Do you run a horticultural business?
In search of a health and safety risk assessment tailored to your activity?
Do you need a pre-filled assessment to save you hours of work?
Want to be in compliance with safety regulations?
 
Our Health and Safety Risk Assessment is designed to meet your needs with:
→ A professional risk assessment totally specific to horticulture.
→ Risk prevention proposals dedicated to horticulturists.
→ Integration of risks linked to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.
 
All this in an easily editable Excel format, allowing you to make personalized updates on your own.
 
FEATURES OF THE HEALTH AND SAFETY RISK ASSESSMENT 
 
This 5-page Excel file includes:
A Cover Page
A Company Information page
A presentation of the Risk Assessment Methodology used.
An occupational risks assessment tailored to your sector of activity.
A risk prevention schedule with all the different safety measures.

It contains 22 occupational risk situations classified into 3 work units:
Working on plants
Sales activity
 
☑ Complies with the employer's obligation to assess risks
(Regulation 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulation 1999)
☑ Adheres to the General Principles of Prevention
(Schedule 1 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulation 1999)
☑ Takes into account good practice and pitfalls in risk assessment
(Report RR151 from the Health and Safety Executive)
 
EXCERPTS FROM THE HEALTH AND SAFETY RISK ASSESSMENT 
 
The danger of awkward postures (squatting, kneeling, bending over): This is a necessity imposed by the profession: horticulturists work in the soil and must adopt these positions to work. The risk is present all year round, and even greater when working in cold, damp or hot environments. Possible injuries include joint pain (knees), circulatory problems, back pain and muscular pain. To reduce these risks, adapt your workstation so that you don't have to contort your body whenever possible. On a day-to-day basis, try to diversify horticulturalists' tasks as much as possible, alternating between standing and awkward postures.
 
The danger of repetitive, prolonged movements (joint constraints): In their profession, horticulturists have to perform a lot of repetitive movements over long hours. The risk is present all year round, and even greater when working in cold, damp or hot environments. Possible damage includes joint pain (hands and handles), circulatory problems, muscular pain and, more generally, Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD). To reduce these risks, try to diversify your assignments.
 
The danger of using sharp utlls: This risk is unavoidable due to the tools used by horticulturalists. (e.g. pruning shears, hedge trimmers, pruning shears, staplers, etc.) This risk is mainly present during use, but also during cleaning and maintenance of these tools. Possible risks include cuts, crushing, amputations and even infections. To reduce these risks, it is recommended to provide personnel with PPE (gloves) when using this equipment. Remain alert when using and cleaning equipment. Use machines that comply with safety standards, and do not modify them (e.g. by removing safety devices).
 
The danger of physical contact or inhalation of hazardous chemical substances: Horticulturalists are exposed to the phytosanitary products they package and use (fungicides, insecticides, herbicides, etc.). They are also likely to come into contact with oil, gasoline, diesel and fuel oil from the use of motorized machinery. The risks are mainly present during the packaging and use of chemical products, but also during the preparation and use of motorized machinery. Possible damage includes allergic reactions, burns, irritation, attacks on the reproductive system, mutations and cancer. To reduce these occupational risks, always follow the instructions for product use, and in particular wear the PPE prescribed by the manufacturer.
 
Danger from exposure to biological agents: Horticulturists are exposed to bacteria and viruses in a number of ways: wounds soiled by contaminated soil (tetanus), animal bites (snake venom), insect stings (wasps, hornets). There may also be allergies to pollen or insects (caterpillars, wasps, hornets). The risk is greatest when working outdoors, particularly during the peak spring and summer seasons. The associated risks are contamination by viruses or bacteria, with all the associated symptoms (e.g. tetanus: chills, sweating, convulsion, difficulty swallowing, headache, sore throat, stiffness), asthma, difficulty breathing.
 
 
A GUARANTEE OF THE QUALITY OF OUR HEALTH AND SAFETY RISK ASSESSMENT 
_ We're registered as Professional Risk Prevention Consultants.
_ Our team comprises graduate safety engineers.
_ Our documents are routinely checked by safety inspectors.
_ We frequently update our Occupational Risk Assessments.
 
RESOURCES 
_ "Workplace Hazards in Horticulture" by Chichester College.