Health and Safety Policy for Gardening Southfields

Gardening Southfields is committed to maintaining a safe working environment for all staff, contractors and visitors involved with our garden maintenance and landscaping operations. This policy sets out the responsibilities and practices that underpin our approach to health, safety and wellbeing across the service area. Our aim is to protect people and property while delivering high quality Southfields gardening services in a consistent and professional way.

We recognise that garden and grounds work carries inherent risks including manual handling, work with powered tools, use of chemicals, traffic near sites and working at height. The company will apply a risk-based approach to control hazards and will ensure that gardeners in Southfields and visiting personnel are informed, trained and equipped to perform tasks safely. Management will provide leadership and resources to keep safety standards under continual review.

This document outlines the principles and practical measures we follow. It is designed to be clear and actionable for all staff and to reflect best practice for a small to medium gardening company. The policy applies to routine lawn care, hedge trimming, planting, soft landscaping, hard landscaping support and seasonal works carried out by our Southfields gardening team.

Responsibilities are allocated so that everyone understands their role. Senior management will: maintain an up-to-date safety policy, ensure adequate training and supervision, support incident investigation and corrective actions, and allocate resources to comply with our safety objectives. Supervisors and team leaders will ensure safe systems of work are followed, PPE is used, and daily briefings cover site-specific hazards.

All employees are required to: follow safe work procedures, report hazards and near-misses immediately, use provided safety equipment responsibly, and participate in training. We encourage a culture of open communication where concerns about safety are raised without hesitation. Temporary workers and subcontractors must comply with this policy and demonstrate equivalent standards before commencing work with our crews.

To support safe delivery of gardening services we use a combination of preventive measures and practical controls, including:

• Risk assessments for each site and task, carried out before work begins;
• Safe systems of work for powered tools, strimmers, chainsaws and mechanical equipment;
• Mandatory PPE such as gloves, eye protection, hearing protection, hi-vis clothing and safety footwear;
• Control measures for hazardous substances including fertilizers, pesticides and fuels;
• Traffic management and segregation where work is adjacent to roads, driveways or public footpaths;
• Clear procedures for working at height, including use of stable platforms and ladders;
• First aid provision and emergency response arrangements;
• Scheduled maintenance and inspections of equipment.

Training and competence are central to our policy. We invest in regular training, toolbox talks and assessment of practical skills so that our team of garden maintenance professionals are capable of identifying risks and acting appropriately. New employees receive induction that covers core safety topics, and ongoing development is provided to address evolving tools, techniques and regulatory guidance.

Incident reporting and investigation processes ensure that any accident, injury or near-miss is recorded and reviewed. Lessons learned are integrated into safe working procedures and communicated to all relevant staff. Where appropriate, corrective measures include updating risk assessments, replacing or repairing equipment, altering work methods and additional training.

The company also maintains clear standards for manual handling, safe chemical use and environmental controls to minimise potential harm to the workforce and the public. Waste management, spill control and the safe storage of fuels and pesticides are treated with particular care to protect both people and local amenity areas. We emphasise prevention and continuous improvement as part of our everyday operations.

Monitoring and Review

Performance is monitored through regular site checks, equipment inspections, review of incident records and staff feedback. The policy is reviewed at least annually, and more frequently if operational changes or incidents indicate the need for revision. Our objective is to reduce incidents and maintain a safe, productive working environment for all those involved in providing gardening services in Southfields.

Commitment and Culture

This Health & Safety Policy is a statement of intent and reflects the commitment of senior management to protect the health and welfare of employees and others affected by our activities. Creating a positive safety culture relies on leadership, clear communication and a shared responsibility for safe working practices. Every member of the team is expected to contribute to that culture.

Signed on behalf of the company: the policy will be communicated to all employees and made available at the workplace. Regular updates will be provided and key elements incorporated into staff briefings so that gardeners Southfields operate with competence, confidence and care.