Health and Safety Policy for Gardener Lambeth

Purpose: This Health and Safety policy sets out the approach of Gardener Lambeth and affiliated gardening teams to safe working across domestic and commercial landscaping and garden maintenance. It applies to every gardener in Lambeth, contractors, and temporary staff engaged in gardening services, and is designed to reduce risk, protect people and property, and promote a culture of safety and continuous improvement.

Our aim is to deliver high-quality gardening services in Lambeth while maintaining robust safety standards. Everyone engaged in work must be familiar with this policy and with specific procedures for hazardous tasks such as tree work, use of powered equipment, chemical handling and working at height. Risk assessment and planning are central to safe garden work.

Scope: This policy covers routine mowing, pruning, planting, hedge cutting, turfing, garden clearance, and soft landscaping. It also includes contracted projects where landscaping interfaces with construction, drainage or external trades. Responsibilities apply when working on client properties, public verges and communal spaces. All staff must follow safe systems of work and report hazards promptly.

Responsibilities

Management is responsible for implementing this policy, providing resources, training and ensuring legal compliance. Supervisors must maintain site-specific risk assessments, ensure PPE is available and suitable, and confirm that plant and equipment are inspected and serviceable. Managers will monitor performance and arrange refresher training.

Each Lambeth gardener and operative must work safely, use protective equipment as required, and not undertake tasks beyond their competence. Staff should follow safe working procedures, complete toolbox talks, and cooperate with investigations into incidents. Visitors and clients should be informed of potential hazards on site.

Competence and Training

Training is provided to ensure competence in the use of chainsaws, strimmers, hedge trimmers, ride-on mowers and other powered machinery. Staff receive instruction on manual handling, ladder safety, pesticide awareness and basic first aid. Records of training and qualifications are kept and reviewed periodically.

Before starting any job, a suitable and sufficient risk assessment must be carried out. Assessments will identify hazards such as underground services, uneven ground, falling branches, chemicals, traffic and public access. Control measures will be implemented using the hierarchy of risk control: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative actions and PPE. Safe systems of work are documented for higher-risk activities.

Equipment is to be maintained and inspected regularly. Faulty tools are taken out of service. Fuel and chemical storage conforms to safety guidance and containers are correctly labelled. Spill kits and fire extinguishers are supplied where appropriate. Sharps and waste are collected and disposed of safely following environmental best practice.

Work sites are secured to protect the public and staff. Signage and barriers are used where necessary to keep pedestrians away from active works. Traffic management is planned for roadside maintenance and where contractor vehicles and plant operate. Personal protective equipment such as eye and ear protection, chainsaw trousers, gloves and hi-vis clothing are worn as required.

Incident reporting and emergency response are critical. All incidents, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported immediately. Incidents are investigated, and lessons learned are integrated into practices to prevent recurrence. First aid arrangements are maintained, and emergency contacts and procedures are available on-site. Accident records are retained for review and compliance purposes.

Subcontractors and temporary staff are required to comply with this policy and demonstrate competence. Contracts will include requirements for health and safety performance and adherence to safe working standards. The gardening company in Lambeth will monitor subcontractor performance and take action if standards fall below acceptable levels.

Continuous improvement is encouraged through regular reviews, audits and worker feedback. This policy is reviewed annually or sooner if there are changes to operations, new legislation, incidents or client requirements. Everyone has a role in maintaining a safe work environment. The aim is to provide a professional, reliable and safe gardening service across the service area while protecting the wellbeing of staff, clients and the public.