Health and Safety

[Digger-07]

I am looking at the possibility of working with an agency to set up a community garden scheme. The initial idea is to work with young people who need educational support.

I realise that H&S might not be everyones ideal subject. I have dealt with COSHH and Risk Assessments before but I need to look at other concerns that might be raised. Do any Grapes have any ideas?
Thanks.

[Gwyndy]

This sounds like a minefield!! Apart from your risk / COSHH assessments you will need adequate insurance - third party? / public liability? / professional indemnity? You will, almost certainly, also need the appropriate CRB check / clearance. If you are planning to work through an agency and with young people currently in the education system, then why not ask both the agency and your local authority for advice. You will need them both 'on board' if your project is going to work.

Good luck - I hope you succeed in your endeavours.

[Sheepish]

Digger, there's a charity local to me that does something similar. I won't post their details publicly without their permission, but I'll send you a link to their website as they must have had the same problems when setting up.

[Capsid]

I would have thought the Health & Safety Executive would be able to help you.

Information about health and safety at work

[Jardiniere]

Gwyndy's advice is spot on....as an ex local education authority H&S officer i would say get in touch with your local authority and ask to speak to their education H&S officer ...if i was still in engerland i could find out who it would be ...but i havent kept in contact since i retired.

[Peter]

Allotment Regeneration Initiative.

Their website has a range of "resources" i.e. factsheets, I quote:
Health and Safety on Allotments: A management guide

This information pack consists of 2 factsheets and 4 supporting documents. You can download these individually (see below). Alternatively you can order a paper copy using our publications order form.

• Introductory sheet
• All about risk assessments
• Activities requiring special management
• Allotment site hazards checklist
• Sample allotments risk assessment form
• Resources list

[Digger-07]

Thanks for all your help and advice. The site Peter suggested looks interesting.
The agency I will be working for will sort out all the legal stuff but I need to be aware of what they might need to look into hence the thread. I realise CRB will be needed, I already have 4 CRBs due to working in different places with vulnerable people so that is not a problem.
The group already have the site for the garden project and I hope it will be up and running before too long.
I will keep you informed as to the progress.

Thanks again.

[selfheal]

on top of the allotment related risks you need to factor in the child/vunerable people/untrained people risks- they may not be familiar with tools like a normal gardener so you will have to factor in those issues... tool talks at the start of every session is they way this risk is managed when working with school/community groups in environmental education/countryside management. just a basic "this is what we're going to do today, these are the tools, here are the safety points/how to use each one" suffices.

you will, as you probably already know, need first aid trained people on hand at all times, a full first aid kit with you.

plus you will need to keep next of kin contact details and information about medical conditions. If its school groups that will be down to the school to sort out, but if its run outside of schools then a 'volunteers form' would be useful- every time someone new comes along take them aside, and go through a form with them covering adress, emergency contact details, medical conditions and other basic information- take 2 copies of this form. It also gives you a quick chance to assess their knowledge and experience and general background which helps minimise risk. File one copy of the form at home (or add it to a computer database) and then make a folder of forms with the other copy and have that with you on site so if something happens its at hand.

If you can give us a little more basic information about the scheme i might be able to come up with some other risks that need to be adressed. Without really knowing what your doing/what the site is like its hard to give more detail

will the kids be working in large groups or on in a one on one situation, will there be someone there incharge of them or will that be down to those runnnig the project, will you need parental permissions, what are you going to do with them, what sorts of tools will they be around? will you be using chemicals and other potential harmful substances, will you be burning waste etc etc.... all need to be factored into the risk assessments for both the people running the scheme and those benefitting from it- the management may differ between the two

for example: you may decide to use herbicides to control weeds. For this risk i would rate it at the highest risk as it can cause death by poisening, medium risk of it happening and risk control would be to make sure that all chemicals are kept in a safe and secure container on site that only people running the scheme have access to. Herbicides only to be used by trained scheme leaders.

I would recomend planning some health and safety training for those running the scheme. Im pretty sure that if money is an issue you could apply for a grant under the lotteries Local Food scheme to fund parts of the scheme and the training. I would think that full first aid at work (4 days) for 1 or 2 people, first aid (1 day) for all other scheme workers/volunteers, plus sprayers for 1 or 2 designated chemical handlers, brush cutter/strimmer if you plan to buy or use one on a regular basis.... and probably manual handling for everyone too. Seems over the top but it is worht it- it would mean everyone is appropriately trained and accidents are less likely to happen, which is more reassuring for parents/schools/funders etc.

hope thats helpful

[Digger-07]

Thanks Selfheal.
File one copy of the form at home (or add it to a computer database).
Don't forget if it's stored on computer the person need to give permission. (Data Protection Act).

will the kids be working in large groups or on in a one on one situation, will there be someone there incharge of them or will that be down to those runnnig the project, will you need parental permissions, what are you going to do with them, what sorts of tools will they be around? will you be using chemicals and other potential harmful substances, will you be burning waste etc etc.... all need to be factored into the risk assessments for both the people running the scheme and those benefitting from it- the management may differ between the two

The "kids" will be young adults over 16, working in one location and under the supervision of at least 1 adult at all times. The project will be organic gardenning (community allotment type).

I am both first aid and health and safety qualified and a trainer in both.

Funding is my priority at the moment so thanks again for your hints.

[selfheal]

Sounds like you've got it well planned out then the only thing required is to make sure you have enough adults per young person. Im not sure what the legal requirement/advised number is at that age!

Definately try Local Food- i have been looking into funding for our villages brand new allotment site and Local Food would fit your type of project perfectly