Health And Safety Policy

Gardeners Newington Health and Safety Policy

Gardeners Newington is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, clients, contractors, visitors and members of the public who may be affected by our gardening and grounds maintenance activities. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety across all services we provide in domestic and commercial gardens and outdoor spaces.

Policy Statement and Objectives

Our objective is to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property or the environment arising from our work. We will comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry best practice. We will provide appropriate resources, information, instruction, training and supervision to ensure that health and safety responsibilities are understood and effectively implemented at every level of our organisation.

This policy applies to all employees of Gardeners Newington, as well as subcontractors working on our behalf. We expect equal standards of health and safety from our suppliers and partners.

Management Responsibilities

Senior management is responsible for establishing, implementing and reviewing this Health and Safety Policy. Management will:

Identify and assess risks associated with gardening, landscaping and maintenance activities, including the use of machinery, tools, chemicals and vehicles.

Implement and maintain safe systems of work to control risks.

Ensure that employees are competent to perform their tasks safely through appropriate recruitment, induction and ongoing training.

Provide suitable equipment, tools and personal protective equipment that are fit for purpose and properly maintained.

Investigate all accidents, incidents and near misses to identify root causes and prevent recurrence.

Review this policy regularly and update it as necessary in response to changes in legislation, guidance, work practices or identified risks.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees of Gardeners Newington share responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment. Employees must:

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

Follow all safety procedures, instructions, training and risk assessments relevant to their work.

Use tools, machinery, vehicles and personal protective equipment in accordance with training and manufacturer guidance.

Report any hazards, defective equipment, unsafe conditions, accidents, incidents or near misses to their supervisor without delay.

Cooperate with management in the implementation of this policy and any related health and safety initiatives.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

We will carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments for all significant hazards associated with our gardening services. These assessments will consider, where relevant, tasks such as lawn care, hedge cutting, tree work, planting, waste handling, use of powered equipment, working at height and work in public or shared spaces.

Safe working procedures will be developed, documented where appropriate and communicated to staff. Control measures may include the use of personal protective equipment, restricted access areas, signage, barriers, safe storage, manual handling techniques and specific protocols for the use of chemicals and fuels.

Training, Supervision and Competence

Gardeners Newington will ensure that employees and regular subcontractors receive adequate health and safety training relevant to their roles. This includes induction training, task-specific instruction, equipment operation, manual handling, safe use of garden chemicals where applicable, and emergency procedures.

New or inexperienced staff will be supervised until they are assessed as competent to work safely with minimal oversight. Refresher training will be provided when necessary, for example when new equipment is introduced or when procedures change.

Equipment, Tools and Machinery

All gardening tools, machinery and equipment used by Gardeners Newington will be selected, maintained and inspected to ensure they are safe and suitable for the tasks undertaken. Maintenance schedules will be followed and records retained where required. Defective or damaged equipment must be taken out of service immediately and reported for repair or replacement.

Employees will receive instruction in the correct use, cleaning, storage and transportation of equipment, including mowers, trimmers, blowers, cutting tools and any specialist machinery used in landscaping work.

Use of Chemicals and Substances

Where garden chemicals or other hazardous substances are used, we will follow all applicable regulations and manufacturer guidance. Risk assessments will be completed, and control measures such as selection of lower-risk products, safe storage, correct application methods, and use of appropriate personal protective equipment will be implemented.

Only trained and authorised personnel may handle or apply such substances. Unused products and waste will be disposed of safely and responsibly.

Manual Handling and Physical Work

Gardening work often involves lifting, carrying, digging and repetitive movements. Gardeners Newington will reduce manual handling risks by using mechanical aids where practicable, planning work to minimise unnecessary lifting, and providing training in safe lifting and movement techniques.

Employees are expected to follow manual handling guidance and not to attempt tasks that exceed their physical capabilities. Any concerns about physical strain or fitness for particular tasks should be raised with a supervisor.

Working in Client Gardens and Public Areas

When working at client properties or in shared or public outdoor spaces, we will take care to protect clients, their families, pets, visitors and members of the public. This may include cordoning off work areas, using warning signs, scheduling certain activities at appropriate times, and ensuring tools and materials are stored safely and not left unattended in ways that present a hazard.

We will respect client property and take reasonable steps to prevent damage, including careful use of machinery near buildings, fences, paths, vehicles, planting schemes and garden features.

Accidents, First Aid and Emergencies

All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported promptly so that they can be recorded and investigated. Appropriate first aid provisions will be made for teams working on site. Employees will be informed of the location of first aid supplies and the arrangements for obtaining further medical assistance when required.

Emergency procedures, including responses to fire, serious injury, chemical exposure and adverse weather, will be communicated to staff. Where relevant, site-specific emergency arrangements will be agreed with clients before work begins.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

Gardeners Newington is committed to continual improvement in health and safety performance. We will monitor compliance with this policy through site checks, incident reviews and feedback from employees and clients. Lessons learned from accidents, near misses and inspections will be used to update risk assessments, procedures and training.

This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly and revised as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, work practices and the nature of the services we provide. The updated policy will be communicated to all employees and made available to clients on request.