Highway Maintenance Services Group

ENVIRONMENT AND NEIGHBOURHOOD SERVICES GMU /RA/020

Team / Facility GROUNDS SERVICES Assessor ANDY HARPER

Date of Assessment 16th JUNE 2011 Planned Review Date Annually

Task/Operation Grass Mowing using Triple Mowers – Areas around the Number of Persons Members of the Public 1 - 30 and location: East Riding at risk: Individual Operator 1

RISK ASSESSMENT

This Risk Assessment has been completed in accordance with the Councils Code of Practice & Guidelines relating to the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. The risk rating has been deduced from the following formula – Likelihood x Severity. Note – The likelihood of an accident/incident accruing may increase according to the frequency of the task. The severity of an accident/incident may be affected by the number of persons at risk.

Likelihood (L) Severity (S) 1 Almost impossible 1 Low -Causing a minor injury. Cuts or bruising 2 Improbable/ not very likely to happen 2 Medium – Absence from work for less than 3 days/strain and sprain 3 Possible/could happen 3 Major – Absence from work for more than 3 days/ fractures, burns etc 4 Very likely/would not be surprised 4 High – Long term absence from work/slipped disc 5 Inevitable/certain to happen 5 Fatality

Total Score Risk Category 1 Considered tolerable risk, normal day to day activity 2-10 Risk is to be controlled as far as is reasonably practicable by completion of risk assessment & method statement 11-20 Hazard must be avoided or the level of risk reduced significantly by control measures & safe systems of work 21-25 Advice should be obtained from the Safety Services Unit before proceeding with the task.

1 Significant Identified Existing Control Measures L S Total Existing Additional Control Measures Required L S Total Hazards Score Control to Reduce Level of Risk to Acceptable Scor = Measures Level e = L x S OK L x S

Triple mowers only to be used by 3 3 9 Y Introduce ROP’s on all future new Overturning competent trained operatives up to Level replacement triple mowers. 2 NPTC Certificate of Competence in the Safe use of Mowers. Operators shall have the relevant manufacturer’s operator training. Working knowledge of cutting on bank/slope areas within manufacturers recommended guidelines up to 16- degree angles, as highlighted on work schedule/round sheet. Do not operate machine across the face of any slope beyond 16 degrees Exercise extreme care when changing direction on any slope Do not stop or start suddenly when going up or downhill. Engage drive slowly, especially when travelling downhill. Be aware of ground conditions that may affect traction and be alert for humps, hollows and any other hidden hazards Survey slope angles across the East Riding area and seek alternative cutting methods on areas beyond 16 degrees Where ROP’s are fitted seatbelts must be worn in line with manufacturer’s recommendations. ROP’s to be fixed in upright position at all times. Machines to be regularly serviced and inspected.

2 Machines not to be fuelled up in 3 3 9 Y Fuelling operations confined spaces always in open. See Risk assessment GMU/RA/O08

Entanglement from Drivers only to clear minor blockages to 3 3 9 Y moving parts the cutting units, in line with safe working method. Awareness of Hydraulic oil pressure tension on cutting cylinders when making adjustments to cutting units. Dangerous parts of machine to be guarded wherever possible. Safety cut out switches to be operational and functional at all times.

3 3 9 Y Collision with other road Flashing beacons/warning devices to be users, persons and objects used. Be aware of nearby traffic, pedestrians etc when crossing or near to the highway. Take extreme caution when reversing. Trained and competent drivers Grass cutting activities planned High visibility clothing to be worn at all times when operating triple mowers

Flying objects Be aware of flying objects thrown from 3 3 9 Y cutting cylinder. Ensure that cylinder unit grass deflectors are fitted and adjusted correctly (below horizontal level) at all times to deflect any discharge to the ground. Awareness of safe distances from other people Hand Arm Vibration / whole Vibration measurement (manufacturers 3 3 9 Y body vibration. guidance) Regular maintenance Occ health surveillance Purchasing / hire policy Noise Conduct noise risk assessment. 3 2 6 Y

3 Purchasing policy Hearing tests for employees exposed above 85dBA. Safety signage Wear PPE suitable ear defenders or earplugs.

Fire Correct storage of fuel 3 2 6 Y Avoid ignition sources near combustible materials. Fire extinguisher Regular maintenance and servicing.

