Health & Safety Policy — Gardening Herne Hill

Purpose and Scope

This policy sets out the commitment of our gardening company to maintain safe working practices for staff, contractors and clients receiving garden maintenance and landscaping services. It applies to all gardeners in Herne Hill, operatives and subcontractors engaged by the business, and covers routine garden care, planting, tree and shrub maintenance, turfing and hard landscaping where carried out by our teams. The aim is to protect people, property and the environment through consistent standards and practical risk management.

Key Principles

We will: prevent harm through risk assessment and control; comply with good practice for grounds maintenance; encourage a positive safety culture; provide adequate training and equipment; and keep records of incidents and corrective actions. The policy supports safe delivery of Herne Hill gardening services while recognising the variety of tasks and sites we attend.

Responsibilities

Management is responsible for setting policy, assessing risk and allocating resources for safe operations. Supervisors and team leaders must implement controls on site and ensure staff follow procedures. Every operative has personal responsibility to work safely, use PPE, report hazards and not act in a way that endangers others. Garden contractors in Herne Hill engaged by us must follow our standards or provide evidence of equivalent procedures.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems

Before work starts, a written or documented risk assessment will identify hazards (e.g., moving machinery, manual handling, chemicals, working at height, traffic). Controls will be proportionate and practical: segregation of pedestrian and machinery routes, secure storage for hazardous substances, appropriate signage and cordons. Where required, a method statement will accompany higher-risk tasks.

Training, Competence and Supervision

All operatives will receive induction training on this policy, basic first aid, manual handling and equipment operation relevant to their role. Training records will be maintained and refresher sessions scheduled. Supervision will be provided to ensure safe work execution and to support less experienced staff. Where specialist qualifications are needed (for example, chainsaw use or pesticide application), only certified personnel will undertake that work.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Clothing

Operatives must wear suitable PPE for the task: gloves, eye protection, hearing protection, hi-vis clothing, protective footwear and respiratory protection when necessary. PPE is provided free of charge and must be maintained. Failure to use issued PPE without justifiable cause will lead to disciplinary review. Regular checks ensure items remain serviceable.

Equipment, Machinery and Maintenance

All machinery and power tools will be subject to pre-use checks, routine servicing and safe storage. Portable equipment will carry clear operator instructions. Fueling, battery charging and maintenance will avoid ignition sources and protect the environment. Only trained personnel will operate ride-on mowers, chainsaws and powered shredders; safety guards and emergency stops will be checked before use.

Hazardous Substances and COSHH

Where chemicals are used for weed control, fertilising or pest management, a COSHH-like approach will apply: hazard information, safe handling, correct dilution, secure storage and appropriate waste disposal. Material Safety Data Sheets will be retained and accessible. As far as practicable, we will prefer lower-toxicity alternatives and apply the precautionary principle when working around sensitive sites.

Manual Handling, Working at Height and Traffic Management

Manual handling tasks will be assessed and mechanical aids used where possible. Teams will be trained in safe lifting techniques and avoid single-person lifts of heavy or awkward items. Work at height will follow safe access and edge-protection practices; ladders used only for short-duration tasks with appropriate precautions. Vehicle and pedestrian risks are controlled through parking restrictions, cones and clear communication between crews and residents.

• Emergency procedures: clear instructions for first aid, fire and evacuation at each site;
• Incident reporting: all accidents, near-misses and dangerous occurrences will be reported and investigated;
• Monitoring: regular safety audits, toolbox talks and review of incidents to drive continuous improvement.

Review, Compliance and Continuous Improvement

This policy will be reviewed annually or after significant changes to work patterns, legislation or following a serious incident. Performance metrics include training completion rates, incident frequency and audit outcomes. We expect staff to contribute to safer systems by raising concerns and suggesting improvements. The overall objective is a reliable, professional garden maintenance service that upholds health and safety standards while delivering good horticultural outcomes across our operating area.