The purpose of this Risk Assessment is to determine any potential risks and to explain how those risks are mitigated. Risks are assessed by the impact of the risk, if it were to occur, and the probability of it occurring. Risks will be mitigated where possible; any residual risk will be deemed to be so low as to be risk-accepted.
Christmas Lights: These are commercial waterproof outdoor Christmas Tree lights connected by 240v mains extension cable to a private supply on private property. The extension cable is protected by a single socket RCD adapter at the domestic power socket. The RCD adapter is zip tied at ceiling height of the domestic garage. The connection of the lights to the extension cable is on private property and is inaccessible to the public and protected from water and wet weather with a water resistant covering.
Christmas Tree: This is an approximately 15′ high tree that will be placed on the public pavement area at the end of Temple Inn Lane, opposite the pub and garage near the Parish Council notice board. A heavy duty stand will hold the tree in place which is anchored by floor bolts to the ground. A contractor may use a JCB to position the tree in place, or the tree will be lifted by several volunteers supervised by a tree surgeon. An additional rope at the height of the 2m wall will tie the tree to fixed tree in the garden to reduce risk of falling in road. The contractor has their own risk assessment and public liability insurance for the use of the JCB.
| Risk | Control |
| Injury from JCB [Risk Impact 5, Probability: 4] | – Installers to wear high visibility vests and not approach the JCB during operation. While the JCB is being operated the installers are to constantly look out for any passing members of the public and warn the public not to approach and keep them away from the JCB during operation. – Installers are to keep away from the JCB while the engine is switched on and to wait for the operator to signal permission before approaching the JCB. – JCB operator to have their own risk assessment and public liability insurance for the procedure. |
| Installation accident [Risk Impact 3, Probability: 4] | – Lights are not being installed higher than ladder height and above a hard surface – Always two contractors present with one holding the ladder – Installers have been provided with “Ladder rules” (See appendix) – Installers have previous experience installing this Christmas tree – Other than the JCB operator, Installers are not to use equipment higher than a step ladder – Installers will install upper decorations and lights whilst the tree is lying on the ground to avoid overreaching |
| Electrocution [Risk Impact 5, Probability: 3] | – Cables/connectors will all be well out of reach behind a high stone wall that is inaccessible to the public – Mains connection is out of reach and on private property – All mains power connects back to a RCD adapter. All outdoor connections to be protected from the weather and protected with a circuit breaker. – Christmas lights will be checked for any faults or visible damage to cables before installation. – Clerk to arrange PAT testing as required by the PAT testing risk assessment (Note: email 10/8/21 BHIB Insurance) |
| Tree falling over [Risk Impact 4, Probability: 3] | – Base to be bolted to ground – Additional ropes may be used if deemed necessary for extra stability – Clerk will check the weather forecast and arrange for the tree to be taken down, checked by tree surgeon or further secured with ropes if high winds are due (+31mph) – maximum height to be about 3m from the first bottom branch to the last top branch (not including trunk and top vertical shoot), Tree to be trimmed down at the base, with any branches removed, to this height at the tree farm before transporting |
| Car hitting tree [Risk Impact 3, Probability: 2] | – Tree separated from road by more than 3 meters |
| Public walking into tree [Risk Impact 2, Probability: 3] | – Walking space left around tree and street lighting allows for visibility of tree at night. – A rope is extended from the tree to the domestic garden above head height so that there are no trip hazards to the public. |
| Tree decorations falling off and causing injury [Risk Impact 2, Probability: 3] | – Decorations secured safely – Decorations are not heavy enough, or of a material hard enough, to cause injury |
Appendix 1: Ladder Rules
- Always face ladder when ascending/descending
- Always maintain 3 points of contact (2 feet + 1 hand or 2 hands + 1 foot)
- Top of ladder should never be used as a step
- Ladders should never be moved, shifted or extended while occupied
- Never carry an object or load that could cause you to lose your balance