Gardeners North Sheen Health and Safety Policy

Gardeners North Sheen is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our gardeners, clients, visitors and members of the public who may be affected by our gardening and grounds maintenance activities. This Health and Safety Policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with horticultural work, landscaping and garden maintenance services.

Our objective is to prevent accidents, injuries and ill health by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing sensible controls. All staff, contractors and partners are required to cooperate fully with this policy and follow the safety procedures and guidance provided.

Legal Duties and Responsibilities

Gardeners North Sheen will comply with applicable health and safety legislation and recognised industry best practice for gardening and grounds work. Management is responsible for providing clear instructions, information, training and supervision to ensure safe work practices.

Every employee and worker has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. All staff must report hazards, unsafe conditions, near misses, incidents and injuries as soon as possible so that appropriate action can be taken.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

We conduct regular risk assessments for gardening tasks, including lawn care, hedge cutting, pruning, planting, weed control, green waste handling and the use of powered tools and machinery. These assessments consider the nature of the work, the location, environmental conditions and the people who may be affected.

Findings from risk assessments are used to develop safe systems of work. These may include setting exclusion zones, using guarding, adopting safe working distances, and selecting appropriate tools and methods. Staff are expected to follow these systems at all times and to raise any concerns where a task cannot be completed safely.

Training, Information and Supervision

Gardeners North Sheen provides instruction and training relevant to gardening activities, including the safe use of equipment, manual handling techniques, working at height, chemical and product safety, noise control and correct use of personal protective equipment.

New starters receive an induction which includes health and safety expectations, reporting procedures and site-specific rules. Ongoing training and toolbox talks are provided to refresh knowledge and address any new risks or changes in working methods. Supervisors are responsible for monitoring standards, ensuring work is carried out safely and intervening if unsafe practices are observed.

Tools, Machinery and Equipment Safety

We ensure that gardening tools, machinery and equipment are suitable for their intended use and maintained in a safe condition. This includes lawnmowers, hedge trimmers, chainsaws where applicable, blowers, strimmers and any other powered or hand tools used in our work.

Inspections and servicing are carried out at appropriate intervals. Any defective or damaged equipment must be taken out of use immediately and reported to a supervisor. Only trained and authorised personnel may use powered machinery, and all operating instructions and safety guards must be followed and kept in place.

Personal Protective Equipment

Gardeners North Sheen provides and requires the use of suitable personal protective equipment for identified tasks. This may include gloves, safety footwear, high visibility clothing, eye protection, hearing protection, helmets and respiratory protection where necessary.

Employees are responsible for wearing the protective equipment provided, checking it before use and reporting loss or damage. Personal protective equipment is regarded as a last line of defence and does not replace the need to eliminate or reduce risks at source.

Manual Handling and Ergonomics

Many gardening tasks involve lifting, carrying, digging and repetitive movements. Gardeners North Sheen aims to minimise manual handling risks by planning work, using mechanical aids where possible and breaking down loads into manageable sizes.

Staff are trained in safe lifting techniques and encouraged to work in pairs for heavy or awkward loads. Tasks are organised to reduce excessive bending, twisting and overreaching, and suitable tools are used to support good posture and safe working positions.

Chemicals, Substances and Environmental Protection

Where products such as fertilisers, soils, mulches or plant protection substances are used, Gardeners North Sheen will ensure they are assessed and handled safely. Relevant product information is reviewed and suitable controls are implemented.

Only trained personnel are permitted to use such products, and they must follow label instructions and any internal guidance. Storage, transport and disposal of substances are managed to protect people, wildlife, watercourses and the wider environment in the service area.

Working on Client Sites and Public Protection

Our teams often work on client premises and in gardens that may be accessible to residents, visitors and members of the public. We take particular care to protect others by securing work areas, using warning signs where appropriate, and planning work to avoid unnecessary risks.

Tools and machinery are never left unattended in a way that could endanger others. Paths and access routes are kept as clear as reasonably practicable, and debris or waste is removed promptly to reduce slip and trip hazards. Noise and disturbance are managed to minimise inconvenience to neighbours and local communities.

Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses, cases of ill health and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management at the earliest opportunity. Details are recorded, investigated where appropriate and used to improve our controls and prevent recurrence.

Staff are briefed on emergency arrangements relevant to their work locations, including how to summon assistance, respond to injuries, and deal with fire or other emergencies. First aid supplies are made available and at least one person in each team will be trained in basic first aid procedures.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

Gardeners North Sheen regularly monitors compliance with this Health and Safety Policy through supervision, inspections, incident reviews and feedback from staff and clients. Where shortcomings or new risks are identified, corrective actions will be taken promptly.

This policy is reviewed periodically, and whenever there are significant changes in our activities, equipment or legal requirements. Updated versions are communicated to all employees and made available to clients on request. By working together and maintaining high standards of safety awareness, we aim to ensure that all gardening work is carried out without harm to people, property or the environment.