Planting & Soft Works Risk Assessment Template

Typical hazards & measures

• Sharp tools and stakes — Issue sharp, maintained spades and loppers; fit guards and sheath when carried. Hold stakes at arm’s length and strike with a mallet, keeping a clear arc. Wear cut-resistant gloves and eye protection when cutting/tying. Store tools on mats, not in grass.
• Watering and hoses — Plan routes along boundaries; bridge pedestrian paths with mats and mark crossings. Use quick-release couplers to prevent whipping and control flow at the nozzle to avoid flooding hard surfaces. Coil and store hoses neatly when not in use; bleed pressure before disconnecting.
• Lighting / low light work — Plan daylight tasks first; if extending, provide compliant task and area lighting with glare control. Mark edges, pits and routes with reflective cones/tape. Use high-viz and head-torches for close work. Increase exclusion distances and slow movements; brief hand signals.
• 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.
• 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.