Module 7:

Responsible use of equipment and materials

7.3 Carrying out a risk assessment

7.3.4 Step 3(b): Hierarchy of control

Once the risks have been rated the use of a hierarchy of control, or risk control measures, should be carried out.

This is a 5-stage sequence of measures to reduce and control the identified and rated risks. Controls can be considered practical solutions that eliminate or reduce the potential for an injury to occur.

1. Firstly, eliminate the risk by removing the hazard. This might mean questioning whether an activity has to be carried out.

2. Substitution of an activity or material where elimination is not possible, for example, using a less hazardous material or different way of carrying something out. This might also mean changing the functionality of an area to one which requires fewer maintenance activities.

3. Use engineering controls, which will typically mean ensuring adequate guards are in place to remove, separate, or isolate the operator from the hazard, for example from hot exhausts or moving parts. Can the use of robots or radio / wire-controlled machines be used?

4. Administrative controls are then used to reduce the hazard, and this might mean changing working patterns to reduce fatigue or prohibiting the use of listening to music or any audio whilst operating machinery. Ensure safe systems of work are applied and risk assessments carried out and understood by operators. Appropriate training must also be given, and this can include refresher training after a pre-determined period of time, maybe every 3 to 5 years.

5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): This is a last resort and where a risk still exists then appropriate PPE must be provided by an employer and worn by employees.

We have combined the columns ‘Controls in place’ and ‘Further action needed’ to a column called ‘Controls’ for this exercise because the two columns could only be fully completed when carrying out a live risk assessment for a specific situation.

The examples of controls given in the table are only indicative and not exhaustive.

Item & Hazard	Controls
1. Unsafe operating tractor / ride-on	Ensure adequate training has been undertaken. Operator’s manual to be available and understood by user. Ensure machinery is in good repair and all guards are in place and safety features are functioning correctly prior to use. Ensure the relevant site-specific risk assessments are available and understood by user prior to mowing. For example, location and gradient of slopes, ditches, watercourses, public access, other vehicle access and traffic routes, car parking, buildings, obstacles, utility service covers, drainage ditches, wet areas, etc. Do not allow another person to ride on the mower. All defects to be reported and recorded to the relevant person and machinery taken out of use until defects are rectified. Take planned breaks from mowing to reduce fatigue and loss of concentration. Practice the Safe Stop procedure when the tractor / ride-on mower has come to a halt. Wear identified PPE, e.g. safety boots, ear protection.
2. Incorrect maintenance	Ensure correct maintenance practices and schedule carried out in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations. Ensure machinery pre-use check carried out and documented confirmation of checks on check list, or similar. Clean machine after use. Provide adequate training in maintenance requirements and also ensure relevant tools are available, as well as a suitable location in which maintenance can take place. Provide and wear appropriate PPE.
3. Overturning	Operate only within parameters of manufacturer’s recommendations. Maintain vigilance on slopes, perimeter areas, as well as uneven ground. Ensure correct speed for the ground conditions and situation. Correct use of roll over protection bar / system and wear seat belt.
4. Moving parts	Keep hands, arms, feet away from any moving part. Ensure guards and safety devices are in place and in good condition. Ensure mower and power unit is stopped before attempting any adjustments. Do not clear any mower blockages with hands or arms as release of blockage may cause any tension on rotary blade to be released once blockage freed. Wear identified PPE whilst using a mower.
5. Items thrown from mower	Check area to be mown prior to cutting. Look for hard debris (e.g. stones, glass, cans, tree branches) and soft material (e.g. leaves, paper, sweet wrappers). Remove debris prior to mowing. Maintain vigilance at all times whilst mowing. Ensure guards are in place, being undamaged and secure. Ensure mower chassis is undamaged. Wear identified PPE, e.g. eye-protection, gloves, safety boots. Plan mowing to take place when other persons are least likely to be present.
6. Hot parts	Wait until engine cooled before doing any maintenance work. Wear identified PPE, e.g. nitrile gloves, eye protection, body protection, when working near hot engine. Refill fuel only when engine is cool. Do not check or top-up coolant when radiator is hot, allow it to cool.
7. Electric shock	Wear appropriate PPE, e.g. gloves, rubber soled boots. Wear non-synthetic clothing, e.g. leather garments. Isolate battery if required. Remove all jewellery before working near electrical components. Avoid static shocks by grounding yourself by touching metal chassis, or similar. Avoid touching both positive and negative battery terminals at the same time with a metal object, e.g. a spanner. Check for damaged electrical cables. Follow manufacturer’s recommendations for maintenance work.

