Fencing and landscaping risk assessment and RAMS template

• Service plans checked, the fence line scanned with a cable locator and signal generator, and services marked before any post goes in.
• Trial holes dug by hand to confirm position and depth where the line crosses or runs near a service.
• No post driven, augered or pinned over a marked line; marks in paint or wooden pegs, never steel pins.

BeforeHigh 20AfterMedium 5

• Lines identified at the survey; work within 10 metres, measured at ground level from below the nearest wire, planned first and the line owner consulted, as HSE GS6 advises.
• Where lines stay live, ground barriers at least 6 metres either side keep plant away, with goal posts at any crossing.
• Long rails, posts and poles carried horizontally and close to the ground near lines.

BeforeMedium 10AfterMedium 5

• Operated only by someone trained on that driver, with guards and controls checked before use.
• Post set in a pilot hole or held in the driver's post holder; nobody steadies a post by hand under the rammer.
• Everyone else kept clear of the driver while it works; eye and hearing protection worn.

BeforeMedium 12AfterLow 4

• Two-person or frame-mounted augers for larger holes, with a torque reaction bar where the auger has one.
• Close-fitting clothing, no loose cuffs or cords; engine stopped before freeing a jammed bit.
• Ground checked for roots, stone and services before boring.

BeforeMedium 9AfterMedium 6

• Machine-mounted drivers or lower vibration tools chosen where practicable, and tools maintained to the manufacturer's schedule.
• Trigger time planned per tool and per person against the exposure action value of 2.5 m/s2 A(8).
• Health surveillance where the assessment shows a risk; tingling or numbness reported at once.

BeforeMedium 12AfterMedium 6

• Quieter equipment and methods chosen where practicable, and exhausts and silencers kept in good order.
• Hearing protection worn at or above 85 dB(A), the upper exposure action value, and available on request from 80 dB(A).
• Others kept back from noisy work where they can be.

BeforeMedium 12AfterMedium 6

• Operated only by people trained on the saw and in fitting discs; disc rated for the saw speed and the material.
• Guard set correctly, both hands on the saw, no cutting above shoulder height, and the work held firm on a stand or block.
• Saw stopped before being put down; others kept clear of the cutting line.

BeforeHigh 15AfterMedium 5

• Cuts reduced at the layout stage, a block splitter used where it will do, or units cut off site.
• Water suppression on every cut-off saw cut, with the water supply checked before starting.
• RPE with an assigned protection factor of 20, such as an FFP3 mask, face fit tested and worn with water suppression.

BeforeHigh 16AfterMedium 8

• Slab and kerb lifters, vacuum lifters or plant used for heavy units rather than lifting by hand.
• Deliveries placed close to where they are laid, so carrying distances stay short.
• Heavy posts and panels handled by two people; knee pads for laying work.

BeforeMedium 12AfterMedium 6

• Slopes assessed before mowing and kept within the manufacturer's limits; steeper banks cut by pedestrian or remote mower.
• Roll-over protection kept up and the seat belt worn where the mower has them.
• Edges of drops and water marked or cut by hand from a safe distance.

BeforeHigh 15AfterMedium 5

• Blades stopped, engine off and key removed before clearing a blockage or reaching under the deck.
• Guards and collection boxes kept in place; no mowing with a damaged guard.

BeforeMedium 12AfterLow 4

• Area walked first and stones, glass and wire removed.
• Visor or eye protection worn, guards fitted, and cutting stopped when anyone comes close.
• Work near roads, windows and parked cars planned so debris is thrown away from them.

BeforeMedium 9AfterMedium 6

• COSHH assessment and the label read before use; only professional products the operator is certificated for, or used under direct supervision while training.
• Label PPE worn; mixing and filling away from drains and water, with a spill kit.
• Use kept as low as reasonably practicable in public areas, school grounds and parks; no spraying in wind that causes drift.

BeforeMedium 12AfterLow 4

• Waterproof gloves suitable for alkalis, and cement washed off the skin straight away.
• Eye protection when mixing or pouring dry mix; eyewash in the van.

BeforeMedium 9AfterLow 3

• Fuel kept in approved, labelled containers, away from ignition sources and secured in the van.
• Refuelling with the engine stopped and cool, on open ground, with spills wiped up before starting.

BeforeMedium 8AfterLow 4

• Work area barriered and signed, with pedestrian routes kept open or diverted.
• Banksman for reversing and for plant near people; dumpers with roll-over protection and seat belts worn.
• Work on or beside a road set out under a traffic management plan agreed with the highway authority.

BeforeHigh 15AfterMedium 5

• Post holes filled the same day or covered and marked; nothing left open at the end of the shift.
• Tools, offcuts and materials kept off walkways; steep or wet ground walked before plant goes on it.

BeforeMedium 9AfterLow 3

• Area walked first; needles picked up only with a litter picker into a sharps box, never by hand.
• Gloves worn, cuts covered, and hands washed before eating, drinking or smoking, especially near water or rats.
• Long sleeves and trousers in long grass and scrub, with a check for ticks after work.

BeforeMedium 9AfterLow 3