Health and Safety

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 6 months by our Health and Safety Officer, and circulated to all members by e-mail. We also have a general Health and Safety Policy document.

 

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.