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Orchard & Fruit Picking Risk Assessment — Generated Instantly for £29
Describe your orchard operation — pick-your-own, commercial harvesting, farm shop, visitor access. We generate a fully written, UK-compliant orchard and fruit picking risk assessment covering ladders, machinery, allergens, public safety and all relevant regulations in minutes.
Used by pick-your-own farms, commercial orchards, fruit growers and visitor farms across the UK
🍎 Running a pick-your-own operation? Mention it — we'll include public access controls, ladder safety for visitors, allergen warnings, first aid provisions, and emergency procedures specific to family groups and children on site.
Legal requirements for orchard and fruit picking operations
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, every employer has a duty to ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees and to protect members of the public who may be affected by their activities. For orchards and pick-your-own farms, this means assessing and controlling risks from ladders, machinery, allergens, pesticide residues, slips and trips, and public access. Section 3 of the Act specifically requires that you conduct your undertaking in such a way as to ensure persons not in your employment are not exposed to risks to their health and safety.
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require a written risk assessment for any work activity. Regulation 3 states that every employer must make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to the health and safety of employees and others who may be affected. For orchards, this includes seasonal workers, contractors, and the visiting public. Where you employ five or more people, the significant findings must be recorded in writing.
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 apply to all work involving ladders and elevated platforms. For fruit picking, this means orchard ladders, stepladders, and tractor-mounted platforms must be suitable, stable, and inspected. Employees must be trained in safe ladder use, and public access to ladders must be controlled or prohibited. Regulation 6 requires that work at height is properly planned, appropriately supervised, and carried out in a manner that is so far as reasonably practicable safe.
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) require assessment and control of exposure to pesticides, fungicides, and other agrichemicals. Even after the statutory re-entry interval has passed, residues may remain on fruit and foliage. Your assessment must address hand hygiene, signage, and the provision of washing facilities. Allergens including pollen, latex cross-reactivity (stone fruits, tree nuts), and wasp stings must also be considered — particularly for visitors with known allergies.
Public liability insurance is a commercial requirement for any farm open to the public. Insurers will expect documented evidence that you have assessed risks to visitors and implemented appropriate controls. An orchard risk assessment satisfies this requirement and demonstrates due diligence in the event of an accident or claim.
How it works
1. Describe your operation
Tell us the type of orchard (apples, pears, stone fruit, soft fruit), the picking method (commercial harvest, pick-your-own, school visits), whether ladders or machinery are used, and who will be on site (staff, seasonal workers, families, children). Mention any recent pesticide applications, known allergens, or additional activities like tractor rides or farm shop access.
2. Let the app take the strain
Anyrisks produces a fully written, UK-compliant orchard and fruit picking risk assessment referencing the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Work at Height Regulations 2005, COSHH, and public safety best practice. Every hazard is identified and controlled.
3. Instant download and use
Download as PDF and Word. Share it with your insurer, display it at entry points, provide copies to schools and group organisers, or file it for HSE compliance. £29, no subscription.
What it covers
Every orchard and fruit picking risk assessment is written in full — covering all hazards specific to your operation and visitor profile.
Ladder safety — selection, inspection, training and public access controls
Work at Height Regulations 2005 compliance for elevated picking
Slips, trips and falls on uneven ground, mud, grass and orchard paths
Machinery hazards — tractors, trailers, mowers, sprayers
Allergen exposure — pollen, stone fruit latex cross-reactivity, tree nuts
Wasp and bee stings — identification, first aid, EpiPen availability
Pesticide and fungicide residues — COSHH assessment and re-entry intervals
Hand hygiene and washing facilities for visitors and staff
Manual handling of fruit containers, ladders and equipment
Public access control — fencing, signage, supervised areas
Safeguarding children — supervision ratios, lost child procedures
Emergency procedures — first aid, allergic reactions, vehicle access
Seasonal worker training and induction
Weather-related risks — sun exposure, heat stress, lightning
Works for
From small family pick-your-own farms to large commercial orchards, Anyrisks covers every type of fruit growing and visitor operation.
What customers say
"Our insurance company needed a full risk assessment before we opened for the season. Anyrisks covered ladder safety, allergens, public access and first aid — everything they asked for. Saved me days of work."
Emma T.
Pick-your-own farm owner, Kent
"We host school groups during apple season. The risk assessment covered supervision, allergen controls, wasp stings and emergency procedures. Schools are happy, and so is our insurer."
Richard B.
Orchard manager, Herefordshire
"I run a small strawberry and raspberry pick-your-own. Anyrisks produced a professional document that covered everything — public safety, COSHH, hand washing, even lost children. Well worth £29."
Claire M.
Soft fruit grower, East Sussex
Anyrisks vs DIY templates
| Anyrisks | DIY / Templates | |
|---|---|---|
| Written in full — not a blank form | ✓ | ✗ |
| Covers both staff and public visitors | ✓ | ✗ |
| Work at Height Regulations 2005 referenced | ✓ | ✗ |
| COSHH assessment for pesticide residues included | ✓ | ✗ |
| Allergen and wasp sting controls specified | ✓ | ✗ |
| Ladder safety and supervision ratios detailed | ✓ | ✗ |
| Meets public liability insurance requirements | ✓ | Sometimes |
| Ready in under 2 minutes | ✓ | ✗ |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a risk assessment for a small pick-your-own farm?
Yes — under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, every employer must assess risks to employees and the public. Pick-your-own operations present specific hazards including slips, trips, falls from ladders, machinery, allergens and agrichemical residues. A written risk assessment is expected by the HSE and your public liability insurer.
Does it cover both staff and public visitors?
Yes — describe who will be on site (staff, seasonal pickers, families, school groups) and the assessment will address risks to employees under Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and risks to visitors under Section 3. Public liability insurance typically requires evidence of risk assessment for visitor activities.
What about ladder use for fruit picking?
Ladder safety is a major consideration. Mention ladder use and the assessment will include controls for selecting stable ground, maintaining three points of contact, adequate training, supervision ratios and restrictions on public use of ladders. The Work at Height Regulations 2005 apply to employees — stepladders and orchard ladders must be fit for purpose and inspected regularly.
Are pesticide residues and allergens covered?
Yes — mention recent spray applications, re-entry intervals, and any known allergens (tree nuts, stone fruit latex cross-reactivity, wasp stings). The assessment will include COSHH controls, signage requirements, and emergency procedures for allergic reactions. Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, exposure to pesticide residues must be minimised.
Does it meet public liability insurance requirements?
Anyrisks produces a professional, regulation-referenced risk assessment that satisfies the requirements of most UK public liability insurers. Insurers expect documented evidence that you have assessed and controlled risks to visitors — this assessment provides that evidence.
Can I use it for school visits and group bookings?
Yes — describe the types of groups you host (school groups, nurseries, community groups) and any additional activities (tractor rides, animal feeding, playground use). The assessment will cover supervision ratios, safeguarding considerations, and activity-specific controls. Many schools and nurseries require a copy of your risk assessment before confirming a visit.
How quickly can I get it?
Under 2 minutes. Describe your orchard operation, the types of fruit, the season, who will be picking, and any machinery or additional activities. Anyrisks produces a complete, UK-compliant orchard and fruit picking risk assessment instantly.
What if I also run a farm shop or café on site?
Mention all activities on site and the assessment will cover them. If you have a farm shop, café, playground, or other visitor facilities, describe them and we will include appropriate controls for food hygiene, slips and trips, and public access. For detailed food safety, you may also need a separate HACCP assessment.
Also see: The Ultimate Guide to Risk Assessment · Do I Need a Risk Assessment? · Risk Assessment Legal Requirements · Risk Assessment Generator