LND/Specific/TBT-LND-010

Turfing and Seeding Operations

Landscaping & External Works › Specific › Turfing and Seeding Operations

Presenter		Project
Location		Date

Turfing and seeding create grassed areas on construction sites for landscaping, erosion control, and amenity use.
Turf rolls weigh 15 to 25 kilograms each; laying hundreds per day causes significant back and knee strain.
Repetitive bending, kneeling, and carrying during turfing is one of the most demanding manual handling tasks.
Hydroseeding uses pressurised spray equipment to apply seed, mulch, and fertiliser to prepared surfaces.
Fertilisers and soil conditioners are irritants; skin and eye contact causes redness and chemical burns.
Working on steep slopes during turfing and seeding creates slip and fall hazards, especially when wet.
Ride-on equipment for large-scale seeding creates struck-by risks for ground workers in the same area.
Turf delivery vehicles require banksmen and safe unloading areas near the laying zone.
The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 require controls for the repetitive heavy work of turfing.
Knee pads, mechanical turf layers, and task rotation reduce the physical impact on operatives.

Back and knee injury	Repetitive lifting, bending, and kneeling during turfing causes chronic back pain and knee damage.
Chemical irritation	Fertilisers and hydroseeding chemicals irritate skin, eyes, and respiratory passages on contact.
Slope hazards	Wet grass and prepared surfaces on slopes cause slips that result in falls and injuries.

Don't

Use knee pads and rotate tasks regularly to reduce strain from repetitive turfing.
Carry turf rolls close to your body and avoid twisting while lifting.
Wear gloves and wash hands after handling fertilisers and soil conditioners.
Wear eye protection when using hydroseeding spray equipment under pressure.
Use mechanical turf laying equipment for large areas to reduce manual handling.
Assess slope stability and use safe access methods on steep banks during turfing.
Take regular breaks from kneeling and bending to prevent back and knee strain.
Use a banksman when unloading turf deliveries near the laying area.
Keep the turfing area clear of trip hazards from tools, rolls, and packaging.
Brief the team on the manual handling controls and rotation schedule each morning.

DON'T lay turf for extended periods without breaks and task rotation.
DON'T lift turf rolls while twisting your body; move your feet instead.
DON'T handle fertilisers and chemicals without gloves and eye protection.
DON'T walk on wet steep slopes in smooth-soled footwear during turfing.
DON'T ignore knee pain or back stiffness; report early symptoms promptly.
DON'T spray hydroseeding chemicals without checking the wind direction first.
DON'T allow ride-on seeders and ground workers in the same area without separation.
DON'T leave turf roll packaging and debris scattered across the work area.
DON'T operate hydroseeding equipment without reading the chemical safety data sheet.
DON'T refuse mechanical aids or task rotation offered to reduce manual handling.

See also: Landscaping Safety Awareness | Manual Handling Awareness

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