Health And Safety Policy

Gardeners Lewisham Health and Safety Policy

This Health and Safety policy sets out how Gardeners Lewisham manages and maintains a safe and healthy working environment for employees, subcontractors, clients, visitors, and members of the public. Our gardening and grounds maintenance work can involve physical tasks, machinery, chemicals, and outdoor conditions, so we take a proactive approach to identifying and controlling risks.

Policy Statement and Objectives

Gardeners Lewisham is committed to preventing injury and ill health arising from our work activities. We aim to provide safe systems of work, suitable equipment, adequate training, and clear information to enable all work to be carried out safely in gardens, outdoor areas, and communal grounds within our service area.

Our objectives are to:

Identify and assess foreseeable hazards associated with gardening work and related services.

Eliminate risks where reasonably practicable and otherwise reduce them to the lowest acceptable level.

Comply with applicable health and safety legislation, guidance, and industry best practice.

Promote a culture where safety, communication, and responsibility are central to daily operations.

Roles and Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for health and safety within Gardeners Lewisham rests with company management, who ensure that appropriate arrangements, resources, and supervision are in place.

Managers and team leaders are responsible for:

Implementing this policy in day-to-day operations.

Ensuring risk assessments and method statements are prepared, communicated, and followed.

Providing suitable training, instruction, and supervision.

Monitoring work practices and addressing unsafe behaviour or conditions.

All employees and subcontractors must:

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

Follow all safety instructions, training, and site rules.

Use equipment, tools, and personal protective equipment correctly.

Report accidents, incidents, near misses, and hazards to management without delay.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Before commencing work, Gardeners Lewisham will assess the risks associated with tasks such as lawn cutting, hedge trimming, tree work within our competence, planting, weed control, waste handling, and seasonal maintenance.

Where necessary, site-specific risk assessments and safe systems of work will be developed, considering factors such as terrain, access, proximity to roads and footpaths, presence of utilities, weather conditions, and any vulnerable persons nearby.

Control measures may include cordoning off work areas, using signage, scheduling works to avoid busy times, implementing traffic and pedestrian management, and employing appropriate manual handling techniques.

Training, Competence, and Supervision

Gardeners Lewisham ensures that staff are competent to carry out their duties safely. Training may cover tool and machinery operation, manual handling, working at height, safe use of chemicals, emergency response, and general site safety.

New staff receive an induction that explains this policy, company procedures, and the specific risks associated with gardening and grounds maintenance. Ongoing supervision and refresher training are provided where necessary, and specialist tasks are only undertaken by personnel who have the appropriate skills and qualifications.

Use of Tools, Machinery, and Vehicles

All tools, machinery, and vehicles used by Gardeners Lewisham must be suitable for the task, properly maintained, and inspected regularly. Faulty or damaged equipment must be taken out of use immediately and reported to management.

Only trained and authorised staff may operate powered equipment such as lawnmowers, hedge trimmers, brush cutters, blowers, chippers, and any vehicles used to transport staff, tools, or green waste. Manufacturer instructions must be followed at all times, and guards, safety devices, and controls must never be overridden or removed.

Personal Protective Equipment

Personal protective equipment will be provided where necessary, based on the findings of risk assessments. This may include safety footwear, gloves, eye and face protection, hearing protection, high-visibility clothing, respiratory protection, and weather-appropriate clothing.

Staff are required to wear the PPE issued to them whenever specified and to look after it, reporting any loss or damage so that it can be replaced promptly.

Chemicals, Substances, and Environmental Protection

When using gardening products such as fertilisers, pesticides, or other chemicals, Gardeners Lewisham follows safe handling procedures and relevant control of substances requirements. Only products approved for their intended use are selected, and application is carried out strictly in accordance with the manufacturer guidance.

Where possible, lower-risk or non-chemical alternatives are considered. Storage and transport of chemicals are organised to prevent leaks, spills, and unauthorised access, and particular care is taken near water features, drains, and wildlife habitats.

Working at Height and Tree Work

Tasks involving ladders, access equipment, or work above ground level are carefully planned and risk assessed. Only competent personnel use ladders and other access equipment, which must be inspected and used on suitable, stable surfaces.

Tree work is limited to the level of competence, training, and equipment held within Gardeners Lewisham. More complex or high-risk tree work may be referred to suitably qualified specialists.

Manual Handling and Musculoskeletal Health

Gardening can involve lifting, carrying, bending, and repetitive movements. Gardeners Lewisham seeks to reduce manual handling risks by using mechanical aids where possible, planning jobs to minimise unnecessary lifting, and encouraging safe techniques.

Staff are instructed to avoid lifting loads that are too heavy or awkward, to seek assistance when needed, and to take regular breaks where tasks are physically demanding.

Public, Client, and Property Safety

We recognise our responsibility to protect clients, visitors, neighbours, and members of the public during gardening work. Work areas may be cordoned off or signed to warn of hazards such as moving machinery, debris, or slippery surfaces.

Care is taken to prevent damage to property, vehicles, and garden features. Tools and materials are kept tidy and under control to reduce the risk of trips, falls, or unauthorised interference.

Accidents, Incidents, and Emergencies

All accidents, incidents, and near misses must be reported to management as soon as practicable. Gardeners Lewisham keeps records of incidents, investigates causes, and uses findings to improve procedures and prevent recurrence.

First aid arrangements are in place, and staff are made aware of how to access first aid supplies and assistance. Emergency procedures, including how to respond to serious injury, fire, chemical spills, and adverse weather, are communicated to staff and reviewed as necessary.

Monitoring, Review, and Continuous Improvement

Gardeners Lewisham monitors health and safety performance through inspections, feedback, and incident analysis. This Health and Safety policy is reviewed regularly and updated whenever there are significant changes to legislation, company operations, or identified risks.

We encourage all staff and clients to raise concerns, suggest improvements, and participate in maintaining a safe and healthy environment in every garden and outdoor space where we work.