Health and Safety Policy — Gardeners Wallington

Gardeners Wallington is committed to providing a safe working environment for staff, clients and the public. This policy sets out the core principles that guide our approach to health and safety across all gardening services in Wallington and surrounding areas. The purpose is to minimise risk, prevent injury and ensure safe, competent delivery of lawn care, hedge trimming, planting and general grounds maintenance by our team of Wallington gardeners.

All employees, contractors and subcontractors engaged by our gardening company Wallington are required to read and follow this policy. Safety is a shared responsibility: everyone must report hazards, use personal protective equipment (PPE) and participate in training. Our policy emphasises planning, risk assessment and clear communication so that every gardening task is carried out with due care and foresight.

This document complements on-site risk assessments and method statements prepared before potentially hazardous tasks, such as tree work, working near roads, or using powered equipment. The policy is reviewed regularly and when significant changes occur in operations, equipment or personnel. We expect the same high standards from any partnered contractors, external landscapers and temporary staff engaged on behalf of this gardening business in Wallington.

Risk assessment and safe systems of work

Before starting any job, a competent person must complete a risk assessment that identifies hazards, evaluates risks and specifies control measures. Typical hazards include:

• contact with operating machinery and cutting tools,
• manual handling and repetitive tasks,
• slips, trips and falls on uneven or wet surfaces,
• allergic reactions to plants or chemicals,
• work adjacent to traffic and public access routes.

The result of the assessment is a documented safe system of work, communicated to all team members and available during the task.

Training, competence and supervision

We ensure that all operatives receive appropriate, ongoing training for their role. Training covers equipment use, safe handling of chemicals, manual handling techniques, ladder and scaffold safety, and emergency procedures. Supervisors check competence before assigning independent work. Records of training and certificates are maintained and reviewed annually. Where specialist skills are required (e.g., arboriculture), we engage only suitably qualified workers and require proof of competency.

Personal protective equipment is provided where risks cannot be eliminated. Typical PPE includes protective gloves, eye and hearing protection, chainsaw trousers, high-visibility clothing and safety boots. It is mandatory for staff to wear required PPE and to inspect gear regularly. Faulty or damaged PPE must be reported and replaced without delay. Our approach is to remove or reduce hazards first and use PPE as the last line of defence.

Equipment, maintenance and safe operation — All powered equipment and hand tools are maintained to a high standard and inspected before and after use. Only trained personnel operate petrol-driven or electrical machinery. Batteries, fuel and lubricants are stored securely and in line with manufacturer guidance. Lock-out and tag procedures are used for machinery servicing, and a clear maintenance log is kept for all major items of equipment.

Incident reporting, first aid and emergency response — Any accident, near miss or hazardous occurrence must be reported immediately to a supervisor. We maintain suitable first-aid provisions on site and ensure that first-aiders are available for larger operations. Emergency procedures are in place for severe injury, allergic reaction or environmental incident, and staff are trained in when and how to call for additional emergency services.

Contractor and visitor safety: Contractors and visitors must comply with our health and safety requirements while on site. We inform them of relevant risks and control measures and ensure their work does not introduce unacceptable hazards. Safety briefings are given for larger projects or where public access is present.

Monitoring and continual improvement — We monitor performance through routine inspections, audits and by reviewing incident reports. Performance indicators include near-miss reductions, training completion rates and maintenance schedules. Findings lead to improvements in procedures, additional training or investment in safer equipment. The policy is formally reviewed at least annually and sooner if there is a significant operational change.

Responsibilities: Management must provide resources, leadership and a clear commitment to safety. Supervisors enforce standards and ensure risk assessments are implemented. Employees must work safely, attend training and report hazards. By following this policy, the entire team supports the delivery of professional, safe gardening services across Wallington and nearby locations.

Policy adoption — This Health and Safety policy is endorsed by senior management and applies to all aspects of horticultural and garden maintenance operations undertaken by Gardeners Wallington. It is part of our commitment to protect people, property and the environment while delivering reliable gardening services.

Copies of this policy and supporting procedures are available to staff and relevant partners. Any questions regarding interpretation of the policy should be raised with a supervisor or the designated safety coordinator within the company hierarchy. Together we strive to maintain safe working conditions, minimise risk and uphold professional standards across every gardening project we undertake.