Health and Safety Policy for Gardeners Shooters Hill

Gardeners Shooters Hill is committed to providing gardening services in a manner that protects the health, safety and welfare of our employees, clients, contractors, visitors and members of the public. This policy sets out our approach to managing health and safety, and applies to all gardening and grounds maintenance activities carried out by our team.

We recognise our responsibilities under relevant health and safety legislation and industry best practice. Our aim is to prevent accidents, injuries, work-related ill health and damage to property, while maintaining high standards of workmanship in all gardens and outdoor spaces we care for.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

Our key objectives are to:

Identify, assess and control risks arising from our gardening activities, including the use of machinery, tools, vehicles, chemicals and access equipment.

Provide and maintain safe equipment, plant and vehicles in efficient working order.

Ensure all staff receive appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision to carry out their work safely and competently.

Promote a positive health and safety culture where everyone understands their responsibilities and is encouraged to report hazards and suggest improvements.

Minimise the impact of our work on neighbours, passers-by and other third parties in the areas where we operate.

Management Responsibilities

The management of Gardeners Shooters Hill has overall responsibility for implementing this Health and Safety Policy and for ensuring adequate resources are made available to meet our health and safety commitments.

Management will:

Regularly review risk assessments for gardening tasks and update them when there are changes in work methods, equipment, or locations.

Ensure that all tools, machinery and vehicles used in the course of our work are suitable, maintained, inspected and serviced at appropriate intervals.

Provide appropriate personal protective equipment and make sure it is used, stored and replaced as necessary.

Make sure all employees receive suitable training, refresher training and instructions specific to their roles, equipment and the environments in which they work.

Investigate incidents, accidents, near misses and complaints to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.

Keep records relating to health and safety management, including training, inspections, servicing and incident reports.

Employee Responsibilities

Every employee of Gardeners Shooters Hill has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work.

Employees must:

Follow all health and safety procedures, safe systems of work and instructions provided by management and supervisors.

Use machinery, tools, vehicles and chemicals only for their intended purpose and in accordance with their training.

Wear and correctly use any personal protective equipment they have been issued, such as gloves, safety footwear, eye protection, hearing protection and high-visibility clothing.

Report any hazards, unsafe conditions, defective equipment, accidents or near misses without delay so that appropriate action can be taken.

Refrain from horseplay, misuse of equipment or any behaviour that may put themselves or others at risk.

Cooperate fully with investigations, audits, inspections and any medical or occupational health assessments deemed necessary.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Before commencing work at any garden or outdoor site, an assessment of the key hazards and risks will be undertaken. This may include, but is not limited to:

Condition and gradient of lawns, paths and access routes.

Presence of overhead power lines, underground services or water features.

Traffic movement, parking and safe unloading of equipment.

Public access areas, neighbours and nearby properties.

Weather conditions, lighting and seasonal factors that may affect safety.

Based on the risk assessment, appropriate control measures and safe systems of work will be implemented. These may include cordoning off work areas, scheduling noisy or disruptive tasks at suitable times, and adapting methods to suit each specific garden or site.

Use of Machinery, Tools and Chemicals

All powered machinery and hand tools used in gardening work will be:

Selected to be suitable for the intended task and environment.

Used only by trained and competent personnel.

Inspected before use and regularly maintained.

Stored securely to prevent unauthorised use or access, especially by children or members of the public.

Chemicals, including fertilisers, weed killers and pest control products, will be used only where necessary and strictly in accordance with manufacturer instructions and relevant safety guidance. Suitable protective clothing will be worn, and products will be stored, transported and disposed of safely to minimise risks to people, pets, wildlife and the wider environment.

Manual Handling and Physical Wellbeing

Gardening work often involves lifting, carrying, bending and repetitive movements. To reduce the risk of strains and injuries, we will:

Provide training in safe lifting and handling techniques.

Use mechanical aids, wheelbarrows or team lifting for heavy or awkward loads where practicable.

Plan work to avoid unnecessary manual handling and to rotate tasks where possible.

Encourage staff to work at a steady, safe pace and to take appropriate rest breaks.

Working Around Clients and the Public

Our teams often work in residential gardens and shared outdoor spaces where clients, visitors, neighbours and passers-by may be present. We will:

Set up work areas safely to minimise risks to third parties.

Maintain clear communication with clients about planned activities that may affect access, noise levels or temporary hazards.

Stop work immediately if an activity becomes unsafe due to the presence of people, pets or unexpected obstacles and only resume when it is safe to do so.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy will be monitored on an ongoing basis and formally reviewed at regular intervals, and whenever there are significant changes in our work activities, equipment or applicable legislation.

Feedback from employees, clients and others will be considered when improving our health and safety arrangements. By working together and maintaining a proactive approach, Gardeners Shooters Hill aims to provide a safe and healthy working environment across all gardens and outdoor spaces we serve.