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Gardening and Landscaping Risk Assessment — Generated Instantly for £29
Describe your gardening or landscaping job — machinery, chemicals, lone working, site type. We generate a fully written, UK-compliant risk assessment covering all hazards, COSHH, manual handling and relevant regulations in minutes.
Used by self-employed gardeners, landscaping contractors and grounds maintenance teams across the UK
🌿 Using pesticides, weed killers or fertilisers? Mention them — we will include full COSHH assessments covering safe storage, PPE, application methods and disposal under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002.
Legal requirements for gardeners and landscapers
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require all employers and self-employed individuals to carry out a risk assessment. Regulation 3(1) states that every employer must make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to the health and safety of their employees and others affected by their work. For gardeners and landscapers, this includes risks from machinery, manual handling, chemicals, working alone and environmental hazards such as uneven ground or confined spaces.
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) require a written assessment before using pesticides, herbicides, fertilisers or any other hazardous substance. This assessment must identify the substance, the route of exposure, the controls required (PPE, ventilation, storage) and emergency procedures. HSE statistics show that occupational skin disease and respiratory conditions are common in horticulture and grounds maintenance — proper COSHH assessments reduce these risks significantly.
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) apply to all machinery used in gardening and landscaping, including mowers, hedge trimmers, chainsaws, brush cutters and chippers. Equipment must be suitable for the task, maintained in safe working order, and operators must be trained. Guarding, emergency stops and isolation procedures must be in place. The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 and Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 also apply — prolonged use of vibrating machinery such as chainsaws and strimmers can cause hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), and noise from leaf blowers and chippers can cause hearing damage.
A written risk assessment is expected by commercial clients, councils, schools and facilities managers. It demonstrates that you have considered the hazards, implemented controls and are working in compliance with UK health and safety law.
How it works
1. Describe the job
Tell us the type of gardening or landscaping work, the site type (domestic garden, commercial grounds, park), the machinery you will use (mower, strimmer, chainsaw), and any chemicals or substances. If you work alone, mention it and we will include lone working controls.
2. Let the app take the strain
Anyrisks produces a fully written, UK-compliant gardening and landscaping risk assessment referencing the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, COSHH, PUWER and all relevant legislation.
3. Instant download and use
Download as PDF and Word. Hand it to your client, submit it to the council or facilities manager, or file it for compliance purposes. £29, no subscription.
What it covers
Every gardening and landscaping risk assessment is written in full — covering all machinery, chemicals, manual handling and site-specific hazards.
Manual handling — lifting, carrying, digging and repetitive bending
Machinery hazards — mowers, strimmers, chainsaws, hedge trimmers, chippers
PUWER 1998 compliance — guarding, emergency stops, isolation
Vibration exposure from hand-held machinery under the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005
Noise exposure from leaf blowers, chippers and mowers under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005
COSHH — pesticides, herbicides, fertilisers, fuel and oil storage
Slips, trips and falls on uneven ground, wet grass and slopes
Working at height — ladders, pruning tall trees, hedge topping
Lone working in domestic gardens and remote sites
Sharps injuries from secateurs, shears and pruning tools
Biological hazards — Weil's disease, tetanus, insect stings, tick bites
Weather exposure — sunburn, heat exhaustion, hypothermia
Traffic management on roadside verges and public spaces
Welfare facilities — access to drinking water, toilets and washing facilities
Works for
From domestic garden maintenance to commercial grounds contracts, Anyrisks covers every type of gardening and landscaping work.
What customers say
"I work alone doing domestic garden maintenance. Anyrisks covered lone working, machinery safety and COSHH for weed killer — exactly what I needed for my commercial clients."
Tom R.
Self-employed gardener, Surrey
"We do grounds maintenance for three schools. The council asked for risk assessments and method statements — Anyrisks produced everything in one go. Saved me a full day's admin."
Clare M.
Landscaping contractor, West Midlands
"We use chainsaws, chippers and stump grinders. Anyrisks covered vibration, noise, guarding and emergency procedures — all the PUWER compliance we needed for our insurance."
Dave K.
Tree surgery specialist, Yorkshire
Anyrisks vs DIY templates
| Anyrisks | DIY / Templates | |
|---|---|---|
| Written in full — not a blank form | ✓ | ✗ |
| COSHH assessment for chemicals included | ✓ | ✗ |
| PUWER, vibration and noise regulations referenced | ✓ | ✗ |
| Covers both domestic and commercial sites | ✓ | ✗ |
| Lone working controls included | ✓ | ✗ |
| Machinery-specific hazards and controls | ✓ | ✗ |
| Ready in under 2 minutes | ✓ | ✗ |
| Instant PDF and Word download | ✓ | Sometimes |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a risk assessment if I work alone as a gardener?
Yes — under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, all employers and self-employed individuals must assess the risks to their health and safety. Working alone in client gardens increases risk, so your assessment must include lone working controls such as check-in procedures and emergency contact arrangements.
Does it cover COSHH for pesticides and weed killers?
Yes — if you use pesticides, herbicides, fertilisers or any other chemicals, mention them in your job description. The assessment will include COSHH controls covering safe storage, PPE requirements, application methods, and compliance with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002.
Can I use it for both domestic gardens and commercial grounds maintenance?
Yes — describe the site type (domestic garden, commercial grounds, park, school grounds) and the assessment will be tailored to the environment. Commercial sites often require additional controls for public access, traffic management and coordination with other contractors.
Does it cover machinery like hedge trimmers, chainsaws and mowers?
Yes — list the machinery you use and we will include controls for safe operation, maintenance, vibration exposure under the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005, noise under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, and guarding requirements under PUWER 1998.
Is it accepted by local councils and facilities managers?
Anyrisks produces a fully written, regulation-referenced risk assessment in the professional format expected by councils, facilities managers, schools and commercial clients. The format is standard across the industry and complies with HSE guidance.
How long does it take to generate?
Under 2 minutes. Describe your gardening or landscaping job, the site type, machinery and chemicals used, and Anyrisks produces a complete, UK-compliant risk assessment instantly.
Can I edit it after downloading?
Yes — you receive both a PDF and an editable Word document. You can add site-specific details, update control measures or add client-specific requirements before submitting.
Does it cover tree work and height access?
Yes — if your work involves climbing, aerial platforms or working at height (e.g. pruning tall trees, hedge topping), mention it. The assessment will include working at height controls under the Work at Height Regulations 2005, including ladder safety, fall arrest and emergency rescue procedures.
Also see: The ultimate guide to risk assessment · Do I need a risk assessment? · Risk assessment legal requirements · Risk assessment generator