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Posted By Graham Findlay
Has anyone ever dealt with the problem of cutting grass on steep slopes of approximately 60 degrees?
If you have any suggestions (clean and sensible ones preferably) I would appreciate your help. Our risk assessment has identified it as an extremely high risk activity, and we are refusing to carry out the work for one of our clients at this time, unless we can identify safer and more suitable methods.
Regards
Graham Findlay
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Posted By Martin C
I have seen grass on slopes being cut by mowers suspended on ropes. Operator at the top of the slope moves the mower along as needed. How big an area are you talking about, what is at the base of the slope?
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Posted By Graham Findlay
Martin
The slope is approximately 15 metres at its widest point, and there is a sea front promenade at the bottom of it.
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Posted By Alan Hoskins
Graham,
Would definitely not use the flymo-on-a-rope approach!
Can you not use a tractor with grass cutting attachment as used by LAs to cut highway verges? By far the safest option.
Alan
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Posted By Ron Hunter
I have also heard of grass cutting machinery being suspended on ropes.I have also heard of the machine that got away, and ended up on the live carriageway of an "A" class road.
I am unconvinced by that approach, which invariably requires that control of motor/ throttle is lost and in some instances the dead man's handle defeated.
There are of course other options open to the client, e.g. applying growth retardent, changing the area to a natural meadow (great for wildlife), etc.
In other respects, and from the contractor's point of view, the suspended access requirements (for both people and machines) will require specialist input, and the provision of a number of substantial anchor points ( a client consideration?) at the top of the slope.
It would be interesting to know how this area was cut in years gone by?
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Posted By Andrew Meiklejohn
As a child I had to cut the grass out the back of the house. It was about 60 degress and about 15 metres wide 3m high.
Used one of the power mowers with a drive belt attached to the rear roller. Did it no problem. However, If the grass was damp i used to wear my running spikes for extra grip.
But seeing as I'm not available how about shoes with cleats and a strimmer?
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Posted By Graham Watson
Hi Graham
I've heard of this problem before. The solution that seemed to get the best response was to turn the field over to a wild flower meadow and let it be.
Removes the problem altogether, which I'm assured is the best solution to all H&S problems.
I obviously don’t know your situation but it may be worth considering.
Good Luck
Graham
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Posted By Rachael Palmer
How about temporary fencing around the area and introducing some wildlife e.g. sheep, they're very effective mowers and wouldn't need to be on site for that long before the effect can be seen.
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Posted By steve e ashton
This has been discussed before: see
http://www.iosh.co.uk/in...iew&forum=1&thread=13908
The mowbot (there are other unmanned cutting devices out there - I'm not sellling or recommending one type only) would still be my own preferred solution to this problem.
Steve
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Posted By Bob Shillabeer
Are you working for a local authority? There are many cases where such difficult moving conditions arise. Have you thought about asking your local authority how they manage the issue of cutting grass on slopes. Remember they are often the enforcing authority as well so thier view would be useful. As to the sheep idea, not bad but they can be hard to control.
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Posted By Ron Hunter
It is my understanding that robot grass cutters (e.g. the spider) are limited to 40 degree slopes.
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Posted By Martin C
As there is a promenade at the base of the slope I would agree with Alan H. A boom mounted mower on a tractor unit may be the best bet. Alternatively what about a MEWP with a driver and a strimmer operator on board.
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