Leaf Blowing & Clearance Risk Assessment Template

Typical hazards & measures

• Community nuisance and complaints — Plan start and finish times to respect quiet hours; notify clients or neighbours in advance; use lower-noise kit and throttle limits; avoid blowing dust onto properties; deploy screens where practical; clean up thoroughly; provide contact point for concerns; resolve complaints promptly.
• Flying debris and projectiles — Establish a 15–20 m exclusion zone with spotters and clear signage; direct airflow away from people, pets, windows and vehicles; wear EN166F eye and face protection; work upwind; stop if anyone enters the zone; reduce throttle on hard surfaces and where loose gravel is present.
• Fragile surfaces and property damage — Pre-scan for loose gravel, decorative stones, solar lights and fragile glazing; reduce throttle near cars and windows; keep nozzle at least 0.5 m from delicate finishes; use soft sweeps around mulch; cover vehicles or relocate where possible; agree protection with client before starting.
• Hidden hazards in debris — Conduct a visual sweep for glass, sharps, dog fouling and stones; hand pick or shovel hazardous items before blowing; wear cut resistant gloves; keep tongs and a sharps box available; do not entrain unknown powders; brief team on bio contamination; wash hands before breaks; segregate waste safely.
• Work on steps, banks and water edges — Plan approach from the top down on slopes; maintain three points of contact when stepping; avoid overreaching with hose; use slower passes and smaller arcs; mark edges near water; wear buoyancy aids where required; stop if footing is compromised; designate a second person for bankside jobs.