Risk Assessment for Gardening in

Schools
Potential Hazard Risk Risk Level Controls Already in Place Further Action Required or
with risk Group Taken
Low,
Medium or
High
School traffic Injury Adults and High Groups to keep to designated paths and to be
from vehicles. children road safe when moving between class and
garden.

Uneven/wet Adults and Low Children adequately supervised and instructed Surfaces adequately maintained and
surfaces children to walk in the garden. repaired when necessary.

Slipping, tripping Other specific surfaces deemed

and falling. dangerously slippery when wet, such as
decking, should be covered with a non-
slip surface. E.g Chicken wire.

Erect notices warning of hazard.

Large structures Children High Adequate supervision and instructed not to

climb objects in the garden.
Falling whilst
climbing.

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Potential Hazard Risk Risk Level Controls Already in Place Further Action Required or
with risk Group Taken
Low,
Medium or
High
Chemicals used in Adults and High Adopt environmentally sensitive approach to If chemicals are used,
the garden. children. garden i.e. garden without the use of
Inhalation of or chemicals. they must be used by qualified
contact with operator
chemicals.
warning signs should be displayed

The relevant Personal Protective

Equipment (PPE) to be used

Spray only when weather appropriate

Stored in accordance with health and

safety legislation.

Spray outside of school hours,

preferably during the holidays.

See COSHH assessment and data

sheet for each specific chemical.

Check with grounds maintenance team

3
Potential Hazard Risk Risk Level Controls Already in Place Further Action Required or
with risk Group Taken
Low,
Medium or
High
they may be able to assist here.

Plants Poisoning Adults and Low All adults assisting in the garden to be made Gloves should be made available.
from ingestion and children. aware of any children known to have specific
allergic reactions plant and food allergies, including hay fever
and to know which member of staff is
responsible for administering that medication.

Children must not eat parts of plants unless

instructed to do so, and must wash hands after
garden sessions.

Plant supports Adults and Low Children to be made aware of hazard and to
Damage to the eye children. take care when leaning over beds or
containers.

Cane toppers to be used where practical.

Bees, wasps and Adults and Low These are natural inhabitants of the garden and
insects Stings children. pose no risk unless provoked. Teaching staff
must be aware of any children allergic to

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Potential Hazard Risk Risk Level Controls Already in Place Further Action Required or
with risk Group Taken
Low,
Medium or
High
specific insects.

If stung, children should seek first aid from

teacher.

Soil, animal faeces Adults and High – Everyone must wash their hands thoroughly Gloves to be made available.
and water (eg children. tetanus, weils after working in the garden and before handling
puddles and water disease and food and drink. Prevent animals from entering the
butts). roundworm. garden where possible.
Cover any cuts or abrasions before garden
Tetanus, Low - other sessions.
Leptospirosis (Weils infections
disease) and Ensure adults and children have up-to-date
Toxocariasis tetanus before garden sessions.
(roundworm) and
other infections. Remove all traces of animal faeces before the
children enter the garden.

Glass and other Adults and Low Remove all litter from the garden prior to using Gloves to be worn when clearing a

5
Potential Hazard Risk Risk Level Controls Already in Place Further Action Required or
with risk Group Taken
Low,
Medium or
High
litter children. with children. disused area of the garden.

Cuts and infections As above to prevent risk of tetanus from rusty

(tetanus) objects.

Watering Slipping, Children Low Children shown how to correctly water plants to
tripping and falling avoid soaking pathways.

No running.

Water butts Children High Children instructed not to climb on water butt.

Drowning from Water butt to have close fitting lid.

falling in.

Weather Sunburn, Children Medium Appropriate clothing to be worn for the weather
dehydration, and adults conditions.
hypothermia
Adequate fluids drunk when it is hot.

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Potential Hazard Risk Risk Level Controls Already in Place Further Action Required or
with risk Group Taken
Low,
Medium or
High
Sun cream applied when necessary.

Heavy objects Children Low Children not to lift heavy objects or bags of Manual handling training for adults.
and adults compost, nor to overfill wheelbarrows where in
Injury caused from use.
lifting
Use smaller sized watering cans for children
that aren’t as heavy when full.

Adults and children to use safe lifting

techniques when lifting.

See RHS website for more details.