Landscaping Safety Awareness

Landscaping works include planting, turfing, fencing, paving, tree surgery, and the use of powered garden equipment.
Chainsaws, hedge trimmers, strimmers, and ride-on mowers cause serious injuries including lacerations and amputations.
PUWER 1998 requires all landscaping equipment to be maintained, guarded, and used only by trained operators.
Manual handling of paving slabs, fence posts, topsoil bags, and plants causes back and shoulder injuries.
Pesticides, herbicides, and fertilisers are hazardous substances requiring COSHH assessments and proper PPE.
Tree surgery and arboriculture work involves working at height with chainsaws — a high-risk combination.
Landscaping often takes place near completed buildings and occupied areas, requiring public protection measures.
Underground services may be present in landscaping areas — scanning is required before excavating tree pits or fence post holes.
Ride-on mowers and tractors can overturn on slopes, embankments, and uneven ground, trapping the operator.
Insect stings, thorns, poisonous plants, and UV exposure are additional outdoor hazards for landscaping workers.

Prevent lacerations	Chainsaws, strimmers, and hedge trimmers cause severe cuts and amputations — correct training and PPE are essential.
Chemical safety	Pesticides and herbicides are toxic substances — COSHH assessments and PPE prevent poisoning and skin contamination.
Protect the public	Landscaping near occupied areas exposes the public to flying debris, chemicals, and moving plant — separation is critical.

Do

Don't

Ensure you are trained and competent before operating any powered landscaping equipment.
Wear the correct PPE for each tool — chainsaw trousers, visor, gloves, and hearing protection.
Read the COSHH assessment before using any pesticide, herbicide, or chemical treatment.
Scan for buried services before digging tree pits, fence post holes, or planting beds.
Set up exclusion zones to protect the public from flying debris and moving equipment.
Inspect all powered equipment including guards and safety features before each use.
Use mechanical aids for heavy items such as paving slabs, bags of aggregate, and fence posts.
Follow safe working procedures for ride-on mowers on slopes and uneven ground.
Apply sun cream and wear a hat when working outdoors for prolonged periods.
Report any contact with poisonous plants, insect stings, or allergic reactions promptly.

DON'T use chainsaws, strimmers, or hedge trimmers without proper training and PPE.
DON'T operate powered equipment with damaged, missing, or bypassed safety guards.
DON'T apply chemicals without reading the COSHH assessment and wearing required PPE.
DON'T dig in landscaping areas without scanning for buried services beneath the surface.
DON'T allow the public to enter exclusion zones during landscaping operations.
DON'T use equipment that has not been checked and confirmed safe for the shift.
DON'T lift heavy paving or bags of material manually when mechanical aids are available.
DON'T operate ride-on mowers across steep slopes — follow the manufacturer's gradient limits.
DON'T ignore UV exposure — sunburn and heat exhaustion develop quickly on exposed sites.
DON'T handle unfamiliar plants without gloves — some species cause severe skin reactions.

See also: Chainsaw Operations Safety | Tree Surgery & Arboriculture Safety

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