Health and Safety Policy for Gardeners East Dulwich

This Health and Safety policy sets out how Gardeners East Dulwich manages health, safety and welfare for employees, contractors, clients and members of the public. Our aim is to carry out all gardening and grounds maintenance work safely, responsibly and in full compliance with current UK health and safety legislation and relevant industry guidance.

Policy Statement

Gardeners East Dulwich is committed to providing and maintaining a safe and healthy working environment for everyone affected by our activities. We recognise that gardening and landscaping work can involve physical hazards, machinery, chemicals and changing outdoor conditions, and we will take all reasonably practicable steps to manage and reduce these risks.

Management accepts overall responsibility for health and safety performance and expects all workers to cooperate fully in implementing this policy. Safety is an integral part of planning, supervising and delivering our services across our local service area.

Roles and Responsibilities

The management team is responsible for:

Ensuring that this Health and Safety policy is implemented, maintained and periodically reviewed. Providing appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision to enable employees to work safely and competently. Supplying and maintaining safe equipment, tools and personal protective equipment. Arranging suitable risk assessments and safe systems of work for all tasks.

Employees and contractors are responsible for:

Taking reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Following all safety instructions, procedures and training provided. Using tools, machinery, vehicles and protective equipment correctly and reporting any defects immediately. Reporting accidents, incidents, near misses and hazards without delay so they can be investigated and addressed.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Before commencing gardening or landscaping work, we assess the potential hazards associated with the site and the tasks to be carried out. This includes consideration of terrain, access, traffic routes, weather conditions, manual handling needs, vegetation, wildlife, tools, machinery and any chemicals to be used.

Where significant risks are identified we implement control measures, which may include changes to working methods, use of protective equipment, restrictions on access, or scheduling work at safer times of day. Risk assessments are reviewed on a regular basis and whenever there are changes to work practices, equipment or sites.

Training, Competence and Supervision

Gardeners East Dulwich ensures that all staff receive appropriate induction and task specific training relevant to their roles. This includes safe use of hand tools, powered equipment and garden machinery, safe manual handling practices, awareness of hazardous plants, safe use of chemicals and basic first aid awareness.

Only competent and, where required, certified staff operate specialist machinery or apply professional garden chemicals. Supervision is provided in proportion to the experience of the worker and the level of risk associated with each job.

Use of Tools, Machinery and Vehicles

We are committed to maintaining all tools, machinery and vehicles in good working order. Equipment is inspected regularly, serviced at appropriate intervals and removed from use if any fault is identified. Guards, safety devices and emergency stops must never be removed or bypassed.

Staff are instructed to use each item of equipment only for its intended purpose, to follow manufacturer instructions, and to wear suitable personal protective equipment such as gloves, eye protection, hearing protection, safety boots and high visibility clothing where necessary.

Manual Handling and Physical Work

Gardening work can involve lifting, carrying, digging, bending and repetitive movements. We aim to reduce the risk of injury by planning work to minimise heavy lifting, splitting loads, using mechanical aids and team lifting where appropriate, and encouraging safe posture and lifting techniques.

Staff are encouraged to report any discomfort, pain or existing conditions that may be affected by physical work. Duties may be adjusted where reasonably practicable to support staff health and wellbeing.

Chemicals, Fertilisers and Waste

Where garden chemicals, fertilisers or treatments are used, we follow product instructions and safety information, including wearing specified protective equipment and storing products securely. Only trained and authorised personnel may handle products that require particular controls.

Green waste, soil, debris and other materials are managed to prevent risks to staff, clients and the public. We take care when handling sharp or contaminated materials and dispose of waste responsibly in accordance with legal and environmental requirements.

Public Safety and Site Management

We are committed to protecting clients, neighbours and members of the public during our work. This may involve setting up clear work zones, using cones or signage where appropriate, managing vehicle and machinery movements safely, and keeping pathways and access routes as clear as possible.

Care is taken to secure tools and materials when work is paused or completed, particularly in areas that remain accessible to the public.

Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, injuries, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported immediately to management so they can be recorded, investigated and used to improve our safe systems of work.

First aid provisions suitable for gardening sites are maintained and staff are informed of the location of first aid equipment. Emergency procedures, including responding to serious injuries, fire or hazardous chemical spills, are communicated to staff and reviewed as needed.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

Gardeners East Dulwich regularly monitors compliance with this Health and Safety policy through site checks, discussions with staff and reviews of incident reports. We are committed to continual improvement of our health and safety performance, updating our procedures in line with changes in legislation, guidance, technology and working practices.

This policy is reviewed at least annually, or sooner if there are significant changes to our operations, to ensure it remains effective, relevant and appropriate for the gardening services we provide.