Leaf Fall
During autumn fallen leaves often cover over gully covers and gratings, which can cause blockages to the road drainage system and lead to road channels becoming flooded.
Extra attention is given to locations where large numbers of trees are known to shed their leaves on to the road surface and these places will be swept regularly to prevent blockages to the road drainage system from occurring.
This work supports the on-going effort of our Gully Clearing Programme, which target high risk locations within Glasgow's road drainage system of approximately 74,000 gullies along 1922km of carriageway.
Due to unsettled autumn weather in Glasgow, however, leaf fall can build up quickly at any time or place across the network.
The potential risk of sudden blockages to the drainage system can be reduced with the assistance of residents clearing leaves in the vicinity of their property, which can allow and surface water to clear more readily.
Our leaf fall campaign encourages residents and community groups to help keep their neighbourhood footways and gullies/drains clear during the autumn and winter months when fallen leaves are likely to cause slippery surfaces and blocked gullies risking localised flooding.
To help reduce the risk of flooding in your area, you can clear the gullies directly outside your house, if they're accessible from the pavement. Please only clear a drain or gully if it's safe to do so - stay safely on the pavement or verge and use a sturdy brush, long stick, fork or spade or similar.
Do not use your foot - we don't want anyone getting stuck! If it's not safe to clear the drain yourself or if it looks like it's going to be a big job or is an immediate danger then please report the blocked gully by using MyGlasgowApp or by calling RALF on 0800 37 36 35.
Please ensure you have read the risk assessment below before taking part.
Leaves clearing is generally very safe and it is unlikely that you will encounter any serious hazard or incidents.
We recommend that you:
- Work in daylight hours
- Outside of peak time (avoid rush hour)
- Only go out if visibility is good
- Avoid raking leaves uphill or into the roads as they will only wash back into the drain
- Stay on the pavement - do not attempt clearing any drains from a verge on main roads.
Before staring your clearing, consider if you have all necessary tools for the task:
- The correct Personal Protective Equipment - e.g. thick gloves, hi-viz vest, sensible footwear, weather appropriate clothing etc.
- The correct equipment - broom, bag or bin, shovel, dust pan and brush etc. and know how to use the equipment
- Consider all the risks and hazards in the work area - see below
Hazard | Risk | Precautions | Measures to reduce effects in the event of an Incident | Likelihood |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Broken glass, sharp object | Cuts and infections |
| Seek medical attention where necessary. Thoroughly wash any cuts or abrasions as soon as possible, however minor. | Low |
Ground conditions | Sprain, muscle damage and broken bones |
| Thoroughly wash any cuts or abrasions as soon as possible, however minor. Seek medical attention for any serious cuts, bruises or strains. | Medium |
Leaf sweeping | Manual handling, repetitive strain |
| Seek medical attention where necessary. | Low |
Highways vehicle, bicycles, plant and machinery | Collision with moving traffic. |
| Seek medical attention in the event of injury. | High |
People, lone working | Physical or verbal assault |
| Seek medical attention in the event of injury. Report the incident to the police. | Low |
Adverse Weather eg: thunder storms | Various health issues |
| Seek medical attention where appropriate. | Medium |
Covid-19 | Infection spread |
| Book a test, follow medical guidance. | Low |
On completion of work ensure that you wash your hand thoroughly as soon as possible after finishing the task.
Local Biodiversity Action Plan Delivery Plan Woodland Action 8 is:
Encourage soil health by leaving fallen leaves where practicable citywide
Apart from making soils healthy (which helps tree growth and animals that live in soil), leaving fallen leaves helps our local wildlife.
Where safe to do so, away from paths, gullies and drains, please leave leaves in gardens, parks and greenspaces whole and untouched if possible or create a leaf pile overwinter. Or put in a wildlife corner of the garden or at lawn edges and under trees and shrubs.
The piles of leaves that have formed create winter homes for hedgehogs and for many different butterfly caterpillars and pupae where they spend the colder months safe from freezing temperatures and predators.
For more information please visit: Butterfly Conservation the value of fallen leaves
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