SAFE WORKING IN THE CEMETERY
Disclaimer: Any member of the Friends of Loxley Cemetery is covered by insurance on official working sessions. These official sessions will also have a team leader with a first aid kit etc.
Please read the infomation below on possible risks and hazards in the cemetery, and also check our Risk Assessment document. This document is updated every year by our Volunteering Team, and circulated to all members by e-mail. We also have a general Health and Safety Policy document.
Risks and Hazards
The cemetery is over 200 years old and for many years has not been regularly maintained.
- Many areas are uneven and pot-holed. Paths can be slippeery.
- Trees and other vegetation have grown over the graves and paths.
- Tree roots, low-growing branches, nettles, brambles and ivy roots are common hazards.
- Some paths are obsctructed by fallen headstones and other masonry.
- Some headstones are unstable and must be avoided.
Using Power Tools
Brush cutters and strimmers: for volunteers using these tools health and safety legislation is enforced by Sheffield City Council. The Health Protection Team of the City Council states that no certificate of competence is required by volunteers using their own battery- or petrol-powered strimmer or brush cutter within the setting of the cemetery, as it is privately owned.
Team leaders will ensure the correct use of PPE (e.g. goggles), assess the tasks being undertaken, the terrain, and the competence/ability of the persons carrying out the tasks, and ensure that a 15m distance from bystanders is maintained to avoid injury by flying objects.
There must be no use of chain flail/non-standard cutting attachments on brush cutters.
Insurance: our present insurance policy with Zurich covers volunteers using strimmers and brush cutters, assuming that the above control measures are in place, but it does not cover the use of chainsaws.
We are not covered for tree clearance on trees over 5m tall.
Plot Owners
If you or your family are working on your own plot, then as plot owners, you can use whatever tools you like.