Gardeners Southborough Health and Safety Policy

Gardeners Southborough is committed to providing gardening and grounds maintenance services in a manner that protects the health, safety, and welfare of our employees, contractors, clients, visitors, and members of the public. We recognise our duty to manage risks effectively and to comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and industry best practice.

This policy sets out our approach to health and safety across all gardening activities, including domestic gardens, communal grounds, and commercial outdoor spaces.

Policy Aims

Our aims are to prevent injury and ill health, protect property and the environment, and promote a positive safety culture. We will identify hazards associated with gardening work, assess the related risks, and implement practical control measures to reduce those risks as far as reasonably possible.

We will review this policy regularly and update it when our work methods, equipment, or applicable regulations change.

Management Responsibilities

Management at Gardeners Southborough holds overall responsibility for health and safety within the company. This includes providing clear leadership, allocating adequate resources, and ensuring that safe systems of work are in place and followed.

Management will ensure that

All employees and contractors receive appropriate information, instruction, and training for the tasks they carry out.

Risk assessments are completed, documented where required, and reviewed periodically.

Accidents, incidents, and near misses are recorded, investigated, and acted upon to prevent recurrence.

Equipment is purchased, maintained, and inspected in line with manufacturer guidance and legal requirements.

Suitable personal protective equipment is provided, maintained, and replaced when necessary.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees and contractors working under the direction of Gardeners Southborough share responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment.

Every worker must

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

Use machinery, tools, and equipment only for their intended purpose and in accordance with training and instructions.

Wear and look after the personal protective equipment issued to them.

Report hazards, defects, and unsafe conditions promptly so that corrective action can be taken.

Cooperate with management to implement safety measures and attend required training.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Before starting any gardening or grounds maintenance task, we will consider the specific risks associated with the site and the work to be carried out. This may include uneven ground, slopes, steps, water features, overhead obstructions, restricted access, and the presence of the public or pets.

Where significant risks are identified, we will prepare or refer to a suitable risk assessment and implement appropriate control measures. These may include alternative work methods, segregation of work areas, or scheduling work to avoid busy times.

We will adopt safe working practices for key activities such as grass cutting, hedge trimming, tree and shrub work, planting, weed control, waste handling, and the use of powered machinery.

Use of Tools, Machinery, and Vehicles

Gardeners Southborough will ensure that all tools, machinery, and vehicles used for gardening work are suitable for the tasks undertaken and are kept in good working order.

Only competent and trained personnel may operate powered equipment such as lawn mowers, hedge trimmers, strimmers, chainsaws, blowers, and ride-on machinery. Pre-use checks will be carried out to identify defects, and any equipment found to be unsafe will be taken out of service until repaired or replaced.

We will follow guidance on guarding, start-up and shut-down procedures, refuelling, noise and vibration exposure, and safe handling to minimise risks to operators and others nearby.

Chemicals, Substances, and Environmental Care

Where the use of gardening chemicals or other substances is necessary, Gardeners Southborough will assess the associated risks and implement appropriate control measures. We will store chemicals securely, use them strictly in accordance with the manufacturer instructions, and ensure that only trained personnel handle and apply them.

We are committed to minimising environmental impact by using products responsibly, reducing waste where possible, and disposing of green waste and other materials through suitable and lawful methods.

Personal Protective Equipment

Personal protective equipment is an important part of our safety arrangements. Depending on the task and conditions, this may include protective footwear, gloves, eye and face protection, hearing protection, high-visibility clothing, respiratory protection, or weather-appropriate clothing.

Employees must use the protective equipment provided, report any damage or loss without delay, and store it correctly to ensure it remains in good condition.

Client Sites and Public Safety

When working at client properties and public spaces, Gardeners Southborough will take care to ensure the safety of clients, visitors, neighbours, and members of the public. We will plan our work areas to reduce access to moving machinery and other hazards, and we will clearly communicate any temporary restrictions or potential risks when necessary.

We will maintain good housekeeping practices by keeping pathways as clear as reasonably possible, storing tools safely when not in use, and removing waste promptly.

Training, Communication, and Consultation

Gardeners Southborough will provide appropriate induction and ongoing training to enable staff to work safely and competently. This may include instruction on specific machinery, manual handling techniques, working at height, the use of chemicals, and emergency arrangements.

We encourage open communication about health and safety. Employees will be consulted on matters that affect their safety and are encouraged to make suggestions for improvements to our practices and procedures.

Accidents, Incidents, and Emergencies

All accidents, injuries, near misses, and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management as soon as reasonably possible. We will investigate incidents to identify root causes and implement corrective actions to reduce the risk of recurrence.

Basic first aid provisions will be available during work activities, and staff will be made aware of procedures to follow in the event of an emergency, such as serious injury, fire, or the need to summon external emergency services.

Policy Review

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed at regular intervals and whenever there are significant changes to our activities, equipment, or relevant regulations. Updated versions will be communicated to all employees and contractors so that our commitment to safe working remains effective and understood.

By adhering to this policy, Gardeners Southborough aims to maintain high standards of health and safety across all gardening and grounds maintenance services delivered within our service area.