Hard landscaping such as uneven surfaces like stepping stones or sleepers can create trip hazards. Slippery surfaces from algae growth are also a risk. Pools and bodies of water pose drowning risks, especially for children, while obscured edges or locations near pathways are hazardous for adults too. Electricity in gardens requires qualified work to avoid exposure to buried or overhead cables. Plants can cause injury from toxins, spines, or dust if not properly handled during gardening. All garden features need safe access for maintenance like pruning trees, trimming hedges, or working at heights.

1. RHS Level 2 Certificate
WEEK 25 PART 1
HEALTH AND SAFETY – COMMON HAZARDS IN THE GARDEN

2. Hard landscaping
Level surfaces can become slippery if algae grows on them.
Some materials such as wooden decking are particularly
vulnerable to this.
Uneven surfaces made up of two or more materials (such
as stepping stones in lawns, or sleepers bedded in gravel)
can create ‘toe catchers’.
Steps can be a tripping hazard, particularly in the dark, or if
they are uneven in height, too narrow or too steep.

3. Water
Pools and watercourses create a hazard, particularly for
children. However the reflection, movement and sound
added to a design by water can greatly enhance a garden.
Whilst children are particularly at risk, adults can also be
harmed. Deep water that requires regular maintenance,
obscured edges to pools, and water by pathways all present
at hazard to adult users.

4. Electricity in the garden
Lights, fountain pumps, supplies to the shed and greenhouse
all require electrical work in the garden.
The location of existing cable runs and any overhead supplies
must be established and carefully noted. Construction can
expose buried cables, and machinery moving on site could
come into contact with overhead cables.
All work should be done by a qualified electrician. Cables if
buried must be armoured and their positions noted and
marked in accordance with electrical wiring regulations.

5. Plants
A common hazard in gardens is injury or poisoning by plants.
Some are actively toxic if ingested or if the sap comes into
contact with the skin.
For example, Euphorbia species can cause blistering to the skin.
Aconitum napellus (Monkshood) has attractive blue spires of
flowers but all parts of the plant are extremely poisonous if
ingested and can cause skin reaction
Some plants have spines or other sharp edges, produce dusty
residues, or have rough stems that may cause injury when a
gardener comes into contact with them.

6. Access for maintenance
All garden features that may require maintenance need
consideration of safe access for this purpose.
Hedges need trimming, trees need pruning, and garden
buildings and structures may need painting etc.
Working at height is a particular hazard, but even beds and
borders need sufficient space around them to allow digging
and maintenance without twisting or balancing.

7. End of section
You have now reached the end of this presentation
on common garden hazards. Now read the relevant
section of the handout and consider the question
below before proceeding to the next page.