The West End Park Association
Health and Safety in the Oval Gardens
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General Guidance for Volunteer Workers
1.General
Although WEPA will take the lead in promoting health and safety in the Oval Gardens, the people who volunteer to help with work in the gardens, must recognise that they share the responsibility for ensuring, so far as possible, that they do nothing which might cause injury to themselves or to others.
2.The Responsibilities of the Association
WEPA will make every practical effort to provide a safe working environment, to promote safe working practices and to create a climate in which there is an awareness of the importance of health and safety, in particular by:
a) Publishing an assessment of the risks to which persons working in the gardens or passing by or through the gardens may be subject and how these risks might be avoided or minimised;
b) Reviewing and, if necessary, revising this document from time to time in the light of changing circumstances and of feedback or advice received from workers, members or third parties;
c) Publishing guidance for volunteer workers in the form of codes of practice;
d) Drawing the attention of members and volunteer workers to these documents and to changes as they are made. All these documents and any changes can be found at the WEPA website www.westendpark.org.uk
3.Responsibilities of Volunteer Workers
All volunteers working in the gardens on behalf of the WEPA have an important part to play in Health and Safety.
Every volunteer working in the gardens should:
a) Carry out the work they are engaged in taking reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves, their co-workers and members of the public;
b) Use protective clothing and equipment when and where necessary;
c) Not interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests of health and safety;
d) Report any incident to WEPA which may have led to injury or damage. Such report in the first instance to be either to the gardens organiser or the secretary.
f) Become familiar with and act in accordance with the guidance published by WEPA at all times.
1.Introduction
The history and role of WEPA and its relationship with the owner of the gardens are described in greater detail on the homepage and under “History” on the Association’s website www.westendpark.org.uk.
Through WEPA the residents of the West End Park Estate carry out certain work in the Oval Gardens such as grass cutting, hedge cutting, leaf clearing and generally keep the gardens tidy including where necessary cutting back the growth of laurels.
The freehold owner of the gardens, presently the house builder Crest Nicholson, has responsibility for any matter affecting the numerous trees in the garden.
This ranges from an obligation to remove dead or diseased trees, to monitoring trees that could be a danger. In this respect the freehold owner liaises with Harrogate Borough Council where appropriate to seek permission for work on the trees.
2.Risks
Any consideration of health and safety issues must start with an assessment of the risks involved in the situation described above and, for the purposes of this document, what we, the members of WEPA, can do to avoid or lessen these risks. This document and the accompanying “General Guidance for Volunteer Workers” together with the specific policies relating to the storage and use of petrol, ride on mower, and hedge trimmers, set out those risks that have been identified.
3.Trees
3.1 The risks.
There are approximately 450 trees in gardens, some of which are very large and some of which are probably over 100 years old. Occasionally a tree falls or is blown over by the wind or a large branch falls, or breaks off and becomes lodged high above the ground, posing the risk that it might fall at some later time. Otherwise a tree may simply die and a dead tree is much more likely to fall than a living one.
3.2 Who is at risk?
A tree or a branch may fall outside the gardens onto one of the surrounding roads and footpaths and so people passing by as well as anyone within the gardens at the time could possibly be injured. Also people could be at risk in passing or parked vehicles.
3.3 What can be done?
Whilst the trees are the responsibility of the freehold owner we have a good working relationship with them and their appointed contractor and clearly as we are on the spot it is in our interest to notify the freehold owner and the contractor of any problem that comes to our notice. Any report should be made in the first instance to the gardens organiser or if they are not available to the secretary of the WEPA committee.
4. Dog Fouling
4.1 The risks.
Round worm eggs (Toxocara) in dog faeces can cause blindness, epilepsy, asthma and eye infections.
4.2 Who is at risk?
Anyone who comes into contact with dog faeces which may be picked up on shoes, toys and garden equipment, so anyone who walks through the gardens, brings their children to play there or does work in the gardens is potentially at risk. The worm eggs can survive in the soil even after the faeces have been washed away by rain, so children playing on the grass are particularly at risk.
4.3 What can be done?
The Oval Gardens are popular with dog walkers and it must be emphasised that the majority of people who walk their dogs in the gardens are responsible and pick up after their dogs. However there are evidently a number of dog owners who do not do this or are careless about their responsibilities as dog-owners. As the popularity of the gardens as a dog-walking venue is unlikely to decline, the only way in which the situation might be improved is by finding ways of persuading those irresponsible owners to change their ways and “Bag it, Tie it, Bin it”. Notices fixed around the gardens can help but the most effective way of tackling the problem is for anyone who witnesses a lapse to challenge the offender on the spot.
5. Members working in the Gardens
5.1 The risks
WEPA members do voluntary work in the gardens alone or in working parties, mainly using only hand tools which present very little risk. Nevertheless we must be vigilant to situations in which injury could be sustained and, in particular, those areas in which motor-driven equipment is used, specifically hedge-trimmers and the ride-on mower.
5.2 Who is at risk?
Principally the volunteers doing the work but also others who might be in the gardens at the time or passing by on the adjacent footpaths and roads.
5.3 What can be done?
In over 50 years since WEPA was founded no serious injury has been suffered by any volunteer worker or by any other person as a result of anything done by a worker. This however does not mean that we can afford to be complacent about health and safety matters and we seek to ensure that as far as practically possible, volunteers and others working in the gardens on behalf of the WEPA, shall not be exposed to risks to their health and safety. All activities must be carried out with the highest regard for their health and safety and for the health and safety of members of the public.
