Irrigation Install & Maintenance Risk Assessment Template

Typical hazards & measures

• Chemical adhesives and primers — Use in ventilated areas away from ignition. Wear nitrile gloves and goggles; avoid skin contact. Decant minimal quantities, close lids promptly, and store upright in COSHH trays. Provide spill kit, dispose of rags safely, and wash hands before eating, drinking, or leaving site.
• Lone working and welfare — Avoid lone high-risk tasks; where unavoidable, use check-in protocols and man-down alarms. Provide accessible welfare, drinking water, and first aid. Ensure signal coverage or radios, known location, and a clear escalation plan with agreed response times and contacts.
• Public access and site security — Fence trenches and equipment, lock tanks/valve boxes, and remove keys from controllers. Use clear signage and maintain clean pedestrian routes. Secure chemicals and fuels. Brief crew on safeguarding expectations and polite public engagement on occupied sites.
• Traffic management near roads — Plan with compliant signage, cones, and barriers. Maintain sight lines, provide off-carriageway parking, and supervise crossings for people and materials. Use high-vis with retro-reflective strips and task lighting at dusk. Review layouts in rain and adjust for visibility.
• Underground services — Review current utility plans, scan with CAT/Genny and mark routes. Hand-dig trial holes to confirm depth/line. Set dig limits, use insulated tools near electric, and brief permit-to-dig. Stop on warning tape or anomalies, re-survey with a competent supervisor before work resumes.