Health and Safety - Blowing away the Myths.

The Association realises that in an ever more complex world, that Health and Safety is not only an item that appears at the workplace but also  is applicable to everyday life , and allotments are no exception. With this in mind it has produced guidance on issues such as bonfires and loaning of machinery.

A guidance pack is available on risk assessment and safety in general, for any committee to review and look at in the context of their own situations.It is written in plain English and is easy to follow and understand. 

All information is sourced from knowledgable bodies such as the NSALG , HSE, AIR and our resident safety advisor. However as with all things of this nature it is given 'without prejudice' and needs to be adjusted given the application on a committee by committee, site by site basis.

This does not mean that societies under the remit of SMAGA are 'on their own', the Safety Advisory capacity is extendable to site visits through contact via this site or the monthly meetings.

Safety is something that is easily made into a task no one wants to do and becomes ignored. This need not be the case, all it requries is careful management. The same as the accounts or the meeting minutes that must be part of a succesful committee's records.

It is hoped to build on this issue to cover many aspects of our pastime and supply information on many items to construct a library of information of practical application to all our members. The following publications are available at this time:

Information sheet on Datura stramonium                                   (Jimson Weed , Thorn Apple)                                                                  A 'weed ' that is found more and more on allotment sites around the country and is potentially very dangerous

Health and Safety on Allotment Sites     -          

Guidance for Committees on Risk Assessment / Machinery Loan.               

Bonfires - Environmental law and other concerns               

 ADVICE

SMAGA is at the forefront of allotmenting in Stockport and as such has links to many sources of information. Whether it be on accounts for comittees or how to set a committee up in the first place. 

Do you want to set up your own site committee? - many of the member sites realise the great strength there is in a well run committee -it is not hard and you do not have to be retired to do it!!!

You need time, access to a computer and a drive to make your site better - but that is it.

SMAGA have experienced members who can supply constitutions and rules for site as well as practical advice on actually running an allotment society - from collecting rents, proforma paperwork for areas such as tenancy packs, notice to quit, improvement notices, minutes formats to guide minutes, agenda headings etc.

All this is available to Allotment societies and associations in the Borough and of course other interested allotments if they need assistance.

Of course there are other portals of information you can use ,  refer to the links page on this site for that if you wish.

Together we make a difference......use the contacts section to find out more.