Health & Safety Policy for Garden Maintenance Earls Court

Garden Maintenance Earls Court is committed to protecting the health, safety and welfare of its employees, contractors and clients while delivering professional garden maintenance in Earls Court. This policy sets out our approach to identifying risks, controlling hazards and promoting safe working practices across all gardening and grounds care activities. The aim is to reduce incidents, prevent injuries and maintain a reliable, safe service for domestic and commercial landscaping assignments.

We emphasise a proactive safety culture where every team member is responsible for reporting hazards and participating in risk mitigation. The policy covers routine pruning, lawn care, hedge cutting, planting, waste handling and the use of powered equipment. All operatives receive induction training, and are encouraged to use appropriate personal protective equipment to maintain high standards of safety when performing Earls Court garden services.

Scope and Responsibilities

The scope includes ongoing garden upkeep, seasonal works and one-off landscaping contracts within our service area. Management will ensure that documented risk assessments are available and that safe systems of work are implemented. Supervisors will conduct regular site checks and toolbox talks to reinforce safe methods. Employees must follow instructions, attend training and report near-misses or unsafe conditions immediately. Contractors engaged for specialist tasks will be required to demonstrate their own health and safety arrangements before work starts.

Risk Assessment, Controls and Equipment Safety

We carry out dynamic and formal risk assessments for each job, considering site access, public interaction, underground services, and weather conditions that may affect safety. Controls include exclusion zones when operating machinery, use of protective guards, safe lifting techniques and secure storage of fuel and chemicals. Regular maintenance and inspection of mowers, strimmers and other powered tools is recorded to ensure they remain in safe working order. Employees must not use equipment unless trained and competent to do so.

To further protect staff and the public, our operatives use appropriate PPE such as gloves, eye protection, hearing protection and high-visibility clothing. Chemical handling for weed control or plant health treatments follows manufacturer guidance and safe handling procedures. We maintain COSHH-style records for substances used and ensure material safety information is accessible for all relevant tasks.

Emergency procedures and first aid arrangements are documented and communicated to staff. First aid kits are kept on vehicles and at main depots, and designated first aiders are available during working hours. In the event of an incident, immediate steps are taken to secure the area, provide first aid, and escalate to emergency services if necessary. Incident records are kept and reviewed to implement corrective actions that reduce recurrence.

Training and Competency

Continuous training is central to safe garden care operations. Our gardening teams undertake regular refresher courses in safe machinery operation, manual handling, ladder safety and working at heights when necessary. Supervisors ensure staff competence is assessed before assignment to complex tasks. A culture of mentorship helps less experienced operatives learn safe techniques under supervision while delivering high-quality Earls Court gardening services.

Safe working practices for site setup include signing and securing work areas, using cones or barriers where appropriate, and liaising with clients about access and hazards. Where work may affect pedestrians or road users, additional controls are applied to minimise risk. Our approach to environmental stewardship aligns with safety goals: clear waste disposal procedures, safe storage of fuels and herbicides, and measures to protect wildlife and trees during maintenance.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

Health and safety performance is monitored through regular inspections, audits and review of incident data. The policy is reviewed at least annually or sooner following a significant event or operational change. Management commits to investing in safer equipment and training improvements where these will reduce risk. Engagement with staff ensures that practical insights from the workplace feed into policy updates, strengthening our delivery of reliable garden upkeep and landscaping services in Earls Court and surrounding areas.

Summary of Key Controls

• Risk assessments for all tasks and sites
• Training and competency checks for operators
• Use of PPE and equipment maintenance schedules
• Emergency procedures and first aid provision
• Safe chemical handling and responsible waste management