Safe, healthy, environmentally sensitive and sustainable development Flashcards
Describe TWO hazards associated with site access and how they can be minimised
Site access hazards:
?????
Access should ideally be:
- wide enough for prams and wheelchairs
- on level ground and not approached by steps or slope
Describe TWO hazards associated with slopes (grass, ramps, steps) on a garden site and how they can be minimised
Slope hazards:
- become slippery when wet or icy
- grass slopes become muddy and slippery
- steps are a trip hazard
Mitigation:
- using non-slip materials
- sheltering slopes with trees or shrubs to prevent ice forming
Describe TWO hazards associated with location of features on a garden site and how they can be minimised
Hazards:
- may have loose parts or become unstable
- may be climbed by children
Mitigation:
- check stability regularly
- should be easy to access for checks
Describe TWO hazards associated with water on a garden site and how they can be minimised
Hazards:
- risks of children falling in and drowning
- risk of slipping on surfaces next to pond e.g. fountain wetting ground by pond
Mitigation:
- edge of pond should be made in accessible and fenced off with locked gate (for children)
- use non-slip surface
Describe TWO hazards associated with electricity on a garden site and how they can be minimised
Hazards:
????
Mitigation:
- electrical service should be installed by qualified electrician
- electric sockets should be waterproof and not accessible by children
Describe TWO hazards associated with materials on a garden site and how they can be minimised
Hazards:
- wooden walkways can become slippery when wet or if algae allowed to grow
- splinters and sharp edges
- Steps: tripping and slipping
- injury from lifting heavy sandstone slabs
Mitigation:
- cover walkway with fine metal mesh to improve grip/ using non-slip varnishing materials
- specifying planed/sanded timber
- Add handrail and non slip surface to tread of step e.g. wire mesh or grips.
Describe TWO hazards associated with plants on a garden site and how they can be minimised
Hazards:
- some plants cause skin irritation
- some plants have poisonous berries or sap
Mitigations:
- locate plants away from paths towards back of borders if using
Describe how environment sustainability of hard landscaping materials may affect choices made during planning and design stage
- choice of materials from sustainable sources e.g. renewable materials such as FSC wood, rapidly regenerating materials such as bamboo, hazel, willow
- using local sources to reduce transport and support local communities. Using stone from local quarries will also contribute to cohesiveness of design
- design with water in mind, e.g. consider drainage to avoid surface run off and soil erosion by choosing porous materials. Create a rain garden
- use more durable materials e.g. galvanised steel which won’t oxidise, concrete fence posts rather than treated timber
- use low-energy input materials i.e. not concrete, dry stone rather than mortared wall, puddled clay rather than butyl liner for a pond
- reduce, reuse, reclaim, recycle e.g. use reclaimed bricks
State how sustainable practices in the maintenance of a garden can be integrated during planning and maintenance
- harvesting rain and grey water to use for irrigation
- composting areas
- use of drought-tolerant plants
- minimal use of lawns, if present leave to grow longer to create habitat for insects
- mulching - reduce need to watering and prevent weed growth (avoid use of herbicides)
- no dig systems reduce soil disturbance and damage to soil structure
- bio-diverse planting
- ponds and insect hotels are beneficial wildlife habitats
- use manual tools rather than petrol or electric
Describe how environment sustainability of soft landscaping materials may affect choices made during planning and design stage
- select right plant for right place e.g. for dry or wet conditions
- select plants which benefit wildlife
- select plants which don’t require heat to grow on i.e. hardy annuals rather than half-hardy annuals
- reduce size of lawn, design a meadow instead
- select pest and disease resistant cultivars
- create a wildlife pond, they are key element for biodiverse garden, habitat for amphibians, encourage natural pest predators so pesticides not required
State how sustainable practices can be undertaken during the construction stage of a garden
- reduce, reuse, reclaim, recycle
- conserve and reuse materials already on site e.g. reuse topsoil that needs to be moved, reuse bricks, pavers, stones, rubble can be used for foundation of another structure
- dispose of materials safely e.g. do not bury excess cement
- on site working: don’t leave taps running, check no leaking hosepipes
- try not to compact soil with machinery
- if moving trees is there a way the timber could be used on site e.g. mulch, log piles
State what is meant by environmental sustainability
To use resources in a way such as to not deplete the earth’s natural resources and damage or destroy natural habitats now or in the future