The people who volunteer to help with work in the gardens must acknowledge that they share the responsibility for ensuring, so far as possible, that they do nothing which might cause injury to themselves or to others. WEPA will play its part by:
a) Taking all practical steps to ensure that all equipment is appropriate to the task for which it is used and that it is maintained and operated in a safe manner, including the provision of appropriate protective equipment and clothing where necessary;
b) Providing safe arrangements for the use, handling, storage and transport of articles and substances;
c) Giving guidance, instruction, supervision and information to enable all volunteers working in the gardens on behalf of the Association, to carry out their duties in safety and to actively contribute to the safety within WEPA;
d) Maintaining a set of codes of practice and procedures relating to health and safety in areas where particular risks are present, including:
• Safe working: General Guidance for Volunteer Workers
• Safe operating practice for ride-on mower
• Safe operating practice for hedge trimmers
• Storage and use of petrol
• etc
e) Providing a first aid kit;
f) Defining areas of responsibility for safety where appropriate;
g) Ensuring that volunteers working in the gardens on behalf of the Association are aware of this policy and that it is actively complied with.
h) Consulting volunteers working in the gardens and others about arrangements for implementing, promoting and developing health and safety.
i) Providing the necessary resources with which to pursue this policy.
This document will from time to time be reviewed and amended as necessary. Any amendments will be posted on the WEPA website www.westendpark.org.uk.
6. Others working in the Oval Gardens
Contractors
WEPA employs contractors from time to time to do work which we are unable to do ourselves. It is a requirement that such contractors as are engaged are properly qualified to do the work they are contracted to do and that they have their own public liability insurance.
Hedge-Trimmers – Safe Operating Practice
If you have not previously used a hedge-trimmer you will receive basic instruction and safety advice with a demonstration before you start.
All our hedge-trimmers are electrically operated using mains voltage, either connected to a nearby domestic supply or to our mobile generator.
Potential Hazards:
• Rapidly moving sharp blades
• Could amputate fingers
• Can cut electrical flexes resulting in a risk of electrical shock
Observance of the following guidance will help you to avoid the risk of injury to yourself or to others.
1. We use RCD circuit-breakers to protect ourselves from electric shock. Before starting to cut, check that the cable has been connected through an RCD.
2. Wear gloves and goggles to protect your hands and eyes.
3. Position the flex correctly to avoid the risk of cutting through it. Have it passing over your shoulder and work away from the flex.
4. If you should cut the flex, do not touch the cut end but disconnect immediately at the nearest connector.
5. Our trimmers require two-handed operation and you will not be able to start them unless you have both hands on the handles. Keep both hands on the handles until the blades have stopped moving.
6. Do not touch the blades, for example to clear jammed material, without disconnecting the power supply first.
7. Be aware of the presence of other workers who may be nearby, cutting or sweeping-up cuttings, and also passers-by, and do not turn away from the hedge with the trimmer until the blades have stopped moving.
8. If you are clearing-up hedge cuttings, take care not to get near to the moving blades of a trimmer.
9. Do not cut hedges in the wet.
Ride On Mower – Safe Operating Practice
As a member of the grass-cutting team you will receive basic instruction and safety advice with a demonstration before you use the mower. Common sense will help you to avoid damage and injury but it is necessary to set out the risks and how to avoid them.
Potential Hazards:
• Rapidly rotating blades
• Could amputate fingers, toes or more!
• Can eject stones, broken glass etc
• Fire hazard
• From highly inflammable fuel
• From build-up of grass around the engine
• Risk of injury to driver
• From tipping on slopes
• From low-hanging branches
Before driving please make sure that you have read and understood the operating instructions in the leaflet and on the machine itself.
You should wear stout shoes or boots and trousers. You are advised to wear eye and hearing protection.
Specific rules for operating the mower
Our mower has a number of built-in safety over-rides, for example the engine will not start if the mower blade switch is in the “ON” position and it will cut out if you leave the driver’s seat. However you must observe the following rules:
1. Never allow children or anyone else to ride on the machine with you or allow anyone who is not a member of the grass-cutting team to drive the mower.
2. Keep clear of all moving parts.
3. Take care when people, particularly children, and animals are nearby and switch off the cutting blades if they get too close, especially on the grass discharge-chute (right-hand) side, though be aware that debris can be thrown out in any direction and may ricochet from a wall or a tree to pose a risk to yourself and others.
4. Keep a sharp look-out for sticks, stones, bottles etc which may become dangerous projectiles (as well as damaging the blades).
5. Operate the machine only in daylight.
6. Always turn off the blades and raise the cutting-deck when crossing footpaths, kerbs and roads.
7. Never leave the machine with the engine running. Always turn off the blades, set the parking brake, stop the engine, and remove the key before dismounting.
8. Switch of the engine, and then refill the fuel tank outside the store before driving in. This will avoid problems with fuel spilt on the floor of the store and will minimise the consequences of a fire.
9. Do not attempt to refuel with the engine running and take care not to over-fill the tank and not to spill onto the hot engine or exhaust.
10. Do not allow grass or twigs to accumulate near the engine or exhaust.
11. Although the slopes around the Oval are generally very gently inclined, be aware of the possibility of tipping sideways. Driving up or down a slope is safer than driving across it.
12. Look out for low-hanging branches and report them to the Gardens Organiser (or remove them yourself). These can be especially dangerous to the eyes.
13. Take care and look out for traffic when crossing a road.
Storage and use of petrol – Safe practice
Steel safety petrol cans with spring closures are provided to reduce the risk of spillage during transportation of petrol and the risk of fire. The old 5 litre plastic cans kept in the store are used only for mixing 2-stroke oil (for the leaf-blowers) and are not to be used for transporting fuel.
Advice on re-fuelling the ride-on mower and other equipment is given separately but, in general, all filling of petrol-operated equipment and mixing of oil with petrol should be done outside the store. Any spillage of petrol inside the store should be mopped up immediately.
Never smoke when handling petrol.