I am not an avid gardener and have recently been advised of the following imitative here at work. I am hopeful that a lot of IOSH members will have greater understanding of the issues - I am tainted that too much digging often means a bad back!


" The group is staff working in their own time, i.e. lunchtimes, after work and at weekends but working on behalf of the Council. We are in the planning stage of the garden at the moment and need to raise funds and decide on a design and the resources needed. We will make sure health and safety is considered ahead of any practical tasks. I intend to use the HSE guidance attached to try and keep the red tape to a minimum. Jacqueline has confirmed that staff would be covered by Council insurance as they are carrying out work on behalf of the Council.

Once we are nearer to any practical activities (building raised beds) I will get in touch with you so you can check that I have ticked all the health and safety boxes.

This is a voluntary group to improve the building outside space to save the Council money so any help we can have to facilitate the project being a success is appreciated."

My response (because I am uncomfortable with qualitative classificationms of risk

I actually do not believe that gardening is low risk, with extensive bending /stopping and forces digging creating musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) although academic research indicates the benefits are cardiovascular etc. I would expect that the RA would pick up the MSD issues What is vital is do Our Employer believe the risk is acceptable and taken that it seems ‘they’ do, the aim of the risk assessment process is to confirm and agree;
• Visual check of tools to make sure they are suitable
• Training , including posture to reduce the chances of a bad back
• Assessing Competence such as those staff in creating raised beds
• Supervision
• Access to the building for first aid equipment and welfare facilities such as toilets out of hours (i.e. not lunchtime)
• Who will provide any personal protective equipment, waterproof coats, shoes and gloves identified in the risk assessment (which, by law should be provide foc by the employer)
• Who will be managerially in control of the volunteers
Of course any standards in our H&S Policy and Management System should be followed.

My question for HR is because this is a work related activity if someone did have a bad back and have time off work would it be recorded as an injury at work; if off work would it our HR policies come to play and if so what allowances and flexibility would be made bearing in mind they are helping out the council and hope it is in our volunteers policy."

I am hoping all the gardeners here will give me a reality check - many thanks

Yes they normally work for the Council , will be working on our site under our Employers Liability etc., but not carrying out their regular duties.