Health and Safety Policy — Gardening Services Osterley

This Health and Safety policy sets out the commitment of Gardening Services Osterley and affiliated teams to protect the health, safety and welfare of staff, contractors, clients and members of the public during all garden and grounds maintenance activities. The purpose is to state clear responsibilities, promote safe working practices and ensure that risk is controlled so that our gardening work is carried out without harm. This policy applies to all operations carried out by the company and to anyone engaged to work on sites where we operate.

All employees, subcontractors and supervisors must understand their responsibilities. The company director retains overall responsibility for health and safety, while managers must ensure local compliance and implement safe systems of work. Each operative has a duty to follow safe operating procedures, use issued equipment correctly and report hazards promptly. Training and supervision will be provided, and a culture of continuous improvement is encouraged to reduce incidents and near-misses.

The scope of this policy covers a wide range of garden care services including lawn mowing, hedge trimming, tree pruning, planting, soft landscaping, hard landscaping support and seasonal maintenance across the service area. Whether described as garden services in Osterley or as local grounds maintenance, our approach remains consistent: identify hazards, assess risk, and apply proportionate control measures. Risk assessments are recorded, regularly reviewed and adapted to specific sites and client requirements.

Risk Assessment and Control Measures

Risk assessments will be carried out before work starts and when conditions change. Common hazards include moving machinery, manual handling, falls from height, hazardous substances, hot or cold weather exposures and public access to live work areas. To manage these risks we use a hierarchy of controls: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls and personal protective equipment (PPE). The following typical controls are routinely applied:

• Site-specific risk assessments and method statements.
• Barriers and signage to segregate public from work areas.
• Maintenance schedules for tools and machinery.
• Provision and use of appropriate PPE (gloves, eye protection, hearing protection and hi-vis wear).

Training and competence are central to safe delivery of gardening operations. All operatives receive induction training, job-specific instruction and periodic refresher courses. Competence checks are recorded, and only qualified staff operate specialised equipment such as chainsaws or powered shredders. We maintain clear records of training, certifications and toolbox talks. Supervision levels are risk-based and increased where tasks are complex or when working near traffic or utilities.

Equipment, Substances and Environmental Care

Equipment is inspected before use and maintained according to manufacturer guidance. Fuel and lubricants are stored safely and handled with care to prevent spills. Where chemicals such as herbicides or fertilizers are used, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health principles are followed: safe storage, use of correct dilution, application by trained staff and suitable PPE. Chemical use is kept to the minimum necessary and where practicable alternatives are considered to reduce environmental impact.

Manual handling and working at height are frequent risks in gardening. Tasks are planned to minimise lifting and awkward postures; mechanical aids and team lifts are used when appropriate. For low-level work, step ladders and safe access equipment are used in line with the company procedures. Traffic management plans are implemented for works adjacent to roads or car parks, including the use of cones, signage and trained banksmen when moving vehicles or trailers.

Incident reporting, first aid and emergency arrangements are clearly communicated to staff. All accidents, near-misses and hazardous conditions must be reported without delay so corrective action can be taken. The company maintains first aid kits, trained first aiders and clear procedures for contacting emergency services and site evacuation where necessary. Investigations of incidents focus on root causes and on preventing recurrence through practical controls and lessons learned.

Monitoring, auditing and review ensure the policy remains effective. Regular site inspections, performance checks and periodic audits are carried out and recorded. Findings are reviewed by management and used to update risk assessments, procedures and training. Safety performance indicators include incident rates, completion of inspections and the currency of training records. This helps ensure continuous improvement across all gardening operations in the area.

Suppliers and subcontractors working with Gardening Services Osterley must comply with this policy and demonstrate safe working practices. Contracts include clear expectations on health and safety, insurance and competence. Where third parties are engaged to perform specialised tasks, the company verifies qualifications and monitors works to ensure safe delivery and adherence to agreed controls.

The policy is supported by clear leadership and open communication. Staff are encouraged to raise concerns and suggest improvements. The document is reviewed at least annually and amended when necessary to reflect operational changes, new equipment or revised best practice. By committing to these principles and procedures, the company aims to deliver high-quality garden and grounds maintenance services safely and sustainably across the service area.