Gardeners Roehampton Health and Safety Policy
Gardeners Roehampton is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, clients, visitors and members of the public who may be affected by our gardening and grounds maintenance activities. This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risk and promoting safe working practices across all services we provide.
Policy Statement and Objectives
We recognise our duty to manage health and safety in a systematic, proactive way. Our objectives are to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property, and to ensure that health and safety considerations are an integral part of planning and delivering our gardening services.
We will comply with relevant health and safety legislation and industry standards applicable to gardening, landscaping and grounds maintenance work. We will continually seek to improve our health and safety performance through regular monitoring, review and staff consultation.
Responsibilities
Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the management of Gardeners Roehampton. Management will ensure that appropriate resources, information and training are provided so that this policy can be implemented effectively.
Supervisors are responsible for day to day implementation of this policy, ensuring that safe systems of work are followed on site, that equipment is used correctly and that staff understand and follow health and safety procedures.
All employees are required to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Employees must follow all safety instructions, use protective equipment provided, report hazards or incidents promptly and co operate with any health and safety initiatives introduced by the company.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
We will undertake suitable and proportionate risk assessments for our gardening and maintenance activities. These assessments will consider hazards such as manual handling, use of powered equipment, slips and trips, working at height, exposure to noise and vibration, and contact with plants, soil and garden chemicals.
Risk assessments will be reviewed periodically and whenever there is a significant change in work practices, equipment or locations. Findings will be communicated to employees, and safe systems of work will be developed to control identified risks as far as reasonably practicable.
Training, Information and Supervision
Gardeners Roehampton will provide appropriate health and safety induction and ongoing training for all employees. This may include training in safe use of gardening tools and machinery, manual handling techniques, safe storage and use of fuel and garden chemicals, and correct use of personal protective equipment.
Employees will receive information on site specific risks and any particular controls required for specific tasks. Supervision will be provided in proportion to the level of risk and the experience and competence of employees, with additional oversight for new or young workers.
Equipment, Machinery and Tools
All gardening equipment, machinery and tools used by Gardeners Roehampton will be selected, maintained and inspected to ensure they are safe and suitable for the tasks undertaken. Defective or damaged equipment must be taken out of use immediately and reported to management.
Employees will only operate powered machinery and specialist equipment when they have been trained and authorised to do so. Manufacturer instructions and company procedures must be followed at all times to minimise the risk of injury, noise, vibration and flying debris.
Personal Protective Equipment
Where risks cannot be adequately controlled by other means, appropriate personal protective equipment will be provided and used. This may include protective footwear, gloves, eye and ear protection, high visibility garments and weather appropriate clothing.
Employees are responsible for using protective equipment correctly, looking after it, and reporting any loss or damage so that it can be replaced promptly.
Manual Handling and Physical Work
Gardening work can be physically demanding. Gardeners Roehampton will seek to minimise manual handling risks by using mechanical aids and safe lifting techniques whenever possible. Loads will be assessed before lifting or moving, and work will be planned to avoid unnecessary carrying or awkward postures.
Employees will be trained in good manual handling practice and encouraged to work within their capabilities, asking for assistance when needed. Regular breaks and sensible work pacing will be promoted, especially during hot or cold weather.
Chemicals, Substances and Environmental Considerations
Where garden chemicals and other substances are used, we will follow relevant safety data, product instructions and applicable regulations. Chemicals will be stored securely, used only by trained personnel and applied using appropriate protective measures to protect people, wildlife and the wider environment.
We aim to use methods and products that minimise risk to health and support a safe, sustainable approach to gardening and grounds care.
Working on Client Premises
When working on client premises, Gardeners Roehampton will take all reasonable steps to protect clients, visitors, neighbours and members of the public. Work areas will be organised to reduce risks from moving vehicles, machinery, tools, trailing cables and materials.
We will show consideration for access routes, shared spaces and local conditions, and we will coordinate with clients on any specific safety requirements, such as restricted areas or particular hazards on site.
Incidents, Emergencies and First Aid
All accidents, near misses and unsafe conditions must be reported as soon as possible so that appropriate action can be taken and lessons learned. Records of incidents will be kept and reviewed to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
Suitable first aid arrangements will be in place for work activities, including access to first aid equipment and personnel who are trained to provide basic assistance until professional help is available.
Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement
Gardeners Roehampton will monitor compliance with this Health and Safety policy through site checks, incident reviews and staff feedback. Where shortcomings are identified, corrective actions will be implemented in a timely manner.
This policy will be reviewed regularly and updated as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, industry guidance, our services or the nature of the work we undertake. The latest version of the policy will be made available to employees and clients on request.
By working together and following the principles set out in this policy, Gardeners Roehampton aims to maintain a safe, healthy and efficient environment in which our gardening services can be delivered.
