Integrated Management System RISK ASSESSMENT
RIDE-ON MOWERS IHRA 12 10/08.1Description of Activity / o Ride-on mowers are used to cut medium and large areas of grass.
o The operator controlS the mower from a sitting position.
o Most ride-on mowers have a single engine which provides power for both the movement of the machine and the operation of the cutting mechanisms.
o The three main types of mower are:
§ Rotary – Grass is cut by means of horizontally rotating blades located in the mower ‘deck’ which is mounted either on the front of the machine or mid-way between the front and rear wheels. (also mounted to the rear of tractors)
§ Cylinder – Grass is cut by means of vertically rotating bladed cylinders against a fixed ‘bottom blade’. (The cylinder and bottom blade being fixed in a ‘cutting head’) Each machine may have between 3 and 7 cutting heads usually mounted at the front and to the sides of the machine. (also trailed or fixed to the rear of tractors as ‘gangs’)
§ Flail – Grass is cut by means of vertically rotating ‘hammers’ mounted on a cylinder or spool and located within a housing at the front of the machine. (also rear mounted on tractors.)
o In each case, the grass arisings may be ‘let-fly’ (dispersed across the cut grass area) or collected by various means, although usually by way of a rear mounted box in to which the grass is blown or sucked by air vortex. Cylinder box mowers usually have collecting boxes mounted either to the front or rear of aech cutting head.
o Most larger ride-on mowers casn be made road-legal for operation on the highway.
Who is At Risk? / The mower operator
Members of the public
Animal (pets and wildlife) / Explanation of Risk Rating: / Probability
Risk Rating = Probability X Severity / Unlikely
1 / Likely
2 / Certain
3
Severity / 1 / Minor injury or damage / 1 / 2 / 3
2 / Major injury or damage / 2 / 4 / 6
3 / Servear injury or serious illness or death. Servear damage / 3 / 6 / 9
Actions resulting from Risk Rating:
Rating
1-3 / Low Risk: Carry on with activity, ensuring controls are in place. No further controls required.
4-6 / Medium Risk: Impliment further controls if practical to reduce risk to an acceptable level. Monitor risk level to ensure no increase.
9 / High Risk: Stop activity immediately. Impliment further controls to reduce risk if possible. Find alternative method.
Areas in which activity takes place / Public open spaces and amenity areas
Highway verges
Grounds and Gardens
Sports facilities
Cemeteries
Airfields
Minimum level of training or qualification required / Driving Licence
Mower operator training (by competant person)
Induction training
Evaluation
Indentification of Hazard / Hazardous Event / Existing controls to reduce Risk
(Minimum Controls always in place) / Existing Risk Rating / Additional controls to further reduce Risk to an acceptable level / Residual Risk Rating
Probability / Severity / Rating / Probability / Severity / Rating
Flying Debris / Damage to persons or property
Damage to the machine / Guards and deflectors fitted to the machiine.
Awarness of the proximity of the public / 2 / 1 / 2 / Inspection and litter picking prior to cutting / 2 / 1 / 2
Adjusting and cleaning the cutting mechanism / Trapping or loss of fingers or limbs
Contamination from dog feaces or other foul material
Cuts from sharp metal edges / Mirco switch in seat turns machine off when operator not present.
Machine must always be disabled prior to maintenance
Operator training / 1 / 3 / 3 / Wear gloves when adjusting or cleaning / 1 / 3 / 3
Operating on public highway / Damage to persons or property
Road traffic accident
Depositing arisings on highway
Traffic congestion / Operator training
Operator awarness of surroundings / 2 / 3 / 6 / High-visability clothing and operating yellow hazard beacon / 1 / 3 / 3
Use of fuels and oils / Explosion
Dermatitus (skin dIsease)
Sillage / Operator Training / 2 / 3 / 6 / Prohibit smoking whilst filling or operating machinery
Wear gloves and use funnel / 1 / 3 / 3
Loading / unloading machine from vehicle or trailer / Slipping off ramps
Damage to persons or property
Damage to machine, vehicle or trailer / Operator Training
Awarness of proximity of public, colegues and property / 2 / 3 / 6 / Use correct ramps with non-slip surfacing
Ensure adequate space for operation / 1 / 3 / 3
Transporting machine on vehicle or trailer / Damage to property, vehicle, machine or trailer through not securing the equipment correctly / Operator training
Suitable straps and fixings for the equipment to be secured / 2 / 3 / 6 / Driver to be responsible for double checking prior to moving off.
Ensure integrity of straps and fixings / 1 / 3 / 3
Use of machine on slopes / Slipping or overturning
Damage to persons or property / Operator training
Awarness of the machines capabilities
Knowledge of the area to be cut
Competancey of the operator / 2 / 3 / 6 / Prior inspection of the area to be cut to establish ground conditions.
Modification of machine (twin wheels) or use substitue. Consider strimming.
Establish escape route / 1 / 3 / 3
Noise / Hearing impairement or deafness of operator / Modern machinery complies with legeslation.
Regular maintenance to ensure machine in safe working order / 2 / 2 / 4 / Report increased noise level to workshops for potential maintance.
Use ear defenders
(Note: Ear defenders may not be practical when working on highways – may increase risk to operator) / 1 / 2 / 2
Vibration / Various symptoms involving exposure to excessive vibration for period of time / Modern machinery complies with legeslation.
Regular maintenance ensures machine is in safe working order / 2 / 2 / 4 / Report increased vibration to workshops for maintenance.
Regular work breaks
Health survailance by operatives / 1 / 2 / 2
Personal Protective Equipment Required Related Risk Assessments
Item / Symbol / Required(Ctrl+/) / Notes / § Use of road vehicles on public highway
§ Manual Handling
§ Working near or adjacent to water
Safety Boots / ü
Hi-Visability Clothing / ü / As required by class of highway
Eye Protection
Ear protection / ü / If practical / CoSHH
§ Fuels
§ Oils
Gloves / ü / For maintenance
Hard Hat
Face Mask / ü / In very dry conditions
Reference & Guidance
RISK ASSESSMENT - RIDE ON MOWERS.doc
Integrated Management System RISK ASSESSMENT
§ Health & Safety at Works Act 1974§ Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1992
§ The Provision and use of Work Equipment Regulations 1992
§ Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992
§ The Traffic Signs Manual – Chapter 8
§ New Street & Road Works Act (Guide) Red Book
§ Approved Code of Practice
§ Safe Operating Procedures (Operators Manual)
§ Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1994
§ Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1993
§ Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992
§ Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations
§ Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005
§ Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998
· Burleys Health & Safety Advisor will monitor and review the controls to reduce risk in accordance with the company’s Health & Safety Policy.
· Risk Assessments will be reviewed annually or more often if required.
· The information contained within this Risk Assessment should be taken as the minimum requirement and is not to be considered exhaustive.
RISK ASSESSMENT - RIDE ON MOWERS.doc
Integrated Management System RISK ASSESSMENT
Risk Assessment Completed By: Nick Kettle
Date: November 2009
Review Date: November 2010
RISK ASSESSMENT - RIDE ON MOWERS.doc