Sidmouth Community Food Forest: Volunteer Health & Safety Guide

Welcome to the Sidmouth Community Food Forest! Your safety is our priority. Please read and follow this guide carefully to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. If you have any questions, please ask a session leader.

1. General Awareness & Common Sense

  • Listen to your session leader: They are there to guide you and ensure tasks are carried out safely.
  • Stay alert: Be aware of your surroundings, other volunteers, and any potential hazards. 
  • Be aware of uneven ground and hidden trip hazards … especially in long grass. 
  • Know your limits: Don’t attempt tasks you’re uncomfortable with or that feel beyond your physical capabilities. It’s always okay to ask for help or a different task.
  • Children: If children are present, they must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times.
  • First Aid: Locate the first aid kit and know who the designated first aider(s) are at the start of each session. Report ALL injuries, no matter how small, to a session leader.

2. Hand Tools: Safe Use & Care

Most tasks will involve simple hand tools.

  • Tool Selection: Use the right tool for the job. If unsure, ask.
  • Inspection: Briefly check tools for damage before use. Report any broken tools immediately.
  • Safe Handling:
    • Keep sharp edges/points away from yourself and others.
    • Pass tools carefully: Hand them handle-first, or place them on the ground for someone else to pick up. Never throw tools.
    • Maintain control: Use tools steadily and with control. Avoid overstretching or awkward positions.
    • Store Safely: When not in use, place tools in a designated, safe area where they won’t be a trip hazard. Do not leave them lying around.
  • Gloves: Always wear appropriate gloves when handling tools, especially pruning tools or when dealing with thorny plants.

No power tools should be used on site. 

3. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) & Clothing

  • Footwear: Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes or boots with good grip. Avoid open-toed sandals or flip-flops.
  • Clothing: Dress for the weather. Long sleeves and trousers are recommended to protect against scratches, sun, and insect bites.
  • Gloves: Bring and wear gardening gloves. They protect your hands from thorns, blisters, and dirt.
  • Sun Protection: On sunny days, consider a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
  • Waterproofs: Bring waterproof layers if rain is forecast.

4. Foraging & Plant Identification: Do NOT Eat Unless 100% Sure!

The food forest contains many edible plants, but also some that are not, or could be harmful.

  • Never eat anything unless:
    • It has been explicitly identified by a session leader as safe to eat.
    • You are absolutely, 100% certain of its identification and edibility.
  • When in doubt, leave it out. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
  • Teach and Learn: This is a great opportunity to learn about plant identification from experienced volunteers, but always err on the side of caution.

5. Awareness of Ticks & Other Insects

Ticks are present in Devon and can carry Lyme disease.

  • Wear appropriate clothing: Long trousers tucked into socks or boots can help.
  • Stay on paths: Where possible, avoid walking through long grass or dense undergrowth.
  • Check yourself: After the session, thoroughly check yourself, your children, and pets for ticks, especially in skin folds, behind knees, armpits, groin, and hairline. Ticks can be tiny, like a poppy seed.
  • Safe Removal: If you find a tick, remove it as soon as possible with a tick remover tool (available at pharmacies) or fine-tipped tweezers, pulling it straight out without twisting.
  • Monitor: If you develop a rash (especially a bull’s-eye rash) or flu-like symptoms in the weeks after a bite, see your GP and mention the tick bite.
  • Bees, Wasps, etc.: Be aware of insect nests. If you are allergic to stings, please inform a session leader and ensure you have any necessary medication (e.g., EpiPen) with you.

6. Fungi in Woodchip & Compost

Woodchip and compost piles are natural habitats for various fungi and microbes. While mostly harmless, some can cause respiratory issues in sensitive individuals.

  • Minimise Dust Inhalation: When moving or disturbing woodchip or compost, try to minimise dust. If you are particularly sensitive or have a respiratory condition (like asthma), consider wearing a dust mask (e.g., an FFP2 or N95 mask).
  • Gloves: Always wear gloves when handling woodchip or compost to protect your hands from fungal spores and other microbes.
  • Wash Hands: Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling woodchip, compost, or working in the soil, especially before eating or touching your face.
  • Open Wounds: Avoid getting woodchip or compost into open cuts or wounds. Keep cuts covered.

7. Hydration & Breaks

  • Bring water: It’s important to stay hydrated, especially on warm days. Bring your own water bottle.
  • Take breaks: Feel free to take a break if you need one. We encourage regular short breaks.

8. Waste & Environmental Responsibility

  • Leave No Trace: Please take all your litter home with you.
  • Respect Wildlife: Be mindful of local wildlife and their habitats.
  • Compost: Learn where to put appropriate organic waste.

9. Reporting & Feedback

  • Report Hazards: If you spot any potential hazards (e.g., broken branches, unstable ground, unknown plants that look dangerous), report them to a session leader immediately.
  • Feedback: Your feedback on safety is always welcome.

Thank you for volunteering and helping us grow the Sidmouth Community Food Forest safely!