Our Obligations
Under civil law, and as set out in the Occupiers' Liability Act 1957, all plot-holders have a common duty of care to anyone accessing their plot, and the pathways for which they are responsible. This includes both authorised and unauthorised visitors. As an association, we have a communal duty to ensure that common areas, such as main access paths are safe. The law requires that in all these areas we exercise at least a ‘reasonable’ level of care regarding safety. Although unlikely, a claim could be made for negligence when an individual suffered an injury because we didn’t take reasonable precautions. It is not possible in English law to exclude liability, for example by way of a notice
The Parc-an-Colan Allotment Association is self-governing, however we come under the Duchy of Cornwall umbrella. As we are self-governing and are the occupiers of the site, we must assess our own liability and risks and ensure we take great care the allotment is safe. Although we cannot prevent accidents, the allotment association is required to complete risk assessments to mitigate risks as much as reasonably practicable.
In addition, the Parc-an-Colan Allotment Association must hold the appropriate liability cover for these premises.
Risk assessments are subject to review annually. Additional assessments may be undertaken should the situation change.
Please note, that some areas of the assessment below, specifically relating to machinery safety are covered by a separate set of Safe Working Procedures that must be signed to say that you have read and understood them.
A hazard is something that can cause injury, for example exposed sharp edges. Hazards can sometimes be removed, but may be inevitable. Risks are the potential threats caused by the hazards, for example injury from a hidden sharp edge or a vehicle accident. Risks can usually be avoided.
Injuries and “near-misses”, and any other safety-related issues must be reported to a member of the Committee (please see notice board) so that any existing hazard or risk can be eliminated and prevented in the future.
No. Hazard Degree of Risk
(before)
(F+S) x P = D Actions / Controls Degree of Risk
(After)
(F+S) x P = D Further Controls if required
1 Slips, trips and falls 6 + 5 x 3 = 33 • H&S Guide
• Maintain footpaths
• Fill any ruts or divots
• Regular mowing of grass
• Remove trip hazards
• Appropriate Footwear 6 + 5 x 1 = 11 • Risk acceptable, however
• Warning Signs
• Periodic inspections
2 Contact with sharp objects
Green house glass
Brambles 4 + 5 x 3 = 27 • H&S Guide
• Wear gloves
• Stay vigilante
• First Aid Kit (FAK) in Communal shed 4 + 2 x 3 = 18 • Risk acceptable, however
• Periodic inspections
3 Use of Hand Tools, injuries from contact 4 + 5 x 2 = 18 • H&S Guide
• Wear suitable gloves and footwear
• Follow manufactures recommendations 4 + 2 x 2 = 12 • Risk acceptable, however keep tools clean and serviceable.
4 Power Tools
Lawn Mowers, strimmer’s & Rotavator’s
Risk from moving parts, heat, fuel, weight
6 + 8 x 3 = 42 • H&S Guide
• Training
• Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Must follow Safe working Procedures.
• Serviced and Maintained
• Follow manufactures guidance 6 + 5 x 2 = 22 • Risk reduced, however further controls
• Do not remove guards
• Re-fuel in well ventilated area
5 Roadway surface
(at entrance) uneven for pedestrians and cyclists 8 + 5 x 3 = 39 • H&S Guide
• Cyclist dismount
• Review regularly and make repairs
• Appropriate PPE 8 + 2 x 1 = 10 • Risk Acceptable
6 Roadway surface
(at entrance) for vehicles.
Potholes and loose gravel 8 + 5 x 3 = 39 • H&S Guide
• Pull away slowly
• Review regularly and make repairs
• Resurface entrance 8 + 2 x 1 = 10 • Risk Acceptable
7 Pesticides and Fertilisers
Ingestion, inhalation and absorption 2 + 8 x 2 = 20 • H&S Guide
• Appropriate PPE
• Avoid de-canting
• Good ventilation 2 + 8 x 1 = 10 • Risk acceptable, however
• Use more organic methods.
