5. Health, safety & sustainability

Question 1

What is a Risk assessment

Answer 1

• Identify hazards
• Identify who might be harmed and how
• Evaluate risks
• Evaluate and implement precautions
• Regularly record results & review/update

Question 2

Common Hazards in a garden environment

Answer 2

• Slips, trips, falls
• Drowning (Children)
• Skin irritation, allergic reactions - poisonous plants
• Electrocution

Question 3

How to avoid hazards in Paving

Answer 3

• Use grooved/ slip resistant decking
• Ensure surfaces are level
• Ensure steps are even/ functional
• Add handrail where needed on stairs/ramps

Question 4

How to avoid hazards in a Fountain

Answer 4

• Use small, wall or pebble foundation where small children are
• Have sloped edges or steps in deeper pools

Question 5

How to avoid hazards with Electrical cables

Answer 5

• All electrical work by qualified electrician
• All buried cables must be armored and position noted
• Use solar powered lights which need no cables
• Plan cable routes under lawns which are less likely to be dug up

Question 6

How to avoid hazards with Plant toxicity

Answer 6

• Identify harmful plants and exclude or plant appropriately
• E.g Euphorbia spp - toxic sap, plant away from paths or access routes

Question 7

How to avoid hazards with Access

Answer 7

• Allow enough space for movement with ladder

Question 8

Key considerations of Sustainability when planning a Garden design

Answer 8

• Minimal resource input
• Must be cost effective, functional, visually pleasing, maintainable
• Preservation of costly resources - re-use
• Limit air, soil, water pollution
• Should not degrade natural environment
• Consider wildlife when planting
• Garden should be attractive but ‘in balance’ with nature and the environment

Question 9

Considerations of sustainability with Paving

Answer 9

• Source locally - materials from abroad could have high carbon footprint
• Look for products with long life span
• Too much can cause flooding - 50% increase of water run off
• Avoid large amounts on concrete - very high energy process and gives of air pollution

Question 10

Considerations of sustainability with Wood

Answer 10

• Always use FSC

- Avoid toxic paints, stains where possible

Question 11

Considerations of sustainability with Stone

Answer 11

• Use local

- Reuse/ recycled materials

Question 12

Considerations of sustainability with Pathways

Answer 12

• Use natural/ recycled materials, chipped bark, glass, crushed brick, shells
• Reclaimed bricks mixed with natural materials

Question 13

Considerations of sustainability with Fences

Answer 13

• Use recycled/ reclaimed panels
• Always FSC wood
• Use recycle plastic/composite (made from household waste)

Question 14

Considerations of sustainability with Plants

Answer 14

• Plant for the conditions
• Permanent planting (not temp) are best
• Use native plants where possible
• Plan space for a water butt - harvest rain water
• Use plants which need minimal irrigation or use seep hosing
• Use biological/ cultural methods (Cultivate, use ground cover plants for weed suppression, mulch, encourage ladybirds/ lacewing grubs/ hoverfly)
• Add compost bin or wormery
• Avoid use of toxic pesticides (use crop rotation, no-dig method)

Question 15

List sustainable practices integrated at the planning stage to reduce the use of mains water

Answer 15

• Drought tollerant planting
• Rainwater harvesting
• Compost bins to create organic material
• Rainwater garden - plants naturally receive channeled rain water
• Irrigation systems