Health and Safety Policy for Garden Maintenance Brimsdown

Our company is committed to maintaining the highest standards of health and safety for staff, clients and the public while delivering professional garden maintenance Brimsdown and allied green-space services. This policy sets out the principles, responsibilities and practical measures that underpin safe working for all operatives providing Brimsdown garden maintenance. It applies to routine lawn care, pruning, planting, hard landscaping support and seasonal works across our service area.

Scope and objectives

The objectives of this policy are to prevent accidents, minimise occupational ill-health and protect the environment. Our approach to garden maintenance in Brimsdown emphasises hazard identification, risk control and continuous improvement. The policy supports compliance with recognised health and safety best practice and encourages a safety-first culture among supervisors, operatives and contractors.

Roles and responsibilities

Management holds ultimate responsibility for implementing and resourcing this policy; supervisors ensure daily safe systems of work; and all operatives must follow instructions and report hazards promptly. Clients and members of the public are asked to co-operate where reasonable to maintain safe access and to respect work-area signage. Contractors engaged to assist with landscaping or specialist tasks must demonstrate competence and follow our site-specific arrangements for garden maintenance services in Brimsdown.

Risk assessment and planning are central to safe gardening operations. Before work begins, a documented risk assessment must be completed for each job, identifying site-specific hazards such as uneven ground, overhead services, traffic, hazardous plants and the presence of children or animals. Control measures should include task sequencing, use of barriers, traffic management and exclusion zones. Supervisors must ensure risk assessments are reviewed when conditions change and that operatives understand control measures.

Safe working procedures and protective measures include the following practical controls and expectations. These are mandatory where relevant to the task:

• Personal protective equipment (PPE): gloves, eye protection, high-visibility clothing, hearing protection and sturdy footwear.
• Tool and equipment checks: pre-start checks, maintenance records and immediate withdrawal of faulty items.
• Plant and machinery use: trained operators only; exclusion zones and use of guards and safety devices.
• Manual handling reduction: team lifting, mechanical aids and safe lifting techniques.
• Safe storage and handling of chemicals and fuels, with COSHH-style controls and secure storage.

Training, competence and supervision are essential. All staff receive induction training that covers this policy, emergency procedures and job-specific safe systems. Additional training includes equipment operation, pesticide safe use, first aid awareness and manual handling. Records of training and competency assessments are maintained and reviewed periodically to support ongoing professional development within our Brimsdown gardening services.

Emergency procedures and incident reporting are part of our safety framework. All operatives must know the emergency contact process for the site they are working on, the location of first aid kits and the identity of the nominated first-aider. Incidents, near misses and unsafe conditions must be reported immediately so corrective action can be taken and lessons shared. We aim to investigate incidents proportionately and implement measures to prevent recurrence.

Vehicle and traffic safety is treated with particular care when delivering garden maintenance in streets, residential estates and commercial sites. Drivers and operatives must ensure vehicles are parked lawfully and do not obstruct access. Deployment of cones, signage and banksmen where necessary is required to protect operatives and the public. Loading and unloading procedures should minimise time spent on carriageways and maximise the use of site protection.

Monitoring, review and environmental consideration complete our policy. Regular site inspections, toolbox talks and audits check that the garden maintenance Brimsdown team adheres to procedures and that any improvements are captured. The policy is reviewed annually or sooner if circumstances change. Environmental protection is integral to our work: waste is segregated and disposed of responsibly, soil and vegetation management seek to protect biodiversity, and chemical use is minimised and applied only where necessary, following safe handling rules and manufacturer guidance.

We expect all workers to act with personal responsibility and for supervisors to lead by example. This health and safety policy is a live document: it supports the consistent delivery of safe, high-quality Brimsdown garden maintenance while protecting people and the local environment. Compliance with these standards is a condition of employment and engagement for everyone who represents our services.

Continuous improvement is achieved through feedback, regular review and targeted training. By embedding clear responsibilities, robust risk control and practical safety measures, our aim is to reduce incidents and foster a culture where safety complements productivity and excellent horticultural workmanship.

Signed and endorsed at the highest management level, this policy is communicated to staff, contractors and relevant stakeholders to ensure it is understood and applied consistently across all garden maintenance activities in our service area.