Garden / Grounds

A non-exhaustive list of some of the common hazards and risks in gardens and grounds of nursing homes.

Healthcare Garden

Biological Agents

Risk of:

  • Infection

Possible causes:

  • Tetanus from soil.
  • Leptospirosis (Weils' disease) from contaminated water.
  • Legionnaires' disease from contaminated water aerosols in fountains.
  • Accidental exposure to needles when picking litter.

Chemical Agents

Risk of:

  • Adverse health effects.

Possible causes:

  • Exposure to pesticides such as weed killers, pest control products or other hazardous chemicals.

Environmental Conditions

Risk of:

  • Colds.
  • Heat stress.
  • Sun burn.

Possible causes:

  • Working in inclement weather e.g. freezing conditions, rain etc.
  • Working in sunny weather without sun protection.

Ergonomic Hazards

Risk of:

  • Pain in neck, back or arms.
  • Musculoskeletal disorders such as carpel tunnel syndrome.

Possible causes:

  • Over reaching or bending at the waist e.g. whilst digging.
  • Repetitive motions often in combination with force e.g. use of tools such as secateurs, loppers or pruning equipment.

Electricity

Risk of:

  • Burns.
  • Electric shock.
  • Death.
  • Fire.

Possible causes:

  • Use of electrical equipment in wet environment.
  • Equipment not suitable for outdoor use.
  • Failure to use or test Residual Current Device (RCD).
  • Faulty electrics or insulation.
  • Taped cables.

Equipment

Risk of:

  • Cuts.
  • Eye damage.
  • Amputation.
  • Inhalation of fumes.
  • Fire.

Possible causes:

  • Being hit by flying debris when mowing the lawn.
  • Contact with mower blades.
  • Exposure to petrol fumes when refuelling the lawn mower.
  • Exposure of petrol to ignition source.
  • Over riding interlocks on equipment e.g. waste compactors.
  • Lack of equipment maintenance.

Fire

Risk of:

  • Burns.
  • Smoke inhalation.
  • Death.

Possible causes:

  • External fire escape doors and fire escape routes blocked.

Manual Handling

Risk of:

  • Musculoskeletal disorders.

Possible causes:

  • Lifting too heavy items.
  • Over reaching or stretching.
  • Lack of or failure to use mechanical aids e.g. wheel barrows, hand trucks etc.
  • Failure to maintain manual handling aids.

Noise

Risk of:

  • Hearing damage or loss.
  • Annoyance.
  • Distraction.
  • Stress.

Possible causes:

  • Noisy equipment such as hedge trimmers and mowers.

Slips, Trips and Falls

Risk of:

  • Minor injuries such as cuts to major injuries such as broken bones, concussion and even death.

Possible causes:

  • Uneven surfaces and pavements.
  • Unmarked edges on steps and ramps.
  • Inadequate lighting of surfaces and access routes.
  • Slippery surfaces e.g. surfaces covered with water, ice, snow, leaves or moss.
  • Obstructions on pavements.
  • Unsuitable footwear.

Workplace Transport

Risk of:

  • Being hit by a vehicle.

Possible causes:

  • No traffic management system in place.
  • No segregation of people and vehicles.
  • Lack of directional signage or clear parking areas for visitors.

Working at Height

Risk of:

  • Fall resulting in physical injury.

Possible causes:

  • Lack of or inappropriate access equipment.

Note: This is not an exhaustive list of hazards and risks.