Health and Safety Policy — Garden Maintenance Bermondsey

Policy Statement and Purpose

Garden Maintenance Bermondsey operates with a clear commitment to protect the health, safety and welfare of employees, contractors, clients and the public while delivering exceptional landscaping and garden upkeep. This policy outlines how our gardening services in Bermondsey manage risk, maintain safe working systems and promote a culture of responsibility and continual improvement. The purpose is to set out practical, proportionate measures for risk control, ensuring that garden care teams can work effectively and safely across residential and commercial premises.

Our approach to garden maintenance recognises that routine tasks such as mowing, pruning, hedge trimming, planting and waste removal carry inherent hazards. The policy applies to all staff and contractors engaged in any aspect of garden work within the service area, and it supports supervisors in organising tasks so that health and safety are integral to planning and execution rather than an afterthought.

This document complements site-specific risk assessments and method statements used on a job-by-job basis. It is not a substitute for those assessments but provides a framework for consistent safe practice, including the selection and maintenance of equipment, appropriate training, and the correct use of personal protective equipment.

Scope, Responsibilities and Training

All staff are expected to take reasonable care for their own safety and that of others affected by their actions. Managers and supervisors have the duty to ensure risk assessments are current, that team members are competent for assigned tasks and that adequate supervision is provided. Employees must follow safe systems of work and report hazards promptly. The company provides induction and ongoing training suited to the tasks carried out by our Bermondsey garden teams.

Competence includes knowledge of machinery such as ride-on mowers, strimmers, chainsaws and powered hedge cutters, plus manual handling techniques, safe use of ladders, and awareness of environmental risks. Training records are maintained for each operative and refresher sessions are scheduled to address new tools, materials or regulatory guidance relevant to grounds maintenance.

We place strong emphasis on communication and briefing. Before each job, operatives receive a toolbox talk that highlights hazards, control measures and emergency arrangements. Clear task allocation and visible signage support safe operations when the team works on or near public walkways and roads.

The company implements a hierarchy of controls to manage hazards: eliminate where possible, substitute with safer options, apply engineering and administrative controls, and ensure suitable PPE is provided. Routine checks of equipment, electrical tools and safety guards are carried out and documented. Hazardous substances used for plant health or pest control are handled according to product instructions and stored securely in labelled containers.

Key safety measures include:

• Pre-start equipment checks and maintenance schedules
• Safe storage and handling of chemicals and fuels
• Use of PPE such as gloves, eye protection, hearing protection and high-visibility clothing
• Traffic management where operations are adjacent to roads or access routes
• Manual handling controls and mechanical aids for heavy lifting

Regular workplace inspections and periodic reviews of procedures help ensure that these controls remain effective and appropriate for the types of gardening work we undertake.

Incident reporting and investigation form a core part of our safety culture. All accidents, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported promptly so that root causes can be identified and learning implemented. Corrective actions are tracked to completion and shared with staff to prevent recurrence.

Emergency arrangements cover first aid provision, access to trained first aiders during work shifts, and clear procedures for contacting emergency services. Operatives are instructed on evacuation routes for larger sites and on the location of first aid kits and fire extinguishers. Where work takes place in secluded gardens or higher-risk areas, two-person teams or communication devices are used to enhance safety.

Monitoring and review are ongoing. Senior management conducts periodic audits and reviews of safety performance, while staff feedback contributes to practical improvements. This policy is reviewed annually, and sooner if there are significant changes to operations, new equipment, incidents or changes in good practice for garden care services.