Health and Safety Policy
Gardeners Maida Vale is committed to providing gardening and grounds maintenance services in a safe and responsible way. We aim to protect the health and safety of our employees, clients, visitors, contractors, and members of the public who may be affected by our work. This policy applies to all gardening services we provide, including routine maintenance, planting, pruning, lawn care, hedge trimming, seasonal tidy-ups, and related outdoor tasks.
Our commitment
We will take reasonable and practical steps to prevent accidents, injuries, and work-related ill health. Safety is considered in planning, execution, and review of all work. We will identify hazards, assess the risks involved, and put suitable control measures in place before work begins. Where a task cannot be completed safely, it will be stopped until the risk is reduced to an acceptable level.
Responsibilities
Management is responsible for ensuring that this policy is implemented, communicated, and reviewed regularly. Supervisors and team leaders must make sure that safe working methods are followed, equipment is suitable for the task, and staff understand the risks involved. Every worker is expected to take reasonable care of their own safety and the safety of others, to use equipment correctly, and to report hazards, accidents, or unsafe conditions without delay.
Risk assessment and safe systems of work
Before work starts, we assess the site and the tasks to be completed. This includes checking for uneven ground, wet surfaces, trip hazards, sharp objects, overhead obstacles, restricted access, traffic movement, electrical hazards, wildlife risks, and the presence of vulnerable plants or structures. We also consider weather conditions, as extreme heat, high winds, frost, or heavy rain may make outdoor work unsafe. Safe systems of work are used to reduce risk, and task plans may be changed to reflect conditions on the day.
Training and competence
Our staff receive instruction and guidance relevant to their duties. This includes safe lifting and handling, correct use of hand tools and powered equipment, working at height where relevant, plant care chemicals awareness, personal protective equipment, and emergency procedures. Only competent and authorised workers may operate machinery or carry out higher-risk tasks. Additional training is provided when new equipment, new procedures, or new risks are introduced.
Equipment and personal protective equipment
All tools, machinery, and equipment must be suitable for the task, maintained in good condition, and checked before use. Defective equipment is removed from service until repaired or replaced. Personal protective equipment is used where required, including gloves, safety footwear, eye protection, hearing protection, and other items appropriate to the job. PPE does not replace safe working methods, but it is an important additional control measure.
Safe handling of materials and substances
We store, transport, and use materials carefully to avoid contamination, spills, or harm to people, animals, and the environment. This includes fertilisers, composts, fuels, and any plant treatment products that may be used as part of a service. Substances are handled in line with their instructions and are never mixed or applied unsafely. Waste is collected and disposed of responsibly, and work areas are left tidy at the end of each visit.
Working on client premises
When working in private gardens, communal areas, or managed outdoor spaces, we respect the client’s property and follow any reasonable site rules or access arrangements. We will take care to protect lawns, paths, borders, structures, and fixtures while carrying out our work. If we identify a hazard on site, we will notify the client where appropriate and may postpone or adapt the work until it is safe to proceed.
Incidents, emergencies, and review
All accidents, near misses, injuries, and unsafe situations must be reported and recorded. First aid arrangements are kept available and suitable for the nature of our work. In the event of an emergency, staff are expected to respond calmly, follow the relevant procedure, and seek assistance if needed. This policy is reviewed regularly to make sure it remains effective, current, and suitable for the services we provide.
Gardeners Maida Vale expects everyone involved in our work to support a positive safety culture. By working carefully, communicating clearly, and following this policy, we help ensure that our gardening services are delivered safely, reliably, and professionally.
