Working on a Slope

Slopes can be a significant hazard for the carrying out of maintenance work.

Make sure a risk assessment has been carried out for the ground as well as the machine which is to be used on the slope.

For manual work and the use of pedestrian operated equipment it is important that adequate grip on safety footwear is provided, so check that soles are not worn.

Ground conditions, especially if it is wet, or where there are irregular depressions, trip hazards, rabbit scrapes, mole runs which can easily collapse, and the like, can reduce foothold and grip and make a slope unsafe to work on whilst the conditions exist. Can a worker safely and adequately negotiate the angle of the slope? Is the slope steeper than the angle recommended for use of a particular machine? Check the manufacturer’s operating manual and decals on the machine. Be aware of situations which might arise whereby a machine might slide into a watercourse, road or obstacle.

Overturning of a machine, whether pedestrian, ride-on turf equipment or tractor, can readily occur on a slope, especially if weather or ground conditions change during the day, or as a worker becomes more tired as the day goes on. Being diligent and having good awareness of all surroundings is arguably even more important when working on a slope than working on a level piece of ground. Does the edge of the slope lead onto a flat piece of grass or ground, or does it finish at the top of a brick wall, watercourse, golf bunker, or other potentially hazardous obstacle or feature? Overturning a machine at the edge of a slope can easily occur and the consequences can be fatal.

Using a ride-on machine or tractor on a slope, going up or down it, is often the preferred method of operation. However, in some situations this can result in a loss of traction between the tyres and the ground, causing sliding, especially if the grass surface is slightly damp and having a ‘greasy’ appearance. If an implement is attached to the rear of a machine, then make sure the front is adequately weighted to counterbalance the weight of the attached implement. Breaking should always be carried out in a gradual and not sharp manner as the latter can increase the chance of any attached trailer continuing in its forward motion whilst the tractor itself is slowly rapidly, resulting in the trailer jack-knifing.

Use a low gear on a tractor when working on slopes, do not change gear on the slope as the declutching action results in temporary loss of power-drive control increasing the risk of sliding occurring. With hydrostatic transmission on ride-on equipment, or tractors, make sure a consistent or lower speed is achieved to ensure adequate tractor is maintained through the ascent or descent of the slope.

Working across a slope increases the chance of sideways sliding occurring; any load carried in a trailer can move a slide across the trailer causing a potential downwards movement of the trailer; there is an increased risk of a tractor or ride-on machine, especially if it has an attached implement, turning over.

Where side-ways working across a slope needs to take place, and assuming this has been deemed safe and acceptable following a risk assessment, then make sure all attached implements are kept as low to the ground as possible; maintain a slow and consistent speed; do not break sharply; use wide tyres and low pressure tyres (which will still be within the manufacturer’s recommendations for the desired pressure but will be specialised designed as low-pressure tyres); do not turn downwards on a slope but turn in an upwards directions and turn very carefully and slowly to keep control of the tractor or ride-on and attachment at all times.