Health & Safety Policy — Garden Maintenance Greenwich
Garden Maintenance Greenwich is committed to protecting the health, safety and welfare of our staff, clients and the public while delivering professional garden care and grounds maintenance services. This policy outlines the standards, responsibilities and practical measures we apply across our gardening services to manage risk, prevent incidents and promote safe working practices.
Our approach to safety is based on proportionate risk assessment, effective training and the promotion of a safety-first culture. All employees, contractors and visitors are expected to follow the health and safety rules and procedures that support safe delivery of landscaping, hedge cutting, lawn care, planting and routine garden maintenance tasks.
The company provides clear leadership and resources to manage hazards associated with machinery, tools, traffic management, manual handling, use of chemicals and working at height. We routinely review operations to ensure tools and equipment are fit for purpose and maintained to the highest standard for garden upkeep in Greenwich and surrounding service areas.
Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work
All jobs are subject to a documented risk assessment prior to work commencing. Assessments identify hazards (including slipping, tripping, mechanical hazards and environmental risks), determine control measures and specify safe systems of work. Where required, method statements will accompany more complex tasks such as tree works, large-scale clearance or operations that affect public access.
Control measures include:
- Provision and use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE),
- Ensuring machinery is guarded and serviced,
- Implementing exclusion zones and traffic controls on public pathways,
- Using licensed contractors for specialist tasks.
Training and competency are central to our policy. Staff must complete induction training, tool-specific instruction and refresher sessions. Supervisors assess competence and will not permit personnel to operate equipment unsupervised until they demonstrate safe practice and understanding of safety procedures.
Responsibilities, Reporting and Emergency Procedures
Everyone on site has a role in safety. Management is responsible for policy implementation, resources and ensuring compliance with industry standards. Employees must follow instructions, report hazards and participate in safety briefings. Subcontractors are required to provide evidence of their safety arrangements and work only under agreed controls.
Incident reporting is mandatory for all accidents, near misses and dangerous occurrences. Reports are investigated, records kept and corrective actions tracked to prevent recurrence. First aid arrangements and emergency contact procedures are clearly communicated to teams operating on-site.
We maintain clear evacuation and rescue plans for working at height and confined spaces often encountered during landscape projects. Equipment for spill control and fire response is available in accordance with task risk assessments, and operatives receive instruction on emergency response.
Safe use and maintenance of equipment is non-negotiable. Regular inspections, pre-use checks and prompt removal of defective tools from service are required. Where power tools and petrol-driven machinery are used, lock-out and isolation procedures are followed during servicing and blades or cutting heads are guarded to industry standards.
We manage hazardous substances by following manufacturer guidance and safe storage principles. All containers are correctly labelled and COSHH-style information is made available to staff handling pesticides, herbicides, fuels and oils. Mixing and disposal practices are designed to protect operatives and the environment.
Manual handling is assessed and minimised through mechanical aids, team lifts and safe techniques. Work planning reduces repetitive strain and fatigue, including rotating tasks and providing appropriate rest breaks during physically demanding garden maintenance activities.
Environmental protection informs our health and safety choices. We minimise pollution, control runoff and dispose of green waste responsibly. Where tree works or habitat disturbance is possible, surveys and mitigation measures are applied to preserve biodiversity and comply with environmental best practice.
Monitoring and continual improvement are delivered through regular site inspections, toolbox talks and management reviews. Performance indicators include incident frequency, audit findings and training completion rates. Results drive action plans to raise safety standards across our Greenwich garden maintenance and groundskeeping operations.
Policy review: This safety policy is reviewed annually or following a significant incident, change in equipment, work type or legal requirement. Any updates are communicated to staff and implemented without delay to maintain a reliable, safe service.
Commitment: The management of Garden Maintenance Greenwich is fully committed to achieving a safe working environment. We expect every team member to share this commitment and to contribute actively to creating safer gardens and landscapes for clients and the wider community.
This policy applies to all gardening services, including routine garden maintenance, landscaping, hedge and tree work, turfing and soft landscaping across our service area. It is part of our operational framework to ensure that quality garden care is always delivered with health and safety at the forefront.
Signed for and on behalf of the company: Management Team. Review date: annually or as required by operational change.