Secret Garden Risk Assessment

Risk Assessment

Secret Garden - Page Hall Medical Centre

Activity: Weekly 2-hour supervised gardening session Location: Secret Garden Page Hall Medical Centre Date of assessment: 10/9/26 Review date: Annually or after any incident

Hazards and Risks

Hazard Who might be harmed? Risk (Low/Med/High) Control Measures

Use of hand tools

(spade, trowel,

secateurs) Volunteers, participants Medium Induction given on safe use; gloves available; secateurs used only by adults; damaged tools taken out of use.

Cuts, splinters,

stings, thorns

(plants, soil, insects) Volunteers, participants Medium Gloves provided; advice given on safe handling of plants; wash hands after session.

Manual handling

(lifting soil, pots,

watering cans) Volunteers, participants Medium Encourage safe lifting techniques; avoid overfilling containers; ask for help if unsure.

Slips, trips, and falls

(uneven ground, wet

surfaces, tools left

out) All participants Medium Keep pathways clear; store tools safely; advise sturdy footwear.

Allergies (plants,

pollen, insect bites) Participants with allergies Medium Encourage participants to inform coordinator of allergies; first aid kit available.

Weather (heat, cold, rain) All participants Low–Medium Encourage sun protection and hydration in hot weather; suitable clothing for wet/cold. Sessions may be cancelled in severe weather.

Children present Children, other participants Medium Children must be supervised by a responsible adult; no unsupervised tool use.

Bites or stings from

animals (rats, bees) All participants Low Encourage participants to avoid contact with animals, responsibly dispose of food waste, and alert coordinator of any bites

Residual Risk

After control measures, risks are considered Low to Medium and acceptable for the supervised activity.

Emergency Procedures

● First aid kit available on site.

● In serious emergencies, call 999 immediately.

● Inform GP practice staff if incident occurs on premises.

● All accidents/near misses logged and reviewed.

Review Statement

This risk assessment will be reviewed annually, or immediately following any significant change in activities, equipment, or incidents.

10/9/26