Horsham Green Gym

A TCV Community Group website

Extract from Risk Assessment

Extract from HDC Risk Assessment of 4.3.2021

 

Hazard : Risk:

COVID-19 contamination : The potential to contract the disease

  • You are reminded of the importance of social distancing, and must make every effort to maintain a distance of 2m between yourself and others outside of your household (public, staff and other volunteers). Where you cannot stay 2 metres apart you should stay more than 1 metre apart, and take additional steps to stay safe.

  • you must not meet with and/or work with any more than 5 other people.

  • you are asked to choose quiet areas to work in, and are recommended to stay away from areas which are likely to become overcrowded (entrances/exits, narrow paths, bridges and boardwalks)

  • you are reminded of the importance of regular thorough hand washing, using soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds, or using a suitable hand gel when washing facilities are unavailable

  • you must wear gloves at all times when completing practical work. We recommend that gloves are washed regularly (see below)

  • you must use your own hand tools where possible, but when this is not possible, you are recommended to limit the amount of people using the tools at any one time

  • you are advised to disinfect your hand tools regularly paying particular attention to handles and other points of contact

  • if you are showing/experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, you must follow the NHS’s guidance on self-isolation and testing. You are NOT allowed to complete any work for HDC under any circumstances

  • you are required to inform HDC if you test positive for COVID-19 during or up to 21 days after completing work for us

 

Hazard : Risk:

Clinically vulnerable volunteers and those aged 70 years and over : The potential to contract COVID-19

If you are in this category and decide to work

  • you are recommended not to work with anyone outside of their household

  • you must take extra care to avoid ‘close’ contact with anyone else when travelling to and from the work site, and whilst conducting the task

  • you must adhere to all existing control measures found within this risk assessment

 

Hazard : Risk:

Lack/loss of communication and lone working : Incidents resulting in injury

  • you are recommended to inform someone (i.e. spouse, friend) of the times you intend to volunteer, and confirm when you have returned home safely

  • you are recommended to carry a mobile phone with a fully charged battery when working for us

  • you must inform HDC of any incidents resulting in injury or near misses whilst working for us

 

 Hazard : Risk:

The use of hand tools : incidents resulting in injury

  • you are responsible for your own tools and those lent to you. You should maintain them to a high standard and stop using them if they become broken

  • you must report any damage to HDC tools as soon as possible to us, and stop using them immediately

  • we assume you are now competent at safely using the tools in your possession but additional guidance will be given if/when needed

 

Hazard : Risk:

Conservation activities and practical management/ maintenance tasks (various) : Incidents resulting in injury

  • you are only permitted to undertake tasks pre-agreed with HDC

  • you are not permitted to undertake tasks where social distancing is not possible

  • you will be advised of tool/task specific risk assessments relating to the task to be completed

 

Hazard : Risk:

Highways, car parks and motor/pedestrian traffic : Incidents resulting in injury

  • you are not permitted to work alongside public highways or within car parks

  • you should pay attention to the work area, and keep an eye out for pedal cyclists, walkers and runners

  • you are reminded to take extra care whilst working on or close to a public footpath or bridleway

 

Hazard : Risk:

Livestock and farm animals : Incidents resulting in injury

  • you are not permitted to work in fields or enclosures containing farm animals (e.g. horses, sheep, cattle)

 

Hazard : Risk:

Lakes, rivers and other water sources : Incidents resulting in injury and possible drowning

  • you are not permitted to enter a lake, river or other water source under any circumstances

  • you must stay a minimum of 3m away from a lake, river or other water source whilst working (unless pre-arranged with HDC)

 

If you are not comfortable with volunteering at this time then please don’t feel obliged to do so.

Your safety and wellbeing are our biggest priority

 

Washing leather work gloves

  • Putting the gloves on your hands to wash them makes it easier to work the soap into the leather and gives you more control over the washing process.
  • Hold your gloved hands under running, lukewarm water to get the entire surface of your glove wet.
  • Rub the gloves gently using a mild soap or washing-up liquid. Don’t rub too vigorously.
  • Rinse the gloves under lukewarm, running water to remove the soap.
  • Don’t wring the gloves to help dry them. Gently press them between your hands and then blot the gloves with a towel to remove excess water.
  • Once you’ve removed as much water as possible, lay out the gloves on a flat surface to let them dry at room temperature. Make sure all of the fingers are flat and in the right form so that they dry correctly. Rolled newspaper in the glove lets air get inside.
  • Your gloves will take at least a day and night to dry. Do not place them near a fire or radiator as it can ruin them
  • Putting the gloves on 3 or 4 times while they’re drying will help them form to your hands again. If the gloves still feel stiff once they’re completely dry, wear them and knead your hands and fingers to make them supple. Once you grip a saw, loppers or spade with your gloves, they soon become more supple!