Health and Safety Policy — Gardening Queens Park

This Health and Safety Policy sets out the approach of Gardening Queens Park to managing risks, protecting staff, clients and the public, and providing safe gardening services in Queens Park and adjacent neighbourhoods. The policy applies to all operational activities including routine garden maintenance, soft landscaping, hedge and tree care, and seasonal works. Our aim is to deliver professional landscaping and garden care while keeping safety central to every job, ensuring that every member of the team understands their duties and works to a consistent standard.

Scope and application: this policy covers all employees, contractors and subcontractors engaged by the company. It applies to work on private gardens, communal courtyards, small commercial grounds and any site where our Queens Park gardening teams operate. The policy is designed to be practical and proportionate, focusing on preventing injury and illness, and promoting a culture of continuous improvement through training, supervision and risk awareness.

Responsibilities: The company director takes overall responsibility for health and safety. Managers and team leaders must ensure safe systems of work are in place and that staff receive appropriate instruction, information and training. Each worker has a duty to take reasonable care of their own safety and that of others, to follow safe working procedures, and to report hazards or near misses promptly. We encourage a collaborative approach where staff can raise concerns without fear of reprisal.

Risk assessment and method statements are central to our practice. Before work starts, a site-specific assessment is completed to identify hazards such as uneven ground, buried services, traffic, tools and machinery use, manual handling and use of chemicals. Control measures are recorded and implemented. Typical Queens Park gardening hazards include slips and trips on damp surfaces, puncture injuries from garden waste, entanglement with mowers or trimmers, and exposure to allergens or pesticides.

Training and competence: all operatives receive induction training covering the policy, emergency procedures, and safe use of equipment. We provide periodic refresher training and task-specific instruction for chainsaws, ride-on mowers, and powered tools. Staff are assessed for competence and assigned tasks accordingly. Continuous learning is encouraged through toolbox talks and on-site coaching to reinforce safe behaviours.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and clothing: appropriate PPE is supplied and must be worn where required. This includes gloves, eye protection, hearing protection, hi-visibility clothing, safety boots and chainsaw chaps where relevant. The company maintains equipment records and ensures PPE is replaced or repaired when defective. Employees are responsible for wearing issued PPE and reporting any problems.

Safe use of machinery and tools: all powered equipment used by our Queens Park gardeners is maintained according to manufacturer guidance and inspected regularly. Operators must follow safe operating procedures and never use defective tools. Fueling and maintenance are carried out in well-ventilated areas, away from ignition sources, and spill kits are available. Lock-out procedures are used to isolate machinery during maintenance.

Hazardous substances: when herbicides, pesticides or fertilizers are necessary, we use the least harmful products available and follow label instructions. COSHH-type controls are applied: risk assessment, secure storage, correct dilution and application methods, and safe disposal of containers. Staff handling chemicals receive training and access to safety data sheets. The company strictly prohibits unauthorized use of solvents or unapproved substances on customer sites.

Manual handling, working at heights and lone working

Manual handling risks are reduced through mechanical aids, team lifts and planned routes for carrying materials. For tasks requiring the use of ladders or working at height, risk assessments and appropriate fall control measures are implemented; alternatives such as mobile elevating platforms are used where practical. Lone working protocols are in place for staff operating at remote locations: check-in systems, mobile means of contact and emergency response arrangements are maintained.

Emergency procedures and first aid

We maintain first aid kits across our teams and ensure trained first-aiders are available on-site. Emergency procedures for incidents such as serious injury, fire or hazardous spills are documented and communicated. Incidents are recorded, investigated and corrective actions implemented to prevent recurrence. In the event of a medical emergency, lifesaving priorities are followed while awaiting emergency services.

Reporting and monitoring: all accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported immediately. The company reviews records to identify trends and acts to improve controls. Regular site inspections and audits are carried out to check compliance. Performance indicators such as incident rates, training completion and toolbox talk frequency are tracked to measure effectiveness of the safety management system.

Policy review and continual improvement: this Health and Safety Policy is reviewed at least annually and updated when significant changes occur in operations, equipment or legislation. Staff input is sought as part of continual improvement. By embedding these standards into all gardening operations, Gardening Queens Park commits to delivering high-quality grounds maintenance and landscaping services while protecting people and property.