HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY...
Duty of Care
Allotment tenants have a duty of care to anyone on their plot, whether invited or otherwise.
This leaflet has been produced to advise allotment holders on some ways to help keep themselves and their visitors safe while reaping the benefits of allotment gardening.
Personal Safety
It can be worthwhile taking a moment to consider your personal safety.
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Does someone know where you are?
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Do you have a mobile phone with you?
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Are you the only person on site?
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Is there a first aid kit handy, just in case?
Security
Please be aware if the main gate is not locked anybody can enter the site. After unlocking the gate, loop the chain around the gate and reset the combination. If you are on your own please consider locking yourself in. If you are the last car to leave always lock the gate behind you.
There is no public right of way through the allotments, but if the gates are open people do walk through as a shortcut to the Public Footpath at the back of the allotments.
Entering and Leaving the Allotments.
The entrance to the allotments is on a very busy road, if you have to unlock the gate please pull your vehicle completely into the drive in front of the gate so you do not cause a hazard on Church Road.
When you are leaving and locking up again please do not cause a hazard on the main road.
Car Park
The car park is used to store manure and chippings. When entering the car park please drive cautiously and be aware of pedestrians, especially children running around playing. Members with wheelbarrows may be accessing the manure heaps.
Dogs and Children
Please keep dogs under control and tied up when on the allotment and please clear up after your dog.
Same goes for Children :o)
Insurance
Allotment tenants are advised to taking out public liability insurance to cover themselves in respect of any claims made against them for injury, loss or damage caused to any person as a result of negligence. Tenants are advised to make sure that all activities they will be undertaking on the site are covered by any policy they take out.
MEMBERSHIP of the Jubilee Allotment Holders’ Association does not include public liability insurance in respect of their allotment, however the Committee has taken out Public Liability Insurance if any of the machinery injures somebody.
Physical Exercise
Gardening can be hard work, especially digging!
Take care of your back and do not try to dig the whole plot in one go. You might like to warm up first. Be sure to take some breaks. Be aware of your own strengths and weaknesses and take extra care with lifting heavy or awkward items.
Tools
Garden tools can be a hazard if they are left lying around or are not stored appropriately. The oft quoted example is of someone treading on a rake obscured by long grass. Do think about how you might prevent accidents on site, Do Not leave tools or any other obstructions on the pathways.
Machinery
The Shack on site houses several motor mowers, a strimmer, tiller, wheelbarrow and fuel cans.
Do NOT smoke in the Shack. Do NOT open the petrol can inside the shack
All machinery is maintained by an allotted Member . If something isn't working please let a member of the committee know and don't try fixing it yourself.
New tenants should only use the machinery after receiving instruction from an allotted Member. Instructions on how to use each piece of machinery are posted inside the shed and tenants should always follow these.
Tenants should use any safety devices recommended, e.g., safety goggles, ear-defenders and so on.
Be aware that it can take a bit of practise getting use to using a tiller or strimmer and there is a risk to others from flying debris.
Take extra care when other people are around and especially when using your own machinery on site.
Clothing
It is advised to wear gloves and boots when you are working on your allotment. Gardening in open toed sandals and shorts might not be the most sensible approach (think garden fork and bare feet..) You might like to consider sensible shoes, especially those with toe protection. Covering up may help protect your skin from the sun, biting insects, scratches and from other hazards.
Plants
There are several plants to watch out for in the garden and allotment. These include some of the more well known (e.g., nettles, brambles, cow parsley) but there are other too. The sap of parsnip left to seed can cause blisters if you get it on your skin.
The advice is that any fruit or vegetable that gives you any sort of reaction after handling it, or eating it, then do not sow or plant it in future years!
There may be wild flowers planted/self seeded in the bank which have poisonous seeds and berries, like foxglove, pyrocanthea and cotoneaster. Please make sure children playing on the banks are aware of this.
Tetanus
This is caused by bacteria which live in the soil and enter the body through a cut or wound. The illness can be very serious and can be prevented by vaccination. Further information can be got from NHS Direct or from your local surgery.
The best advice is to wear gloves or disposable household gloves when working on the allotment.
Tenants should always wash their hands thoroughly after spending time in the garden or on the allotment before eating or preparing food.
Pesticides and Herbicides
Children and animals can be very good at getting into things they are not supposed to. Keep all chemicals in their original containers, clearly marked and out of reach of small people. Follow instructions carefully. If using pesticides or herbicides be aware that your neighbours may be organic and overspray will be unacceptable.
Do not leave any containers of dangerous chemicals lying around on your plot.
Sharp Objects
The land has been unused for many years so when you are digging please be aware of any pieces of broken glass and pieces of metal that you may dig up. Please dispose of these objects safely as they may be hazardous to visitors, other tenants (and yourself) if left on your plot or within the site.. Please note that the use of barbed wire is not permitted. Materials you put on the plot, such as crop netting, plastic sheeting must be removed once it is passed its useful life.
Bonfires.
Bonfires are NOT permitted.
Buildings
It goes without saying that badly built or damaged structures can be dangerous. You can reduce the risk of injury by ensuring that your shed, cloche or compost bin is sound and anchored to the ground
You must get permission from the Parish Council before erecting a new shed or other significant structure.
Paths
Allotment holders are responsible for maintaining the paths around their plots. Keep paths clear and check for trip hazards to help keep things safe.
Contacts
In the event of an emergency call..................................................999
Police non emergency call.............................................................101
NHS medical help fast but it's not an emergency call.......................111
Secretary of Jubilee Alllotment Holders’ Association.......................................Contact via website
Frampton Cotterell Parish Council ................................................................01454 868370/864442
South Gloucestershire Council Pest Control....................................................01454 868001
South Gloucestershire Council Allotments......................................................01454 868000