Oil spillage Inform line manager and arrange clear 3 1 3 Y up in line with procedure. Refer to COSHH Data Sheet Cordon off area Avoid ignition sources Musical aids/Mobile Phones Mobile Phones, Ipods MP players and 3 2 6 Y distractions other musical aids not to be used whilst operating triple mowers.

4 Training Requirements

 Triple mowers must only be operated by trained/competent operatives up to Level 2 Certificate of Competence in the Safe use of Mowers  Manufacturers Operator Training

Personal Protective Equipment Required

 Hi Visibility Jacket /Sleeved Tabard  Ear defenders or Ear pugs  Safety Footwear (steel Mid sole & steel toe cap essential)  Safety Gloves  Safety Sunglasses (if required)  Dust mask (if required due to conditions on site)  First Aid Kit

Emergency Arrangements

 All Accidents, incidents, near misses or damage caused to all vehicles/equipment must be reported to your line manager immediately and recorded; information may be required to revise risk assessments if required.

 All incidents that cannot be dealt with in line with the East Riding risk assessments or by on site facilities should be reported to your line manager / supervisor immediately to arrange repair or, if required recovery by the ERYC FMO workshops (you may also have direct contact with your nearest FMO workshop)

 In the event of a serious accident call the emergency services (999) and inform your line manager immediately and complete all the relevant forms.  Fire – Follow on site Fire procedures and report to evacuation muster points as instructed.  First Aid – Follow on site procedures and if required, call the emergency services (999) inform your line manager accordingly.

Additional Risk Assessments Relevant To This Work Operation/Task (COSHH, Moving & Handling, Lone Working etc.)

GMU/RA/002 Slips,Trips & Falls GMU/RA/003 Manual Handling GMU/RA/004 Personal Protective Equipment GMU/RA/008 Refuelling GMU/RA/009 Operation of vehicles (general)

PLEASE NOTE THIS LIST IS NOT EXHAUSTIVE CONSIDER OTHER ASSESSMENTS THAT MAY BE RELATED

5 SAFE WORKING METHOD

Details Of How The Task Will Be Carried Out

The daily work programme must be planned with care by experienced and competent operatives All triple mowers must be regularly inspected by the operator and any defects found must be reported immediately to arrange repairs Daily and weekly maintenance of triple mowers to be carried out as per manufacturers operators manual recommendations Amber flashing beacons fitted will be functional at all times even when cutting Arrive on site and ensure adequate PPE is worn. If required unload triple mower Report to school office reception areas (During school hours) and inform staff that your on site and sign in, if applicable Ensure that before commencing that the immediate area is free from members of the public and children Rops to be fixed in upright position at all times when operating machines. Do not attempt to clear obstructions or rotate cutting cylinders by hand or using fingers, always use a piece of wood or stout object as cylinders may be under hydraulic pressure. Triple mower engine to be stopped before making any adjustments or clearing any blockages to cylinder units. Only cut grass areas as directed and instructed to do so, especially any not cut slope areas beyond 16 degrees. Triple mower must be stopped before making any adjustments to cutting head units or otherwise. Ensure Parking brake is engaged Disengage cutting unit catches Lower cutting units Switch off engine Adjust cutting height to desired level and start up engine Check area safe to commence cutting (School Children, members of the public etc) Select full throttle and engage cutting units. Proceed to cut grass at appropriate speed, disengage cutting units Lift cutting units, reduce engine speed, engage parking brake Switch off engine, Engage cutting unit catches in to locking position Clear off excess grass cuttings from cutting units, start up engine Load to trailer or vehicle for transporting if required If required, Report to school office reception areas (During school hours) and sign out Leave site and travel to next location Do not carry passengers, do not leave mower unattended with keys in ignition.

REMEMBER there is no such thing as a “safe” slope. Travel on grass slopes requires particular care. To guard against overturning or loss of traction when travelling or mowing on a slope:

 Exercise extreme care when changing direction on a slope.  Do not cut within 1m of the top edge of any bank area  Do not stop or start suddenly.  Engage drive slowly.  Keep machine speed low.  Avoid tight turns.  Stay alert for humps, hollows and other hidden hazards.  Keep away from sharp inclines and steep drops. Refer to your risk assessment or ask supervision before using grass mowers.

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