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Admin		#1 Posted : 23 August 2006 11:16:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest		Posted By njc Hi Has anybody got a safe working procedure for the safe removal of compost heaps! We are a Housing Association and our repair team are having to remove compost heaps from empty properties back gardens!! Thank you in advance NJ
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Admin		#2 Posted : 23 August 2006 11:41:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest		Posted By Bob Thompson CMIOSH Gloves, boots, Fork, Barrow, Manual handling assessments, COSHH Assessment and common sense Regards Bob Ps pick the marrows first
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Admin		#3 Posted : 23 August 2006 12:04:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest		Posted By Jim Walker From my own experiences: Wasps make nests in compost heaps, Lots of angry wasps sting. Cornered rats bite
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Admin		#4 Posted : 23 August 2006 12:09:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest		Posted By Jeffrey Watt Thanks to St Pat you lot in GB got all our snakes. Do adders hibernate in compost heaps? Or any other form of accounting professional for that matter? Kind regards Jeff
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Admin		#5 Posted : 23 August 2006 12:40:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest		Posted By Arran Linton - Smith Jeffrey Not sure, but I understand that slow worms can hibernate in compost heaps. See: http://www.bbc.co.uk/wal...fe/pages/slow_worm.shtml
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Admin		#6 Posted : 23 August 2006 12:45:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest		Posted By Lynne Ratcliffe Don't forget newts also take shelter in them after they hatch, along with frogs, toads, grass-snakes, lizards and adders. it largely depends upon the area and habitat surrounding the compost heaps as to what you will find creature wise in them. Stout boots with cover to prevent gaps into trousers, good long gloves and a long handled spade/shovel or manual earth moving implement - first parade inspection check for splinters! (It is my birthday so i will be a bit frivolous and suggest the David Bellamy wig also needs to be worn!)
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Admin		#7 Posted : 23 August 2006 13:39:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest		Posted By peter gotch On a slightly different subject check this out [including all the reader comments] http://news.scotsman.com...otland.cfm?id=1216282006 P
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Admin		#8 Posted : 23 August 2006 13:42:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest		Posted By Robert K Lewis Do not forget that it is an offence to interfere with a slow worm, even touching it to move it to safety is actually an offence as well. As an orchid grower it reminds me of the havoc caused by CITES. It is an absolute offence to have in your possession at any time any part of certain orchids, living or dead. It is therefore an offence to move, pick up or dig up such orchids even when the habitat is to be destroyed. You can destroy them but not have them in your possession. Compost heaps may hold such goodies - it depends on where it is. Bob
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Admin		#9 Posted : 23 August 2006 14:03:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest		Posted By Jeffrey Watt Don't forget velocoraptaurs. Jeff
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Admin		#10 Posted : 23 August 2006 14:04:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest		Posted By Kevin Drew More potentially hazardous beasts that have been overlooked in the postings so far are rats. They frequently take up residence in my compost heaps. Apart from the risk of being bitten there is the additional risk of leptospirosis. Regards Kevin Drew
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Admin		#11 Posted : 23 August 2006 14:06:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest		Posted By John Doe Mate of mine found a brown bear and a couple of crocodiles in one once. Just goes to show.
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Admin		#12 Posted : 23 August 2006 14:33:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest		Posted By Alexander Falconer You could make a killing selling the worms (brandlings) on to fishermen? Tackleshops sell them at £1.75 for 25 Just imagine the thousands of worms you will find?? Nice handy source of income But dont forget to do the risk assessment first
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Admin		#13 Posted : 23 August 2006 15:10:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest		Posted By garyh Get the compost heaps moved before Autumn when many creatures could be hibernating in them. Someone suggested a COSHH assessment. Words fail me. It's compost not Chemical waste!
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Admin		#14 Posted : 23 August 2006 15:32:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest		Posted By njc Thankyou for all your points of view Naomi
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Admin		#15 Posted : 23 August 2006 16:58:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest		Posted By Richard Mathews Are there any allotments nearby that you can aproach the owners of, you may get them removed for nowt.
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Admin		#16 Posted : 23 August 2006 23:19:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest		Posted By andymak Why not clear an area around the heap, then remove the compost container and rake out the compost in the cleared area? It will reduce the hazard, and do the garden good for the next tennants!
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Admin		#17 Posted : 25 August 2006 14:37:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest		Posted By Bob Thompson CMIOSH sorry you are lost for words Garyh but it is a work activity and as stated by others the possible presence of animals may indicate zoonosis, ans also some of the contents of the heap may generate antegens so of course COSHH is relevent, if only to discount these, Regards Bob
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