Health and Safety Policy for Gardening Services Lewisham
Our company is committed to providing safe, reliable and professional gardening services Lewisham for domestic and commercial clients across the service area. This Health and Safety Policy sets out the standards and procedures we adopt to protect our staff, clients, visitors and the public while carrying out garden maintenance, landscaping and groundskeeping work. The policy applies to all employees, contractors and temporary workers engaged in delivering our garden care and grounds maintenance services.
Scope: This policy covers routine garden maintenance, hedge trimming, lawn care, planting, pruning, hard landscaping support, waste handling and any work using powered garden equipment. It applies to work on private properties, communal spaces and other sites where our gardening teams operate. The aim is to minimise risk and ensure consistent safe systems of work across all Lewisham gardening services and related operations.
Responsibilities
Management is responsible for providing a safe working environment, ensuring appropriate equipment, organising training and supervising adherence to safe working practices. Managers will ensure risk assessments are completed for tasks and that controls are implemented and reviewed. All members of the team must follow this policy and report hazards, near misses and incidents promptly.
Employees and operatives delivering garden maintenance Lewisham must take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. Staff must use personal protective equipment (PPE) provided, follow method statements and safe operating procedures, and avoid working when fatigue, impairment or unsafe conditions exist. The following responsibilities are emphasised:
Key duties include:
- Participate in risk assessments and follow identified controls.
- Use PPE correctly: gloves, eye protection, hearing protection, boots and hi-vis where required.
- Operate machinery only when trained and authorised.
- Report defects, hazards and accidents immediately.
Risk Assessment and Control Measures
Safe Working Practices
Risk assessments will be carried out before work begins and when conditions change. Control measures include job-specific method statements, permit-to-work arrangements for high-risk tasks, and clear exclusion zones for powered equipment. The following control areas receive particular attention:
Equipment and machinery: All powered tools and machines will be maintained, inspected and tested in line with manufacturers’ guidance. Only trained personnel will operate ride-on mowers, chainsaws, strimmers and shredders. Guards and safety devices must remain in place; defective equipment should be taken out of service until repaired.
COSHH and chemical safety: Pesticides, herbicides and fuels are managed under safe storage and usage procedures. Material Safety Data Sheets are available and staff receive instruction on safe mixing, application and spill response. Use of chemicals is minimised where possible and substitutes employed to reduce hazard exposure.
Manual handling and ergonomics: Tasks are planned to reduce lifting and repetitive strain, with two-person lifts and mechanical aids used where practical. Training in safe lifting techniques and posture is provided as part of the induction and refresher training for all gardening operatives and landscaping crews.
Working at height and near traffic: Where tasks require working from steps, ladders or mobile elevating platforms, an assessment is completed and appropriate equipment and fall protection provided. Work near roads or on public pathways follows traffic management plans and uses cones, signs and high-visibility clothing to protect both staff and the public. For tree work and higher-level pruning, contractor competence and industry-recognised safe systems of work are enforced.
Biological and environmental hazards: Staff are briefed on risks from pollen, invasive plants, animal waste and potential sharps. Procedures cover safe handling and disposal, and vaccinations or medical advice where relevant. Waste management policy ensures green waste is removed and processed correctly to avoid contamination and pest attraction.
Emergency procedures, incident reporting and first aid: Each worksite includes emergency contact arrangements and access to first aid kits. All injuries, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported immediately and recorded. Management will investigate incidents to identify root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
Training, monitoring and continual improvement: Staff receive induction training on this policy, equipment operation, COSHH, manual handling and site-specific hazards. Regular toolbox talks, refresher sessions and competency checks are scheduled. We conduct audits and inspections to monitor compliance and update procedures in response to changes in work activities, technology or legislation.