8 Exposure to Sun/Heat
Sunburn, Sun stroke Hydration 9 + 7 x 5 = 80 • H&S Guide
• Sun Hat
• Sun Screen
• Limit exposure
• Drink fluids 9 + 2 x 2 = 22 • Risk acceptable, however
• Loose clothing
• Be alert of the weather conditions
9 Exposure to cold
Hyperthermia 2 + 8 x 1 = 10 • H&S Guide
• Warm Clothing
• Be alert of weather conditions NA • No further action required
10 Working alone 6 + 7 x 4 = 52 • H&S Guide
• Avoid working alone
• Mobile phone
• Always let someone know where you are 4 + 5 x 2 = 18 • Risk acceptable
11 Exposure to bacteria and pathogens etc 9 + 5 x 3 = 42 • H&S Guide
• Wear gloves when handling compost and manure
• Wash hands thoroughly
• Keep cuts and grazes covered 2 + 8 x 1 = 10 • Risk acceptable, however
• Maintain a clean and tidy plot with good hygiene practices
12 Plot structures, including sheds, greenhouses and poly tunnels, condition 2 + 5 x 2 = 14 • H&S Guide
• Inspect derelict or dangerous structures
• Fixed securely to ground 2 + 2 x 2 = 8 • Risk acceptable, however
• Periodic inspections
13 Rubbish
Wood, nails, glass,
general waste, e.t.c 10 + 7 x 4 = 68 • H&S Guide
• Work days, tidy allotment
• Continual removal of waste 10 + 2 x 2 = 24 • Risk acceptable, however
• Do not allow rubbish to build up
14 Bonfires
Fire, smoke, 4 + 8 x 3 = 36 • H&S Guide
• Fire extinguisher
• Bucket of water on hand
• Keep control
• No propellants to be used 4 + 5 x 2 = 18 • Risk acceptable, however
• Avoid bonfires
15 Boundaries and fencing
Overgrown, brambles 6 + 5 x 3 = 33 • H&S Guide
• Boundaries and hedges maintained
• Fill ruts and divots 6 + 2 x 2 = 16 • Risk acceptable, however
• Periodic inspections
16 Emergency Contact Details 2 + 8 x 2 = 20 • H&S Guide
• H&S notice board
• Display contact details 2 + 8 x 1 = 10 • No further action required
17 Individual paths on plots
Access round plot
Uneven ground 8 + 5 x 3 = 39 • H&S Guide
• Remove barriers
• Suitable access
• Fill holes or ruts 8 + 5 x 2 = 26 • Risk reduced, however further controls
• Enforce rules
• Periodic inspections
18 Compost bins
Vermin, disease 10 + 7 x 4 = 68 • H&S Guide
• Keep lids on bins
• Wear gloves when handling
• Wash hands 10 + 2 x 3 = 36 • Risk reduced, however further controls
• Humane traps
• Use hand tools for compost material
19 Storage of Flammable substances
Fire, leaks 10 + 8 x 2 = 36 • H&S Guide
• Store correctly
• Use correct containers
• Label correctly
• Warning Signs 10 + 5 x 1 = 15 • Risk acceptable, however
• Periodic inspections
20 First Aid Kit, Eye Wash 2 + 8 x 3 = 30 • H&S Guide
• Check contents and expiry dates
• Annual Check 2 + 8 x 1 = 10 • No further action required
21 Fire Extinguishers 2 + 8 x 3 = 30 • H&S Guide
• Check contents and expiry dates
• Annual Check 2 + 8 x 1 = 10 • No further action required
22 Plot Ponds 0 + 9 x 1 = 9 • H&S Guide
• Keep shallow
• Keep covered, grate
• Particular care taken when children are about NA • No further action required
23 Signage
No information available
H&S alerts 2 + 5 x 3 = 21 • H&S Guide
• H&S notice board
• Safety alerts 2 + 5 x 1 = 7 • No further action required
24 Toilets Not at Present NA
25 Communal Area
walkways 9 + 2 x 3 = 33 • H&S Guide
• Remove barriers
• Suitable access
• Fill holes or ruts 9 + 2 x 1 = 11 • No further action required
26 Communal Storage area
Power tools, Fuel
Trips 6 + 7 x 3 = 39 • H&S Guide
• See 4
• See 19
• Ensure area is kept in order and maintained 6 + 5 x 2 = 22 • Risk acceptable, however
• Periodic inspections
27 Vermin, disease 6 + 8 x 3 = 42 • H&S Guide
• See 16
• Humane traps 6 + 7 x 2 = 26 • Risk acceptable, however
• Periodic inspections
