Gardeners Seven Sisters Health and Safety Policy

This Health and Safety policy sets out how Gardeners Seven Sisters manages and promotes safe working practices across all gardening and grounds care services. Our aim is to prevent injury, protect health, and ensure a safe, tidy and respectful working environment for our team, clients and members of the public.

Policy Statement

Gardeners Seven Sisters is committed to maintaining high standards of health and safety in every aspect of our work. We will take all reasonably practicable steps to identify hazards, manage risks and provide appropriate control measures. Health and safety considerations are integrated into the planning and delivery of every gardening task, from routine maintenance to more complex projects.

We review this policy regularly to reflect changes in legislation, working practices, tools, and client needs.

Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the management of Gardeners Seven Sisters, who ensure that suitable systems, resources and guidance are in place. Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for implementing this policy on site, including briefing team members, conducting checks and monitoring standards.

Every employee, contractor and temporary worker has a duty to:

Work safely and follow the instructions, training and guidance provided.

Use tools, machinery and protective equipment correctly and report any defects immediately.

Cooperate with supervisors on health and safety matters and participate in training as required.

Report accidents, near misses, hazards or unsafe conditions without delay.

Take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Gardeners Seven Sisters carries out risk assessments for gardening activities, including the use of powered equipment, working at height where applicable, manual handling, application of horticultural products and waste handling. These assessments are used to create safe systems of work that set out how tasks must be carried out to reduce risk.

Risk assessments are reviewed and updated when new equipment is introduced, working methods change, or if an incident indicates that improvements are required. Site-specific considerations, such as access routes, surfaces, visibility and the presence of residents or visitors, are taken into account when planning work.

Training, Information and Supervision

All team members receive appropriate induction and ongoing training relevant to their roles. This may include the correct use of gardening tools and machinery, safe manual handling techniques, safe use of power tools, handling and application of gardening products, and emergency and first aid arrangements.

Where specialised equipment or methods are required, only trained and competent personnel are authorised to carry out the work. Supervisors monitor working practices, provide guidance, and intervene if unsafe behaviour or conditions are observed.

Equipment, Tools and Machinery

Gardeners Seven Sisters ensures that all equipment, tools and machinery used in our gardening services are suitable for their intended purpose, maintained in safe working order and used in line with manufacturer instructions and relevant guidance.

Regular inspections and servicing are organised, and defective equipment is removed from use until repaired or replaced. Guards, safety devices and emergency stop functions must never be removed or bypassed. Only authorised team members may operate powered machinery such as lawn mowers, trimmers, blowers and cutting equipment.

Personal Protective Equipment

Appropriate personal protective equipment is provided where necessary, based on the risks identified for each task. This may include protective gloves, safety footwear, eye and face protection, hearing protection, high-visibility clothing and respiratory protection where required.

Employees are required to use the personal protective equipment provided, to take reasonable care of it and to report any damage, loss or defect so that it can be replaced or repaired promptly.

Manual Handling and Ergonomics

Many gardening tasks involve lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling and repetitive movements. Gardeners Seven Sisters is committed to reducing the risk of strain and injury by planning work to minimise unnecessary manual handling, using mechanical aids where possible and ensuring team members are trained in safe lifting techniques.

Loads will be assessed for weight, stability and handling difficulty. Team members are encouraged to share loads, take regular breaks from repetitive tasks and report any discomfort or early signs of strain so that adjustments can be made.

Hazardous Substances and Horticultural Products

Where gardening products or substances that may present health risks are used, we assess those risks and implement appropriate control measures. Where necessary, products are stored, transported, mixed and applied strictly in accordance with supplier instructions and relevant guidance.

Only trained and authorised staff may handle such materials. Personal protective equipment, safe disposal procedures and spill response arrangements are in place where required.

Public Safety and Site Management

Our gardening work often takes place in areas that are accessible to residents, visitors and the general public. Gardeners Seven Sisters takes care to plan and conduct activities in a way that minimises disruption and risk to others.

This includes clearly defining working areas where necessary, using appropriate signage or barriers, positioning machinery and vehicles safely, and maintaining good housekeeping so that tools, materials and waste do not present tripping or other hazards.

Environmental Protection and Waste

Health, safety and environmental responsibilities are closely linked in gardening work. Gardeners Seven Sisters aims to minimise any negative impact on the local environment while maintaining safe practices. Green waste and other materials are handled and disposed of responsibly, with recycling and reuse considered wherever practicable.

Care is taken to protect existing planting, wildlife habitats, water features and surrounding property from damage as far as reasonably practicable during our work.

Accidents, Incidents and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported as soon as reasonably practicable. Details are recorded, investigated and used to improve our risk controls and working practices. First aid arrangements are in place appropriate to the nature and scale of the work being carried out.

Team members are briefed on emergency procedures, including how to summon assistance, the location of first aid supplies and how to respond to incidents involving members of the public, fire, equipment failure or adverse weather conditions.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

Gardeners Seven Sisters monitors compliance with this Health and Safety policy through site checks, equipment inspections, incident reviews and feedback from employees and clients. Findings are used to make improvements to training, procedures, equipment and planning.

This policy is reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes in legislation, operations or identified risks. Our goal is to maintain a culture in which safety, care and professionalism are an integral part of delivering high quality gardening services.