Health & Safety Policy — Gardening Services Maida Vale

Purpose: This document sets out the health and safety policy for our gardening operations delivered across Maida Vale and surrounding neighbourhoods. The policy is written to ensure the safe delivery of landscape maintenance, garden care and horticultural services by a professional gardening company and to reduce risk to staff, clients, and the public.

Scope

This policy applies to all employees, contractors and temporary staff engaged in garden maintenance, planting, hedge cutting, lawn care, and tree work provided by our Maida Vale gardening services. It covers onsite work, equipment handling, transport between sites and storage of materials.

Responsibilities

All staff must follow safe systems of work and report hazards. Management will provide training, maintain equipment, and monitor compliance. Employees have a duty to take reasonable care for their own safety and that of others, to use provided protective equipment, and to follow written procedures.

Hazard Identification: Routine risk assessments are carried out before work begins. Typical hazards include manual handling, use of powered tools (mowers, strimmers, chainsaws), slips, trips and falls, contact with hazardous substances (fertilisers, pesticides), and working near boundaries and public footpaths. We actively identify seasonal risks such as wet leaves, icy surfaces, and allergenic plants.

Control measures include safe work method statements, use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, eye protection, high-visibility clothing and hearing protection, and clear exclusion zones while powered equipment is in use. Tools and machinery are inspected regularly and only operated by trained staff.

Training and Competence: Staff receive induction training covering accident reporting, emergency procedures, and site-specific hazards. Further competence checks and task-specific training are provided for specialist activities such as tree surgery, pesticide application and operating heavy or vibrating machinery. Records of training and licenses are held centrally.

Safe Systems and Procedures

Written procedures are in place for high-risk tasks. These include:

• Site risk assessment and client brief prior to starting work;
• Permit-to-work principles for confined spaces or complex tree operations;
• Lock-off and isolation procedures for machinery maintenance;
• Spill response and safe handling guidance for chemicals and fuels.

Supervisors ensure procedures are followed and reviewed after incidents.

Our gardening company promotes a safety-first culture. Staff are instructed to stop work and seek advice if an unanticipated risk arises. Daily pre-start checks of vehicles and plant are mandatory. Loads are secured correctly in transit and manual handling is minimised by utilising mechanical aids whenever practical.

Personal Protective Equipment and Clothing

Appropriate PPE is provided and must be worn when required. This includes hard hats for overhead risks, chainsaw protective trousers for cutting operations, and respiratory protection when using dust-creating equipment or applying treatments. Maintenance of PPE is the employee's responsibility; damaged items must be reported immediately.

Incident Reporting and Investigation: All accidents, near misses and unsafe conditions must be reported without delay. The company will investigate incidents to identify root causes and implement corrective actions. Records are retained to inform training and prevent recurrence. We aim for continuous improvement in safety performance.

Medical emergencies are responded to promptly with appropriate first-aid provision on site and knowledge of nearest medical facilities. For non-emergencies, staff are encouraged to seek occupational health support for work-related injuries and conditions.

Monitoring and Review: This policy is reviewed at least annually and following significant changes to operations, equipment or legislation. Management will monitor compliance through site inspections, toolbox talks and performance indicators such as incident rates and audit findings. Employees are invited to contribute to reviews to ensure practical and effective controls.

Environmental and Public Safety: Our gardening services in Maida Vale include measures to protect the public and the environment. Waste materials are disposed of responsibly, spill kits are available for fuel or chemical leaks, and dust or noise impacts are managed to avoid nuisance. Works adjacent to public areas are cordoned and signposted to prevent access to hazardous zones.

Legal and regulatory compliance is maintained through adherence to industry standards and best practice. While this policy is not a substitute for legislation, it provides a robust framework for safe work. We expect all staff and contractors to act in accordance with these principles and to support a safe working environment for everyone.

Commitment: The company is committed to providing a safe workplace for all employees and members of the public affected by our services. By following these procedures, the Maida Vale gardening team aims to deliver high-quality garden maintenance and landscaping with the highest regard for health and safety.