Item & Hazard	Controls
8. Lone working	Plan working so other workers within sight of another worker, where possible. Arrange for regular meetups / crossovers between workers during the day, where possible. Ensure mobile phone or portable two-way handheld radio is available to worker. Have live location tracker fitted to mower. Mowing route to be planned in advance and adhered to, with any alterations communicated to operations control before proceeding. Plan for planned time update during the day between worker and operations control. Ensure worker is not ill or has an injury prior to commencing work which may compromise safe use of the machinery. Wear high visibility clothing.
9. Excessive vibration	Monitor and record vibration values with a suitable vibration meter and time the user is operating the machine. Ensure user stays within acceptable exposure time for whole-body vibration (WBV) and hand arm vibration (HAV). Follow manufacturers operation recommendations. Check blades for damage and evenness of balance. Ensure fixings are secure and not loose. Wear identified PPE, e.g. anti-vibration gloves. Ensure seat adequately padded. Maintain correct posture whilst operating machine. Install higher backed seat if available and required. Use machinery which offers low exposure values.
10. Contact with fuel, oil, grease and other liquids, inhaling fumes	Wear identified PPE, e.g. nitrile gloves, goggles, face shield, face masks. Use protective barrier cream. Handle materials with care. Use appropriate dispensing tools to minimise potential contact with materials. Clean hands thoroughly after use of any material.
11. Harsh & severe weather	Wear appropriate clothing for prevailing weather conditions. Wear sunscreen / sunblock if UV levels require this for the individual concerned. Ensure adequate food and drink intake to maintain health. Take appropriate breaks to reduce fatigue. Change work activity if conditions become inappropriate.
12. Manual handling	Ensure adequate training on manual handling techniques. Lift and move objects in appropriate manner, being within identified capabilities of individual; ensure manual handling risk assessment undertaken. Use equipment and machinery in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. Take appropriate breaks to reduce fatigue. Plan work activities to reduce long periods of manual handling activities. Wear identified PPE, which might typically be safety boots and gloves as a minimum requirement.
13. Sharp objects, biohazards	Wear identified PPE, e.g. strong gloves, safety boots, goggles. Use long reach grabbers for sharps, long handled scoops or claws, specialised vacuum unit, or similar, for biohazards. Use correct waste disposal bags and bins, as required, to place objects in.
14. Explosion	Ensure fuels are stored and handled correctly. Use appropriate containers and lockable cabinets, with key removed when not in use. Refuel machines only when engine cool, outdoors, and away from potential sources of ignition. Ensure fuel filler is replaced and properly secured after refilling, wiping away and cleaning up any spillages. Wear identified PPE, e.g. face shield, eye protection, gloves.
15. Collision	Operator trained and confident in use of mower. Maintain vigilance at all times. Stop mowing if pedestrians (some of whom may have a hearing or visual impairment, whilst young children who may not understand risks involved) or animals nearby, move to another adjacent area to mow if appropriate. Erect barrier or cordon off access to area to create an exclusion zone, if practical, whilst mowing. Erect signs to indicate mowing taking place. Maintain vigilance around low branches on trees, keeping a safe distance from them. Wear PPE, e.g. hard hat, goggles, if mowing near low branches on trees; high visibility clothing. Valid UK driving licence to be held to allow legal use of highways.
16. Unauthorised use	Remove ignition key when not in use. Do not leave machine unattended in key is in ignition. Ensure mower is in a secured location when not I use for long periods of time.
17. Excessive noise	Wear identified PPE, e.g. ear plugs, ear defenders. Operate machine in appropriate and controlled manner, in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations, not under strain so as to reduce noise.

3 Safe Stop procedure

Before using a machine, it is important to know how to stop it safely, this is where the four step Safe Stop procedure comes into play. Always read and understand the manufacturer’s operating manual before using any machine or equipment.

Step 1: Engage handbrake / parking brake.

Step 2: Put controls in neutral (unless otherwise stated by the manufacturer’s operator’s manual).

Step 3: Switch off engine or turn off power supply.

Step 4: Remove key (or lock the power supply) and put it in a safe and secure place.

Safe Stop needs to be practiced in the following situations:

Before leaving the driver’s seat.

When anyone else approaches the tractor / ride-on mower.

Before anyone carries out maintenance, adjustments or deals with a blockage.

(Source: Using machines safely, HSE, accessed 15th July 2026)>

Module progress: 70%

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