risks that could affect, such as members of the public, including those who may gain unauthorised access are controlled as far as reasonably practicable
5. Persons undertake work are provided with sufficient instruction, information and training to enable them to carry out their tasks safely
6. Adequate Supervision of the work

Where grounds maintenance is undertaken by contractors, the health and safety responsibilities lies with the contract company, but the client still has responsibilities

1. Selection of approved contractors
2. Provision of adequate information on hazards present on site or posed by work activities

Aspects of ground maintenance

1. Landscaping
2. Control of grassed areas, including mowing, trimming, edging, aerating, turfing and general lawn maintenance
3. Pruning, fertilising, floral bedding and mulching
4. Weed and pest control
5. Leaf and plant removal
6. Tree surgery
7. Maintaining pathways

General hazards

Although the hazards of ground maintenance are many and various, they can be considered as 4 separate categories:-

1. Mechanical risks
· Machinery and hand tools
· Usage, (daily, weekly, monthly)
· Training, information for operators and maintainers
· Equipment conforms to British or European standards
· Guarding of dangerous areas or parts
· Emergency stops or cut offs
· Special Personal Protective Equipment likely to necessary during its use.
2. Chemical risks
· Evaluate the levels of risk posed by the substance (contained within the Material Data Sheet)
· Necessary controls for risks
· All persons using the substance are provided with adequate information, instruction and training to ensure its safe use, any control measure, including Personal Protective Equipment
· Ensure appropriate signage is displayed; also members of the public are kept away from areas where substances are in use.
3. Biological risks
Plant hazards
Some plants, trees, shrubs and vegetation will pose significant risks either through
· Sap (giant hogweed)
· Defence mechanisms (nettles)
· Toxic fruits (yew and deadly nightshade)
· Hazardous plant etc have been identified and contact avoided
· Workers that are sensitised are made aware
· Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment are available and in use
· Good personal hygiene, particularly washing hands before eating drinking or smoking
· Clean and cover all cuts and wounds

The most likely zoonoses is Weil's disease, carried in rat urine. The reason for this is that it can remain in puddles or areas of slow moving water for some time.
Workers to be aware of symptoms- a feverish flu=like illness with headache that can cause meningitis. Urge them to attend their GP if symptoms persist if these symptoms present themselves.
· Contact with animal, animal droppings, puddles and pools of still water are avoided
· Workers who sensitive are aware of potential contact
· Adequate Personal Protective Equipment available and in use
· Good personal hygiene, particularly washing hands before eating drinking or smoking
· Clean and cover all cuts and wounds
· Workers that notify GP of their occupation and possible exposure to animal borne diseases

Tetanus spores are present in soil from contamination, it is therefore important to keep all wounds; especially deep puncture wounds, cleaned and aired to prevent infection. BMA recommend tetanus vaccine to be given once every 10 years, as immunity does not last longer than that.
4. Environmental risks
In general these risks will represented by the hazards:-

On - site transport

Main risks posed by:
· Potential vehicle impact with object or person
· Vehicle overturns, causing injury to the operator or others
· Vehicle load to become unstable and fall from height or overturn of vehicle or trailer.
· Ejection of materials, for example mud, plant material, grass or foreign object
· Failure of some part of the vehicle, for example hydraulic component that could cause injury or damage.
· Contact with hazardous liquids, such as fuels, battery acid, grease or oils forming part of the equipment that could cause fire, injury or disease
Wherever possible vehicles and pedestrians should be segregated by the use of barriers or by temporarily prohibiting pedestrian access to areas where the vehicle is operating. Where this is not practicable then it will necessary for drivers to take greater care.

REFERENCES/FURTHER DETAILS

1. HSE homepage:
2. HSE agriculture free leaflets:
3. HSE workplace transport leaflets:
4. Using work equipment safely INDG 229:
5. PUWER leaflet:
6. Leptospirosis leaflet: