Unfortunately I don't know what Ian101's case is all about.
For us, our biggest risk is the hose across the pavement becoming a trip hazard, real or faked. So for us signage is important.
However, a couple of years ago we had a different problem. On a conservatory clean I do once a year, I found we had to contend with a blind person and her dog. The hose across the pavement become very confusing for the dog as he tried to find a safe way round the hazard. Signage didn't help in that situation.
Thankfully I saw this starting to unfold and shouted to the blind lady to stop and I would help her with the hazard, but needed a few seconds to get down from the ladder. Having helped her step across the hose and lots of pats for the dog, I enquired if she was coming back up the street, but as she wasn't, didn't move the van. That was an issue that even a dynamic risk assessment wouldn't have included.
The following year I heard she was ill so hadn't been out and about. This year I will park the van on the driveway to ensure the problem can't happen again if she is still about. Its now an add-on of the 'generic' RAMS for that house. If the lady is no longer living in the area, then that 'add on' will be removed.
I do a few Victorian converted houses in the side streets of Saltburn. I won't do them if the wind is up or if it's too cold. You can't grit a length of pavement successfully IMHO, although I have done it. I usually do them when the children are at school. If I was really 100% H&S conscious I wouldn't do any of these flats as there is always the possibility of pedestrians walking on the pavement. Theoretically I should cordon off a safe area and 'employ' a banksman to secure the area. I can't afford to do that so try to keep my wits about me and stop cleaning when a dangerous situation could arise with a passing pedestrian. I always apologise for my hoses and ask them to please not trip over them.
Last week I had to skip the last few flats as one of the residents was working on his car in the street. In this case the risk was too great and so did these remaining few the following morning.