Health and Safety Policy — Garden Maintenance Seven Sisters

This policy sets out the commitment of Garden Maintenance Seven Sisters and associated gardening teams to maintain safe working environments while delivering professional garden care across our service area. It applies to everyone involved in providing gardening services Seven Sisters, including employees, contractors and subcontractors. The purpose is to minimise risk of injury or property damage, ensure safe use of tools and chemicals, and promote a culture of safety and responsibility on every job, whether routine lawn care, planting schemes or hard landscaping maintenance.

Our approach to safety combines clear responsibilities, ongoing training and systematic risk management. The responsibilities of management, supervisors and operatives are defined so that each person understands their role in preventing accidents. Staff are expected to follow safe working practices, report hazards promptly and use personal protective equipment consistently. Management will ensure adequate resources and oversight are provided to meet these obligations and to support safe garden maintenance operations across the neighbourhoods we serve.

Key principles underpinning our health and safety policy include risk assessment, hazard control, safe equipment use and regular review. We emphasise proactive measures: completing site-specific assessments before work starts, planning tasks to reduce exposure to hazards, and ensuring correct selection, use and maintenance of tools and machinery. The policy covers common gardening hazards such as manual handling, slips and trips, vehicle and pedestrian interactions, use of powered equipment, and safe handling of horticultural substances.

Risk assessments are completed for every major activity. Assessments identify who might be harmed and how, evaluate the level of risk, and set out control measures to eliminate or reduce those risks. Controls include substitution of hazardous substances where possible, use of guards and safety features on machines, safe systems of work, and implementing exclusion zones around operating equipment. All findings are recorded and reviewed when work conditions change or new hazards are identified.

Personal protective equipment is provided where risks remain after other controls are implemented. Staff are required to wear appropriate PPE such as high-visibility clothing, safety footwear, eye protection, hearing protection and gloves as relevant to the task. Training ensures correct fit, use and storage of PPE. The organisation will replace worn or damaged items promptly and monitor compliance during site visits and routine supervision.

Equipment and machinery are subject to a planned maintenance regime. Machines are inspected before use and faults are reported using the internal defect reporting process. Where powered tools or petrol-driven equipment are used, operators must be trained and competent. Battery-powered and hand tools are preferred where practicable to reduce noise and vibration exposure. Records of maintenance, inspections and operator checks are maintained centrally.

Safe Handling of Substances and Waste

We manage chemicals and plant protection products in accordance with manufacturers' instructions and industry best practice. Where hazardous substances are used, Control of Substances measures include COSHH-style assessments, secure storage, correct dosing, and safe disposal of containers. Staff receive instruction on product labels, safety data sheets and spill response procedures. Waste management protocols ensure green waste and other materials are handled and disposed of responsibly to prevent environmental harm.

Working Alone and Emergency Procedures

Lone working risks are assessed and managed through check-in procedures, communication devices and clear escalation routes. For all operations, emergency arrangements are in place: first-aid provision, procedures for contacting emergency services, and training on what to do if an incident occurs. Incidents and near misses are recorded, investigated and used to improve controls and reduce future risk.

Training and competence are central to reducing risk. Induction, job-specific instruction and refresher training cover safe use of equipment, manual handling techniques, chemical safety, and traffic management when working near roads or driveways. Training records are maintained and competency checks carried out periodically to ensure standards are met.

Operational controls extend to client properties where we carry out garden maintenance and landscaping. Before work commences, operatives check site access, identify hazards such as overhead cables and buried services, and agree safe working zones with residents or site contacts. The policy emphasises respect for private property, careful storage of materials to avoid trip hazards, and minimising disturbance while maintaining safety standards during all gardening services.

Monitoring, audit and continual improvement are conducted through regular safety inspections, toolbox talks and management reviews. Risks are reassessed following any change in equipment, methods or the nature of work. We maintain a programme of internal audits to verify compliance and to ensure corrective actions are implemented promptly. Policy performance is measured using key safety indicators, which inform future training and operational adjustments.

The organisation commits to consult with employees on health and safety matters, encouraging open communication about hazards and suggestions for improvement. Everyone is empowered to stop work where serious risk is present and to seek assistance. This policy will be reviewed annually, or sooner if significant changes occur, to ensure it remains appropriate and effective for the scale and range of services offered by Garden Maintenance Seven Sisters and allied gardening teams operating in the service area.

Policy approvals and responsibilities: Senior management endorse this policy and allocate responsibility for its implementation to designated safety leads. Supervisors are accountable for enforcing safe working practices on site. Employees must comply with policy requirements as a condition of employment and report unsafe conditions without delay.

Summary: This Health and Safety Policy for garden care and garden maintenance services sets out the measures we take to protect people, property and the environment while delivering quality landscaping and maintenance work across our operating area.

Review: The policy will be maintained as a living document and updated to reflect operational changes, new legislation and lessons learned from incidents, ensuring ongoing protection for staff and clients alike.