Health & Safety Policy — Gardening Chessington

Purpose: This Health and Safety policy sets out the approach adopted by our Gardening Chessington team to protect employees, clients and the public while delivering professional garden maintenance and landscaping services. We prioritise safe working practices, clear responsibilities and continuous improvement to reduce risk across all gardening operations. Safety is integral to every contract, from routine lawn care to complex shrub pruning.

Scope: This policy covers the full range of services provided by our gardeners in Chessington and surrounding service areas, including planting, hedge cutting, turfing, pruning, site clearance and use of powered equipment. It applies to all staff, subcontractors and visitors while on company projects. The document outlines safe systems of work, required equipment standards and the expectations placed on personnel to follow safe procedures.

Commitment and Objectives

Our objectives are to: reduce incidents and near misses, ensure competent delivery of Chessington gardening services, maintain safe working environments and meet industry best practice. We commit to providing training, supervision and the necessary resources so that hazards are identified and controlled before work begins. Regular reviews will identify opportunities to enhance our safety culture and operational resilience.

Management responsibilities include risk assessment, maintaining equipment, appointing competent staff and ensuring safe systems of work are implemented. All managers and supervisors must lead by example and ensure that toolbox talks, site inductions and records are carried out. Employees must follow instructions, use personal protective equipment and report hazards without delay; team safety depends on shared vigilance.

Risk Assessment and Control

Before starting any task, a documented risk assessment must be completed that identifies potential hazards (e.g. slips, manual handling, machinery, electrical equipment, chemicals). Controls will be applied following the hierarchy of control: elimination, substitution, engineering, administrative controls and PPE. Where applicable, COSHH precautions will be followed for fertilizers, pesticides and cleaning agents used during garden maintenance.

• Safe equipment use: Only trained personnel may operate ride-on mowers, chainsaws and shredders; machinery must be inspected daily.
• PPE: Hard hats, eye protection, gloves, high-visibility clothing and hearing protection must be worn when required.
• Manual handling: Use mechanical aids and team lifts for heavy items to prevent musculoskeletal injuries.
• Traffic management: When working near roadways, barriers and signage will be used to protect workers and the public.

We ensure that every member of staff engaged in gardening and landscaping is competent for their role. This includes induction training, task-specific instruction, refresher courses and accredited qualifications for specialist equipment. Supervision levels are determined by task complexity and worker experience. Clear communication channels and reporting lines are maintained so that safety information flows promptly between managers, operatives and clients.

Incident reporting and investigation are mandatory for all accidents, near misses and unsafe conditions. Incidents are recorded, investigated and analysed to identify root causes and corrective actions. Lessons learned are shared with teams to prevent recurrence. Where appropriate, remedial training or changes to procedures will be implemented and monitored for effectiveness.

Monitoring and continuous improvement: Our gardening company conducts regular audits, site inspections and performance reviews to measure compliance with this policy. Key performance indicators include accident frequency, completion of risk assessments, equipment maintenance records and training uptake. Management will review the policy at least annually or after significant changes to operations to ensure ongoing relevance and effectiveness.

Emergency procedures: Clear plans are in place for first aid, fire, extreme weather and other emergencies that may arise during garden works. Appointed first-aiders and suitable first-aid kits are provided on site. Communication devices and escalation routes are maintained so that help can be summoned quickly and efficiently.

Waste handling and environmental considerations: Waste materials and green waste will be handled in a manner that minimises environmental impact and complies with waste duty of care principles. Fuel and oil storage, spill kits and safe refuelling procedures reduce pollution risk during site operations. Our gardening services in Chessington emphasise sustainability alongside safety.

Policy review and adoption: This Health & Safety policy is endorsed by senior management and forms part of our operational standards. All employees are required to familiarise themselves with its contents and to contribute actively to a safe working environment. Non-compliance will be addressed through corrective action, retraining or disciplinary measures where necessary. Together, through shared responsibility and ongoing diligence, we deliver safe, reliable and professional garden services.