Planting & Soft Works Risk Assessment

Typical hazards & measures

• Lone working — Use check-in procedures and defined end-of-shift calls; carry a charged phone and location details. Avoid higher-risk tasks alone (augering, bankside work). Share site address and access instructions for responders; set emergency contact and escalation times.
• Vehicular plant interface — Plan segregated routes for dumpers/miniexcavators; establish pedestrian-free loading zones. Use plant-people exclusion, eye contact and agreed signals with the operator. Fit beacons/alarms; keep spoil/racks within reach of plant to avoid slewing over people. Brief spotter roles.
• Excavation collapse (small pits) — Assess ground stability and saturation; keep pits within required size and edge them with boards where friable. Store vertical tools away from edges. Manage spoil so it cannot roll back. Backfill in lifts, tamp to remove voids, and cordon pits when unattended.
• Chemical irritants (fertilisers) — Handle fertilisers with gloves/eye protection; avoid dust generation and decant using scoops. Keep products labelled and sealed; never mix with other chemicals. Clean spills immediately, dispose of waste per site rules, and wash hands before breaks and vehicle entry.
• Inadequate briefing — Hold start-of-day brief on species, spacings, service maps, traffic/plant routes, public interface and watering plan. Confirm roles, stop signals, first-aid/ALS location and emergency access. Review mid-shift and adjust sequencing as conditions change.