The Challenge

The maintenance of sloped ground and embankments has long been a challenge for land owners, managers and public agencies. It is recognised that the compromise to safety through the high risk of operator injury arising from the use of machinery and methods not best suited to this difficult type of work is no longer acceptable.

Health and Safety Executive guidelines and recommendations support this and highlight the need for specialised equipment and appropriate operator skills in meeting this challenge.

The investment in specialist equipment, operator training and ongoing costs may often be seen as unviable simply because of the high capital outlay and potential under utilisation of equipment and skills.

Another option might be to adopt a “unmaintainable ground” stance when assessing ongoing maintenance programmes. This is a high risk strategy due to the increasing threat of invasive weed infestation which, in itself, is both costly to eradicate and reportable under acts such as The Wildlife and Countryside Act (as amended) 1981 and the Environmental Protection Act 1990.