Gardeners South Hackney Health and Safety Policy

This Health and Safety Policy explains how Gardeners South Hackney manages health, safety and welfare for our gardening services. Our aim is to provide a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, contractors, clients and members of the public while delivering gardening, landscaping and grounds maintenance services.

Policy Statement

Gardeners South Hackney is committed to preventing injury, ill health and damage to property arising from our gardening activities. We will identify, assess and control risks associated with our work, and continuously improve our health and safety performance.

Health and safety is a core part of how we operate. All work will be planned and carried out with proper regard for people, property, plants and wildlife. We expect everyone working with us to follow this policy and all associated procedures.

Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the company management, who will ensure that adequate resources, information, training and supervision are provided to implement this policy effectively.

Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for:

Ensuring that gardening tasks are properly planned and risk assessed before work begins. Providing clear instructions and guidance on safe systems of work. Checking that equipment is in safe condition and used correctly. Monitoring working practices and correcting unsafe behaviour. Reporting hazards, near misses and incidents promptly so that action can be taken.

All gardeners, operatives and contractors working on behalf of Gardeners South Hackney are responsible for:

Taking reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Following all safety instructions, training and company procedures. Using equipment and personal protective equipment correctly. Reporting hazards, defects, accidents and near misses without delay. Co-operating with the company in achieving safe working conditions.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Before starting work at any garden or outdoor site, a suitable and proportionate risk assessment will be carried out. This will consider the nature of the gardening work, the condition of the site, access routes, weather conditions and any vulnerable people who may be affected, such as children, older residents or pets.

From the risk assessment we will adopt safe working practices. These may include restricting access to work areas, using protective barriers where needed, scheduling noisy or disruptive tasks at appropriate times, and adapting methods to suit confined or shared outdoor spaces.

Risk assessments will be reviewed if there are significant changes to the work, the site or relevant guidance.

Use of Tools, Machinery and Equipment

All gardening tools, machinery and equipment used by Gardeners South Hackney will be suitable for the task, maintained in safe condition and used only by those who are competent and authorised.

We will ensure that:

Power tools such as hedge trimmers, lawn mowers, strimmers and blowers are inspected regularly and taken out of use if defective. Guards and safety devices are fitted and kept in working order. Fuel is stored, transported and handled safely. Extension leads and electrical equipment are checked for damage and used with appropriate protection. Manual handling of heavy items such as soil bags, paving stones and plant containers is planned to avoid strain and injury, using lifting aids or team lifting where necessary.

Chemicals, Fertilisers and Green Waste

Where gardening tasks involve the use of chemicals, fertilisers or other substances that could be harmful, we will follow safe handling and application procedures. Substances will be clearly labelled and stored securely away from unauthorised persons, especially children and animals.

We will minimise the use of hazardous substances and favour safer alternatives where possible. Instructions from manufacturers will be followed and appropriate personal protective equipment will be worn during use and disposal.

Green waste and other arising materials from gardening work will be handled and removed safely to prevent trip hazards, obstruction of access routes and environmental harm.

Personal Protective Equipment

Personal protective equipment will be provided where risks cannot be controlled adequately by other means. This may include safety footwear, gloves, eye protection, hearing protection, high visibility clothing and weather-appropriate clothing.

All persons must use the protective equipment provided, keep it in good condition and report any loss or damage so that it can be replaced promptly.

Public and Client Safety

When working in gardens, shared outdoor spaces or near public areas, we will take all reasonable steps to protect clients, neighbours, passers-by and visitors. This includes managing vehicle movements, cordoning off work zones where necessary and avoiding leaving tools unattended in accessible locations.

We will maintain tidy work areas, keep paths and entrances clear wherever practicable and clearly communicate any temporary restrictions or hazards to clients.

Training, Information and Supervision

Gardeners South Hackney will provide appropriate health and safety training and information to ensure that everyone is competent to carry out their gardening tasks safely. This will include induction training, instruction in the safe use of tools and machinery, and task-specific guidance for higher-risk activities such as working at height or using powered equipment.

Levels of supervision will be proportionate to the risks and the experience of the individual. Less experienced workers will be closely supervised until they are deemed competent to work more independently.

Accidents, Incidents and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents and near misses occurring during gardening work must be reported to management as soon as possible. We will investigate these events to understand their causes and take action to prevent recurrence.

First aid arrangements will be provided that are suitable for mobile gardening operations. All staff must familiarise themselves with emergency procedures for each site, including access routes for emergency services and locations where work can be stopped safely if urgent action is required.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

We will monitor compliance with this Health and Safety Policy through site checks, incident reports, feedback from staff and clients, and regular management reviews. Where improvements are identified, we will update our procedures and communicate changes to all relevant personnel.

This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes in our operations, legislation or guidance affecting gardening and outdoor maintenance work. The updated policy will replace earlier versions from the date of issue.