Occupational Health Occupational health issues in groundcare and treework

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1 Occupational health issues in groundcare and treework By Neil Huck

2 Manual Handling and How to Avoid Harm to Your Health in the Landscape Industry By Neil Huck

3 Manual Handling Statistics Causes of Sickness over 3 Days Other 20% Hit by moving, falling object 13% Fall 4% Hit by moving vehicle 2% Trip 23% Handling 38%

4 The Vertebrae and Discs

5 Disc Injuries Prolapsed disc pressing against the nerve

Cumulative Strain Strain from mowing large areas of grass at very steep angles Ride on equipment is unable to be used safely on these angles Pedestrian mowers operations leads to

6 Cumulative Strain Strain from mowing large areas of grass at very steep angles Ride on equipment is unable to be used safely on these angles Pedestrian mowers operations leads to strain to lower back, legs and ankles The operatives were supplied with footwear with very strong ankle support and the team was organised to avoid long periods of mowing on this grass

7 Good Lifting and Handling Techniques Assess the load Keep the load in to your body Lift the load using your legs Put the load down using your legs

8 Good Manual Handling Techniques Manual Handling Assessment Can it be avoided? Use of mechanical aids Reducing the size of the load Avoid long periods of repetitive lifting and handling Avoid twisting and turning when lifting and handling Plan work around the above

9 Hand and Arm Vibration Syndrome By Neil Huck

10 Hand and Arm Vibration Syndrome Collective term for a number of injuries Damaged nerves, blood vessels, bone and muscles of the hands and arms Impaired blood circulation Vibration White Finger (VWF) is one form of HAVS Caused by prolonged and excessive vibration

11 Symptoms and Effects of HAVS First Stages Tingling sensation Pins and Needles May be accompanied by numbness Loss of sensation Aching digits and limbs Stiffness in hands, wrists, elbows and shoulders Blanched fingers and numbness (tips at first)

12 Symptoms and Effects of HAVS Very Severe Attacks Permanently impaired circulation Fingers may take on blueblack appearance Gangrene May Result!!! Exceptional cases can result in amputation

13 Causes of HAVS Use of hand-held vibrating tools Use of hand-fed bench tools Use of pedestrian operated equipment Use of hand-fed plant Excessive and prolonged exposure to vibration over sustained period Tight grip transfers more energy (grip, push, pull) Circulation problems Worse in cold weather Smoking Individual susceptibility

14 Causes of HAVS in Landscaping Common Vibrating Tools Chainsaws Strimmers Hedge Trimmers Leaf Blowers Grinders Breakers Drills Pedestrian Mowers Turf Care Equipment

15 Hand and Arm Vibration Syndrome Prevention Monitoring of exposure levels Manufacturers records of vibration levels and hours of exposure for each machine

16 HAVS Prevention Avoid long uninterrupted use of the machine Take frequent breaks to allow blood to flow back to hands Rotate the use of the machine amongst the team Chose machinery with low vibration levels Ensure machinery is regularly maintained Avoid smoking when using the machines

17 Hearing Damage From Work Based Machinery Prolonged exposure high levels of noise can lead to permanent hearing damage and loss Plus conditions such as tinnitus

18 Hearing Damage Do you know what levels of noise your machinery produces?

19 Hearing Damage Monitoring of noise levels is required under the Hearing Protection at Work Regulations Measured from 1m away from the operator Manufacturers warning sign is 112db noise level to the operator Have you got the correct ear defenders?

20 Hearing Damage Noise Levels from Ground Control Commonly used Machinery Ride on Mower 110db Large pedestrian mower 112db Strimmer 114db Hedge Trimmer 112db Hand Held Leaf Blower 114db Chainsaw 120db

21 Hearing Damage Hearing Protection at Work Regulations Requires all employers to assess noise levels to which their employees are exposed to All equipment producing 80db and above, hearing protection will be provided All equipment producing 85db and above, hearing protection must be worn

22 Remote mower operation Reduced manual handling and cumulative strain injuries Removal of vibration exposure Reduction in hearing damage Removal of ride mower turn over risks

23 Lung diseases Prevent or adequately control construction dust risks Construction dust is not just a nuisance; it can seriously damage your health and some types can eventually even kill. Regularly breathing these dusts over a long time can therefore cause life-changing lung diseases. 24/05/

24 Construction Dust This is a general term used to describe different dusts that you may find on a construction site. There are three main types: 1. Silica dust created when working on silica-containing materials like concrete, mortar and sandstone (also known as respirable crystalline silica or RCS); 2. Wood dust created when working on softwood, hardwood and wood-based products like MDF and plywood; 3. Lower toxicity dusts created when working on materials containing very little or no silica. The most common include gypsum (e.g. in plasterboard), limestone, marble and dolomite. 24/05/

25 Health Risks Anyone who breathes in these dusts should know the damage they can do to the lungs and airways. The main dust-related diseases affecting construction workers are: Lung cancer; Silicosis; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); Asthma. 24/05/

26 And its still Going on!! 24/05/

27 Compulsory Drugs and Alcohol testing Alcohol miss use in the work place can cause injury and damage Alcohol and drug use in the work place can impair judgement when operation plant and machinery The effects on operatives can be a problem in the work place for days after use, putting others at risk Certain prescribed medication will also impair judgement and employers must be made aware of operative who are prescribed drugs or treatment

28 Here are just a few we test for! 24/05/

29 Giant Hogweed, Heracleum mantegazzianum

30 Giant Hogweed problem

Giant Hogweed problem Grows to a height of 3m with large leaves 600mm across Flowers are 400 to 600mm across with up to 1000 seed per flower head Found in damp areas and

31 Giant Hogweed problem Grows to a height of 3m with large leaves 600mm across Flowers are 400 to 600mm across with up to 1000 seed per flower head Found in damp areas and along water courses Contact with the hairs on the leaves and stem, as well the sap, will cause burning and blistering of the skin Long term photo sensitisation of the skin

32 Wild Parsnip

33 Wild Parsnip This is a relatively new invasive species found mainly in Kent, Sussex, and Norfolk it causes a large number of injuries in Europe and USA Injuries are mainly confined to grounds maintenance operatives when strimming, it makes Hogweed burns look mild

34 Sheep and deer ticks, Lyme's disease's

35 Injuries Invasive species of insects Brown Tailed Moth

36 Brown Tailed Moth Causes sever skin irritation and asthma with humans Defoliate trees and shrubs and they build a large numbers of webbing nests on trees and shrubs Mainly found on members of the Roseace At risk are grounds maintenance team members when pruning shrub beds and hedges Control by the use of Deltametherine insecticide and physical removal of the wedding nests

37 Oak Processionary Moth rash

38 OPM Caterpillars

39 OPM NESTS Large Oak tree in Walton on Thames Queen Elizabeth Res, with 18 nest in the tree which had to be removed

40 OPM 2014 position

41 2015 Position

42 Thank You! Any Questions?

Safety Services Guidance. Hand Arm Vibration

Safety Services Guidance. Hand Arm Vibration Hand Arm Vibration Key word(s): Vibration, exposure action value, exposure action limit, machinery, hand held power tools, trigger times, maintenance, surveillance Target audience: Managers, staff who