Health and Safety Policy for Garden Maintenance Herne Hill

Garden Maintenance Herne Hill is committed to protecting the health, safety and welfare of its staff, contractors, visitors and the public while providing high quality garden maintenance Herne Hill and related landscaping services. This policy sets out the responsibilities, procedures and standards our Herne Hill gardening services team follows to ensure safe, reliable and efficient garden care in and around the service area. All employees and contractors must read, understand and apply this policy as part of everyday work.

Our core commitment is to maintain a safe working environment through risk reduction, appropriate training and effective supervision. The company will provide the necessary resources to implement this policy, including suitable personal protective equipment, safe plant and machinery, and up-to-date safety information. Managers and supervisors are accountable for enforcing safe systems of work, while every team member has a personal duty to work safely and report hazards. The policy supports continual improvement in safety standards for gardeners, operatives and clients engaged with Herne Hill garden maintenance.

All work is subject to a pre-job assessment to identify hazards and implement control measures. These risk assessments consider ground conditions, proximity to public access, traffic management, the presence of children or pets, and environmental factors. Where hazardous substances are used, a Control of Substances Hazardous to Health approach is applied. The Herne Hill garden maintenance team uses safe handling procedures for pesticides, fuels and lubricants, and stores chemicals securely to minimise risk.

Plant, equipment and vehicles are inspected and maintained according to written schedules. Only trained operatives use powered tools and machinery, including mowers, chainsaws and hedge trimmers. Safe operating procedures are displayed and reviewed regularly. Where mechanical or electrical equipment cannot be made safe, work is stopped and alternative methods are used. This approach reduces accidents and supports the reliability of our Herne Hill gardening services.

Personal Protective Equipment and Training

All staff receive induction training and ongoing instruction tailored to their role, covering manual handling, use of PPE, traffic awareness and emergency response. PPE such as gloves, eye protection, hearing protection and hi-visibility clothing is provided and must be worn as required. The policy emphasises correct lifting techniques, team lifts for heavy items and the use of mechanical aids to prevent musculoskeletal injuries while delivering garden maintenance Herne Hill.

The company maintains records of training, qualifications and competency checks. Apprentices and new starters work under close supervision until competence is demonstrated. Training extends to safe ladder use, hedge cutting at height, and working near overhead lines, while ensuring that Herne Hill garden maintenance team members can identify and control workplace risks effectively.

Safe Systems of Work and Emergency Procedures

Work planning includes method statements for higher-risk tasks, such as tree pruning, stump removal and working adjacent to highways. Emergency procedures are maintained and communicated to all staff. These include first aid arrangements, incident reporting, and steps to secure a site after an accident. First aid kits are accessible in vehicles and depots, and nominated first aiders are identified on site notices.

The company operates a clear accident and near-miss reporting process. All incidents are investigated, root causes identified and corrective actions implemented to avoid recurrence. Regular on-site safety briefings and toolbox talks reinforce best practice and keep the team aligned with the aims of the safety policy. This continuous feedback loop supports a culture of safety across all Herne Hill garden maintenance and landscaping operations.

Environmental protection is integral to safe working. Waste materials are managed responsibly, green waste is composted or disposed of through licensed routes, and fuel handling follows best-practice measures to avoid spillage and contamination. The policy encourages the use of low-emission equipment where feasible and promotes practices that reduce harm to wildlife and neighbouring properties during garden care in Herne Hill.

Contractors, subcontractors and temporary workers must comply with this policy and demonstrate their own safety arrangements before starting any work. The company assesses subcontractors for competency and safety performance, ensuring that expectations for safe working mirror those of Garden Maintenance Herne Hill. Supervision and monitoring are provided to verify compliance and to support continuous improvement.

Performance is measured through regular audits, site inspections and reviews of safety records. The management team will review this policy annually, or sooner if significant changes occur to operations, legislation or best practice. Everyone working for Herne Hill gardening services is encouraged to contribute to the review process by suggesting improvements and reporting concerns promptly.

In summary, this Health and Safety Policy sets out a practical framework for delivering safe, professional and responsibly managed garden maintenance in the Herne Hill service area. Adherence to the policy protects people, property and the environment while ensuring that the quality and reliability of our garden care services remain consistently high. All staff and contractors are expected to commit to these standards and act to uphold them every day.