Health and Safety Policy for Gardeners Colindale

Gardeners Colindale is committed to protecting the health, safety and welfare of all staff, contractors and the public affected by our gardening and grounds maintenance operations. This policy sets out the standards and practical measures that our team of Colindale gardeners and landscape operatives must follow to reduce risk, prevent injury and maintain safe working sites while providing professional garden maintenance in Colindale and nearby service areas.

We recognise our duty to provide a safe working environment and to promote a culture of safety-conscious behaviour. Every member of our gardening team is required to take reasonable care for their own safety and for the safety of others. Management will ensure that suitable equipment, information and supervision are in place and that hazards are identified and controlled before work begins.

The scope of this health and safety policy applies to lawn care, hedge trimming, planting, pruning, soft landscaping and groundskeeping Colindale services. It includes safe working procedures for hand tools, power tools, petrol and battery machinery, chemical use for approved treatments, manual handling, working near public footpaths and handling green waste. The policy emphasises risk assessment, safe systems of work and appropriate personal protective equipment.

Policy Statement and Responsibilities

Our policy is to minimise the risk of accidents and occupational ill health by identifying hazards, assessing associated risks and implementing proportionate control measures. Responsibility for health and safety is shared: directors set the standards and review performance; supervisors ensure compliance on-site; individual operatives must follow safe systems and report hazards. We expect all Colindale gardening staff to complete relevant training and to cooperate with monitoring and review processes.

All work sites should be surveyed prior to commencing activities. A written or documented dynamic risk assessment is required for each job, recording foreseeable hazards such as uneven ground, buried services, slopes, traffic, pedestrians and inclement weather. Where chemical products or pesticides are used, only authorised products will be deployed by trained staff following manufacturer guidance and with proper record-keeping. Where applicable, material safety data will be available on site.

Control measures included in this policy are: planned maintenance of equipment, use of guards and safety devices, clear exclusion zones during powered operations, strict procedures for fuel storage and refuelling, and measures to prevent slips, trips and falls. We will provide and require the use of PPE including gloves, eye protection, hearing protection, hi‑vis clothing and suitable footwear.

Training, Equipment and Safe Working

Training is essential to effective safety performance. All staff will receive induction training and ongoing instruction relevant to their role, including safe operation of mowers, chainsaws and other powered equipment, manual handling techniques and emergency procedures. Supervisors will ensure competency before allowing staff to work unsupervised. Regular toolbox talks and refresher sessions form part of our safety culture.

We maintain a planned maintenance schedule for all plant and tools; faults are reported and equipment taken out of service until repaired. A simple checklist approach supports pre-use inspections. For higher risk tasks we will employ written method statements and ensure adequate supervision. The company maintains a clear procedure for reporting accidents, near misses and hazardous conditions, enabling prompt investigation and action to prevent recurrence.

Key practical controls are listed below and form part of site briefings and daily checks:

• Carry out site-specific risk assessments before work begins
• Ensure appropriate PPE is worn and maintained
• Secure exclusion zones around powered equipment and falling object risks
• Store fuels and hazardous substances safely and labelled
• Provide first aid provisions and emergency contact procedures on site

Monitoring and review are integral to continual improvement. The company will conduct regular inspections, audit compliance and review this health and safety policy at planned intervals or following significant incidents or changes in work practices. Performance indicators such as reports of unsafe acts, near misses and completed training records will be used to measure the effectiveness of control measures.

All employees are encouraged to contribute to safer working by reporting concerns, suggesting improvements and participating in safety briefings. Disciplinary action may be considered where unsafe practices are not corrected or deliberate breaches occur. The emphasis remains on cooperation and positive engagement to maintain a safe working environment for our gardeners and clients alike.

Through consistent application of this policy, Gardeners Colindale aims to deliver quality horticultural and grounds maintenance services with minimal risk to people and property. This document is reviewed periodically and updated to reflect best practice in arboriculture, landscape management and groundskeeping, ensuring our Colindale gardening services operate to recognised safety standards.