Gardener with tools performing lawn maintenance

Health and Safety Policy — Garden Maintenance Osterley

This policy sets out the commitment of our gardening and groundskeeping team to protect the health, safety and welfare of staff, clients and the public while providing professional garden maintenance services across the Osterley area and neighbouring communities. It applies to all work activities, including routine garden maintenance, landscape care, shrub and hedge management, and seasonal services. The aim is to create a safe working culture that minimises risk, ensures compliance with recognised safety standards and supports continuous improvement.

Scope and Responsibilities

The policy covers employees, subcontractors and anyone who may be affected by our operations. Senior management has overall responsibility for safety strategy and resource allocation, while site supervisors are accountable for day-to-day implementation. Every operative is required to follow safe systems of work, report hazards and take reasonable care for their own safety and that of others. Risk assessment and clear delegation of duties are fundamental to effective delivery.

Team conducting risk assessment on a garden site

Risk Assessment and Planning

Before work begins, a documented assessment of each site is completed. Assessments identify hazards such as uneven ground, overhead services, hazardous plants, pesticide use and proximity to public footpaths. Controls are selected to eliminate or reduce identified risks and are communicated to the team. Planning also considers weather, site access and potential interactions with third parties including neighbours and pedestrians.

Safe Systems, Equipment and PPE

We maintain and enforce strict standards for equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE). All machinery is inspected and serviced to the manufacturer's guidance and operated only by trained personnel. The following are examples of mandatory controls applied across jobsites:

Personal protective equipment — gloves, eye protection, high-visibility clothing and sturdy footwear;
Equipment checks — daily pre-use checks and scheduled maintenance for mowers, strimmers, chainsaws and power tools;
Safe storage — secure and ventilated storage for fuel and chemicals, with suitable spill kits;
Barrier controls — signage and cordons when work affects public access.

First aid kit and safety equipment at a gardening worksite

Emergency Procedures and First Aid

Emergency preparedness is central to our policy. Each operative is briefed on site-specific emergency procedures, including how to summon assistance and locate the nearest first aid equipment. First aid kits are provided in vehicles and on-site where practical. Incidents and near-misses are recorded and investigated to prevent recurrence, and lessons learned feed back into training and method statements.

Training, Competence and Supervision

We invest in ongoing training to ensure everyone is competent to perform their duties safely. Training covers safe use of equipment, hazardous substances awareness, manual handling, working near traffic and tree work where applicable. Supervisors monitor performance and provide coaching to reinforce safe behaviours. Records of training and certifications are maintained to demonstrate competence.

Handling Chemicals and Waste Where herbicides, pesticides or fertilizers are used, we follow strict application procedures, employ appropriate PPE and limit use to qualified staff. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are available for all controlled products and disposal follows environmental best practice. Waste arisings from maintenance activity are segregated and removed responsibly in accordance with approved waste handling protocols.

Worker using a protective mask while handling garden chemicals Manual Handling, Working at Height and Mechanical Safety Manual handling tasks are planned to minimise lifting and repetitive strain, and mechanical aids are used where feasible. Work at height is carefully controlled with appropriate fall prevention measures, such as harnesses, platforms or ladders selected and used in accordance with risk assessments. Power tool safety includes guarding, isolation procedures and authorisation for use.

Client Site Considerations and Public Safety When operating on client premises or in communal spaces, we coordinate with site managers to agree access, exclusion zones and times of work. Special precautions are taken where children, pets or vulnerable people are present. Clear signage and proactive communication reduce the likelihood of accidental contact with machinery or chemicals.

Supervisor conducting a safety briefing with gardening staff Monitoring, Audit and Continuous Improvement Safety performance is monitored through routine site inspections, toolbox talks and periodic audits. Non-conformances trigger corrective action and updates to processes. Management review ensures the policy remains relevant and effective, with resources allocated to address identified gaps. We pursue continual improvement and encourage active participation from all staff in shaping safer ways of working.

Commitment and Review This Health and Safety Policy represents our active commitment to protecting people and property while delivering professional garden maintenance services within Osterley and surrounding districts. It is communicated to all employees and is subject to regular review. Everyone has a role in creating a safe working environment — adopting recommended controls, reporting concerns and supporting improvement measures. The policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if operational changes, incidents or new guidance require amendments.