Health and Safety Policy — Gardener Greenwich

Gardener Greenwich is committed to providing safe and healthy working conditions for all employees, contractors and visitors engaged in our gardening and grounds maintenance work. This policy outlines our approach to risk reduction, safe working practices and continual improvement in health and safety across the service area. The purpose is to ensure that every member of the team understands responsibilities and that hazards are managed consistently by our Greenwich gardener teams and mobile crews.

Scope and objectives: The policy covers all routine gardening services, seasonal operations and ad-hoc maintenance tasks carried out by our gardening company staff, including planting, pruning, turf care, hedge cutting, hard landscaping support and waste handling. Our objectives are to prevent harm, comply with applicable safety expectations, minimise environmental impact and maintain high standards of professional care. We will allocate sufficient resources to implement safe systems and to support a culture where safety is everyone’s responsibility.

Management commitment and responsibilities

Management will: lead by example, ensure risk assessments are current, provide equipment and training, and keep records of incidents and corrective actions. Supervisors and team leaders must brief staff on tasks, ensure that safety checks are completed and confirm that personnel understand emergency procedures. Employees are required to follow safe systems, report hazards, and co-operate with health and safety measures to protect themselves and others.

Risk assessment and safe systems of work

Risk assessments will be carried out for all activities and reviewed whenever conditions change. Assessments identify hazards such as manual handling, working at height, use of sharp tools, machinery hazards, plant and equipment defects, traffic risks and exposure to hazardous substances. From assessment we will implement control measures, safe work methods and a permit-to-work approach where needed. All site-specific precautions should be documented and made available to the crew.

Training, competence and communication

We will ensure staff competence through induction, task-specific training and regular refresher sessions. Training topics include safe use of mowers, chainsaws, strimmers, manual handling techniques, risk awareness, first aid basics and pesticide handling where applicable. Toolbox talks and pre-start briefings will be used to communicate risks and daily controls. Strong supervision, clear job briefs and a mentoring approach support less experienced workers.

Personnel responsibilities include following instruction, using provided protective equipment and participating in incident investigations. We will maintain training records and evaluate competence before assigning higher-risk duties to any employee.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) and equipment maintenance are essential. PPE such as safety boots, gloves, eye and ear protection, hi-vis clothing and protective leg wear for chainsaw work will be provided and maintained. Equipment will be inspected before use, maintained in accordance with manufacturer guidance and serviced by competent technicians. Defective machinery must be removed from service immediately and reported.

Working with hazardous substances and waste: When pesticides, fertilizers or other chemicals are used, procedures will be in place for safe storage, handling, dilution and application. Only authorised trained staff will apply chemicals, and COSHH-style assessments will guide control measures and disposal. Garden waste, green waste and hazardous residues must be segregated, stored securely and disposed of through approved waste pathways to reduce environmental harm.

Traffic, vehicle safety and lone working

We will manage vehicle movements to protect workers and the public. Vehicles and trailers used for garden work will be properly maintained, load-secured and only operated by authorised drivers. Works near roads or public footpaths will have clear segregation, signage and where necessary a banksman to control movements. Lone working arrangements include check-in procedures, risk assessment and provision of communications to ensure welfare and prompt response in an emergency.

Incident reporting, first aid and emergency procedures: All incidents, near misses and unsafe conditions must be reported without delay so that corrective action can be taken. We will maintain suitable first aid provision, ensure access to emergency contacts and display procedures on site. Major incidents will be escalated and investigated to identify root causes and prevent recurrence.

Monitoring, audit and continual improvement: Regular inspections, safety audits and performance monitoring will be used to assess compliance and the effectiveness of controls. Findings will inform training, update safe systems and influence resource allocation. We are committed to reviewing this policy annually or sooner if circumstances change, ensuring that our Greenwich gardening company practices remain up to date and effective.

Policy review and acceptance: This health and safety policy will be reviewed and endorsed by management and communicated to all staff. By working together—management, supervisors and operatives—we ensure a professional, safe and responsible approach to all gardening activities. Maintaining safety is integral to the quality of service provided by Gardener Greenwich and contributes to the wellbeing of our teams and the communities we serve.