Health and Safety Policy — Gardeners Raynes Park

Gardeners Raynes Park is committed to delivering gardening and grounds maintenance services safely and responsibly. This policy sets out the health and safety standards that apply to all operations, whether routine lawn care, planting, hedge work or wider grounds management. Our aim is to protect employees, contractors, clients and the public by reducing risk through clear procedures, training and safe equipment use.

Management retains overall responsibility for ensuring this policy is applied consistently across our service area. Line managers and team leaders are accountable for day-to-day enforcement and for maintaining records of risk assessments, training and equipment maintenance. Staff and subcontractors must follow instructions, use protective equipment and report hazards promptly so that corrective action can be taken.

We perform systematic risk assessments before starting work on any site and review them whenever conditions change. Identified risks are controlled using the hierarchy of controls and practical measures, including substitution, engineering controls and safe systems of work. Key controls include:

• Site-specific risk assessments and method statements
• Use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Regular maintenance and inspection of tools and machinery

Training, Competence and Equipment

All staff receive induction training and ongoing instruction relevant to their duties. We maintain records of qualifications for operators of powered equipment and ensure that only competent operatives use specific machinery. Garden machinery is serviced at scheduled intervals and inspected before use to prevent mechanical failures that could cause injury.

Personal protective equipment such as gloves, eye protection, high-visibility clothing and hearing protection is issued where hazards warrant it. We emphasise proper selection, fit and correct use of PPE and provide replacements where necessary. Employees are required to treat PPE as essential safety equipment and notify supervisors if replacements are needed.

Safe handling of hazardous substances, including pesticides, fertilisers and fuel, follows a clear set of controls. This includes secure storage, correct labelling, staff training in safe handling, and adherence to manufacturers' instructions. We maintain relevant safety data sheets and ensure that spill kits and first aid supplies are readily available.

Safe Working Practices and Site Controls

Working at height and manual handling are frequent tasks; we control these risks through planning, using mechanical aids and limiting loads to safe weights. Raynes Park gardeners are trained in ladder safety, correct lifting techniques and the use of lifting aids. Where work involves tree operations or elevated platforms, a specific plan and competent supervision must be in place.

Emergency procedures are documented and communicated to all staff. This includes clear instructions for dealing with incidents, contacting emergency services, and safe evacuation of sites when necessary. First aid provision is appropriate to the scale of operations and personnel are aware of the location of kits and trained first-aiders.

Incident reporting and near-miss reporting are essential. Any accident or unsafe condition must be reported immediately so that investigations can identify root causes and prevent recurrence. We record incidents, act on findings and share lessons with teams to improve practices across the gardening company.

Contractors and temporary staff engaged by Gardeners Raynes Park must be provided with site-specific information and comply with this policy. Pre-engagement checks ensure they have the necessary competence, insurance and equipment. We expect everyone working under our control to prioritise safety and cooperate with supervision and inspections.

Monitoring and review form part of our continuous improvement approach. Regular safety audits, toolbox talks and supervisory checks help to identify trends and training needs. Performance indicators, such as reduced incident rates and timeliness of equipment servicing, inform management reviews and policy updates.

Gardeners Raynes Park will periodically review this policy and its implementation to ensure it remains suitable for our evolving services. All staff are encouraged to contribute suggestions for improvement, and management will ensure adequate resources are allocated to maintain a safe working environment across our service area.

Responsibilities at a glance:

• Management: implement policy, allocate resources, ensure compliance
• Supervisors: carry out risk assessments, supervise safe work
• Workers: follow safe systems, use PPE, report hazards

The policy supports our objective to provide high-quality gardening services while maintaining a strong safety culture. By combining clear leadership, competent staff, effective controls and regular review, Gardeners Raynes Park seeks to protect people and property and deliver dependable garden care across our operating area.