28 Vehicles on allotment 9 + 8 x 3 = 51 • H&S Guide
• Speed Limit 5 mph
• Speed signs
• Be vigilant for pedestrians 9 + 5 x 2 = 28 • Risk reduced, however further controls
• Warning issued for speed
• Further signs
29 Water Butts risk of disease and infections 8 + 7 x 3 = 45 • H&S Guide
• Keep lids on water butts
• Do not wash hands in stagnant water
• Regular use water to replace with fresh 2 + 8 x 2 = 20 • No further action required
30 Insurance 10 + 9 x 1 = 19 • H&S Guide
• Annual premium paid
• Correct liability insurance
• Annual inspection 10 + 9 x 0 = 19 • No further action required
31 Taps, Water supply
leaks 8 + 7 x 2 = 30 • H&S Guide
• Non return valves Fitted
• Clearly marked suitable for drinking
• Boil water 8 + 7 x 1 = 19 • Risk acceptable, however
• Periodic inspections
32 Working at height 2 + 8 x 3 = 30 • H&S Guide
• Avoid working at height
• 3 points of contact
• Suitable steps or ladder 2 + 5 x 2 = 14 • No further action required
33 Communal BBQ
Fire, Hygiene 4 + 8 x 3 = 36 • H&S Guide
• See 14 4 + 5 x 2 = 18 • Risk acceptable, however
• Keep control
34 Manual Handling 10 + 3 x 4 = 52 • H&S Guide
• Avoid lifting heavy items
• Know your limits
• Two-man lift if required
• Lift correctly, back straight
• Use lifting aids 10 + 1 x 3 = 33 • Risk reduced, however further controls
• Get help
• Break load into smaller components
35
Coronavirus (Covid 19) 3 + 9 x 3 = 36 • H&S Guide
• Follow UK Gov Guidelines
• National Allotment Society Guidelines
• Hands- Face-Space 2 + 9 x 1 = 11 • Risk acceptable
however
• Must follow national guidelines
35
Environmental Wildlife Pond 2 + 9 x 2 = 22 • H&S Guide
• Fence off
• Warning signs
• Children should be supervised at all times 1 + 9 x 1 = 10 • No further action required
36 Communal Shed, Solar power and Batteries, electrocution 0 + 8 x 1 = 8 • H&S Guide
• In-case batteries to stop touching
• Signage 0 + 8 x 1 = 8 • Risk acceptable
37 Communal Shed, Electrical Fire 0 + 9 x 1 = 9 • H&S Guide
• Fire extinguisher dry powder
• Signage 0 + 9 x 1 = 9 • Risk acceptable
38 Waste, Rubbish
Rats, disease, 4 + 7 x 4 + 44 • H&S Guide
• Regularly remove waste and rubbish from allotment 2 + 7 x 2 + 18 • Risk acceptable
Name E. Howard (Plot 5) Position H&S Advisor Date 30 Mar 2023 Signature E Howard
Risk Assessment Confirmed By:
Name A. Hayne (Plot 28) Position Chair Date 30 Mar 2023 Signature A Hayne
Risk calculation guidance sheet (Frequency + Severity) x Probability = Degree of Risk
Frequency of exposure to hazard + Severity of likely outcome x Probability of occurrence = Risk
10
9 Continuous
Very frequent 10 Catastrophe
(multiple deaths) 5 Certain to occur 90 - 100 Very high risk
Take immediate action
Stop operation
8 Frequent, a few times per day 9 Disaster (death) 4 Can be expected to occur 80 - 89 High risk
Action required urgently
6 Occasionally, a few times per week 8 Very serious, (accident & Emergency, hospital) 3 Quite possible 50 – 79 Substantial risk
Correction required
4 Few per month 7 Serious (doctor/reportable) 2 Unusual but possible 20 – 49 Possible action required
2 Rare, few per year 5 Important (first aid) 1 Unlikely 10 – 19 Risk perhaps acceptable
0 Very rare 2 Noticeable 0 Practically impossible 0 - 9 No action required
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) would be classed as all clothing that protects you from hazards, such as gloves, boots, eye protection.
Version control
Amendments Version Author Issue date
Draft Draft E Howard 03/02/2021
Original issue 1.0 E Howard 15/06/2020
Updated (Covid) 2.0 E Howard 18/02/2021
Annual Review 3.0 E Howard 19/07/2022
Annual Review 4.0 E Howard 30/03/2023
New paragraph
