Health & Safety Policy for Gardeners Golders Green

Gardeners Golders Green is committed to providing a safe working environment for staff, contractors and the public while delivering high-quality gardening and landscape services. This policy sets out our approach to risk management, safe working practices and continuous improvement across all aspects of our gardening, maintenance and soft landscaping operations.

Policy statement

We recognise that prevention of injury and ill health is integral to good business practice. All personnel employed by the Golders Green gardening team will be informed of their responsibilities and supported to work safely. Our objective is to minimise risks from tools, machinery, chemicals and site hazards through planning, training and supervision.

This policy applies to routine garden maintenance, shrub and tree works, turf care, planting operations and any specialist tasks undertaken by Gardeners Golders Green. The scope covers work on private and commercial properties within our service area and any activities that are controlled by our staff. We will review and update this policy annually, or sooner if there are significant changes to work methods, equipment or legislation.

Responsibilities

Management will: provide leadership on health and safety, allocate necessary resources and ensure risk assessments and safe systems of work are current. Supervisors will ensure that instructions are followed and that site-specific hazards are controlled. All employees are expected to work safely, report hazards promptly and use issued protective equipment.

Employee duties

Individuals must: follow safe operating procedures, attend required training, use PPE, report incidents and cooperate with investigations. Apprentices and new hires will receive induction training specific to gardening operations, including machinery use and chemical handling.

We promote a culture where safety concerns raised by staff are taken seriously. Near-miss reporting and open communication channels ensure hazards are dealt with early and contribute to a safer gardening workforce across Golders Green and neighbouring communities.

Risk assessment and control

Before starting any task, a written or documented risk assessment will be undertaken. The process will: identify hazards; assess who may be harmed; determine control measures; and record significant findings. Controls follow a hierarchy: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Typical controls include safe storage of sharp tools, isolation of moving parts on mowers and shredders, safe systems for working at height, and traffic management when operating on roadside verges. Manual handling techniques and mechanical aids are used to reduce back and limb injuries among gardening crews.

Chemical safety: when herbicides, pesticides or fertilizers are used, we apply COSHH-style controls—using appropriate products, correct dilution, secure transport and storage, and disposal in line with environmental best practice. Only trained staff handle and apply plant protection substances.

Equipment and maintenance

All equipment is maintained to a safe standard with documented inspection schedules. Portable tools, mowers, chainsaws and powered equipment are checked before use. Faulty machinery is removed from service and repaired by qualified personnel. Batteries and fuel handling follow safe refuelling procedures to prevent fire and spill risks.

We provide appropriate PPE such as gloves, eye and hearing protection, high-visibility clothing and cut-resistant garments. Staff are trained in correct PPE use and the company enforces compliance at all work sites. Regular audits confirm PPE availability and condition.

Emergency procedures and incident reporting: we maintain clear arrangements for first aid, emergency contacts and arrangements for dealing with major incidents. All incidents and near misses are reported, recorded and investigated to identify root causes and prevent recurrence. This approach supports safer garden maintenance and groundskeeping services across our delivery area.

Training and competence

Training ensures that staff are competent for the tasks they undertake. Induction covers hazards, company policies and emergency arrangements. Ongoing training includes safe machine operation, pesticide application courses, manual handling and first aid. Training records are maintained for each employee.

Monitoring and review

We monitor performance via site inspections, toolbox talks and safety audits. Key performance indicators include incident rates, completion of training, and timeliness of equipment maintenance. Senior management reviews these metrics to drive improvements and allocate resources where needed.

To support the aims of this policy, we maintain clear documentation, readily available risk assessments, method statements and safety procedures. This policy is endorsed by company leadership and communicated to staff and relevant contractors. By embedding safety into daily operations, Gardeners Golders Green strives for continual improvement in the protection of people, property and the environment.

• Core commitments: reduce harm, comply with standards, and promote safety culture.
• Report: promptly report hazards and incidents.
• Train: support skills and competence among all team members.