Gardening Risk Assessment

Landscape Design and Planning

Soil Preparation and Fertilization

Planting and Transplanting

Pruning and Trimming of Trees and Shrubs

Irrigation Management and System Maintenance

Lawn Mowing and Maintenance

Weed and Pest Control

Mulching and Soil Management

Garden Bed Maintenance and Weeding

Seasonal Garden Maintenance (e.g., Fall clean-up, Spring planting)

Tree and Shrub Care (e.g., Disease management, cabling and bracing)

Outdoor Lighting Design and Maintenance.

Physical Hazards – e.g., cuts, falls, heavy lifting injuries, slips, trips, etc.

Health Hazards – e.g., exposure to pesticides, allergens, dust, heat exhaustion, etc.

Fire Hazards – e.g., fires caused by equipment malfunctions or exposure to open flames.

Biological Hazards – e.g., exposure to hazardous plants, bacteria, fungi, etc.

Chemical Hazards – e.g., skin irritation, respiratory issues, poisoning, etc.

Noise Hazards – e.g., hearing damage from high levels of noise

Ergonomic Hazards – e.g., repetitive strain injuries, back pain, etc.

Vehicle Accidents – e.g., collisions, rollovers, equipment malfunctions, etc.

Human Error – e.g., incorrect procedures, miscommunication, lack of training, etc.

Wildlife Hazards – e.g., animal attacks, exposure to venomous creatures, etc.

Workplace safety assessments and risk assessments:

The department should conduct regular safety assessments and risk assessments to identify potential hazards and assess the level of risk associated with each hazard.

Training and education:
All gardening workers should receive training and education on safe work practices and proper use of tools and equipment. This should be an ongoing process to keep workers informed about new hazards and safety procedures.

Personal protective equipment (PPE):

Workers should be provided with the necessary PPE to protect them from physical, chemical, and biological hazards. This may include gloves, safety glasses, hard hats, and respiratory protection.

Safe work procedures and protocols:

The department should develop and implement safe work procedures and protocols that outline the steps workers should take to safely perform their duties. These procedures should be reviewed and updated regularly to ensure they remain relevant and effective.

Maintenance of equipment and facilities:

Regular maintenance and inspection of equipment and facilities is important to ensure they are in good working condition and free of hazards.

Emergency response plan:

The department should develop an emergency response plan to be prepared for potential incidents, such as fires, chemical spills, and accidents. Workers should be trained on the plan and regularly review it.

Incident reporting:

Workers should be encouraged to report any incidents or near misses, and an effective reporting system should be in place to track incidents and identify trends and patterns. This information can be used to make improvements to the department’s safety program.

Chemical safety:

Proper storage, handling, and disposal of chemicals used in gardening activities should be in place to minimize exposure and prevent accidents.

Power tool safety:

Workers should be trained on the safe use of power tools, including lawnmowers, hedge trimmers, and chainsaws, to minimize the risk of injury.

Ergonomics:

The department should assess the physical demands of gardening tasks and make adjustments as needed to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders, such as back injuries and repetitive strain injuries.

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