Health & Safety Policy for Gardeners Greenwich

Gardeners Greenwich is committed to maintaining a safe working environment for employees, clients and the public. This policy outlines our approach to risk management, safe working practices and the responsibilities of everyone involved in the delivery of gardening services in Greenwich. The aim is to prevent injury, protect health and minimise environmental impact while delivering high-quality garden maintenance and landscaping.

Policy statement

Our organisation accepts its duty to manage health and safety proactively. All staff and contractors must work in accordance with this policy and the safe systems it describes. The company will provide the resources, training and supervision necessary to ensure that hazards are identified, controlled and continuously monitored. This policy applies to all Greenwich gardeners and associates engaged in garden care, planting, pruning, and hard landscaping operations.

Scope and responsibilities

This policy covers routine garden maintenance, tree work, use of powered equipment, pesticide and fertiliser handling, waste disposal and client-site works. Responsibilities are allocated as follows:

• Management — set standards, ensure training, provide PPE and equipment, and review policy.
• Supervisors — implement procedures, carry out risk assessments and monitor compliance.
• Operatives — follow instructions, use PPE, report hazards and participate in training.

All contractors must demonstrate competence and adhere to the company’s safety expectations.

Risk assessment and control measures

Risk assessments will be completed before work starts and updated when conditions change. Controls will follow the hierarchy: eliminate, substitute, reduce, isolate and, where residual risk remains, use personal protective equipment. Common risks include manual handling, slips and trips, falling branches, noise from machinery and exposure to chemicals. Standard controls include safe lifting methods, secure access, ground protection and noise-management strategies.

Training, supervision and competence

Staff receive induction training, task-specific instruction and refresher sessions. Training covers machinery operation, chainsaw competence where applicable, pesticide awareness, first aid, and emergency response. Supervisors will ensure that apprentices and new team members work alongside experienced operatives until competence is demonstrated. The company maintains records of qualifications and training for all garden maintenance Greenwich staff.

Plant and equipment are maintained to a high standard with pre-use checks and formal maintenance schedules. Tools are selected for their suitability and inspected regularly. Where powered tools are used, guards and safety devices must be in place. Fuel handling procedures minimise spill and ignition risks and batteries for cordless tools are charged in designated, ventilated areas. Waste arisings are handled and disposed of responsibly to prevent contamination and injury.

Safe working procedures

Safe operating procedures are established for routine tasks and higher-risk activities. These include, but are not limited to:

• Working at height protocols for ladders and mobile platforms.
• Tree work exclusion zones and banksman systems for felling and lifting operations.
• Traffic and pedestrian management at roadside or shared-access sites.

We emphasise teamwork, communication and clear task briefs so that everyone understands the plan and the controls.

Incident reporting and investigation are mandatory for all accidents, near-misses and dangerous occurrences. Reports are recorded and reviewed to identify trends and corrective measures. Where incidents result from unsafe systems or behaviours, we take proportionate action including additional training, changes to procedures and, where necessary, disciplinary measures. Learning from incidents is shared across the team to prevent recurrence.

Monitoring, review and continual improvement

The policy is reviewed at regular intervals and after significant incidents or organizational changes. Routine site inspections, toolbox talks and audits inform ongoing improvements. The company commits to allocating time and resources for audits, refresher training and equipment investment to uphold the highest safety standards. All staff are encouraged to contribute suggestions for safer ways of working.

Communication and cooperation — maintaining safety requires clear communication with clients, contractors and the public. Prior to work, the team will agree access arrangements, identify hazards specific to each site and ensure that any client-specific requirements are understood. Permits and site-specific precautions will be used where appropriate.

Health and well-being — the company recognises the importance of employee well-being. Measures to reduce fatigue, manage heat and cold exposure and support mental health are promoted. Fit-for-work checks and a culture that allows workers to report concerns without fear of reprisal underpin a safer workplace.

Gardeners Greenwich and its teams are dedicated to delivering professional, compliant and safe gardening services across the service area. This policy sets the standard for safe operations and is supported by practical procedures, training and oversight. It is the responsibility of everyone at the company to read, understand and follow these requirements to protect themselves, their colleagues and the communities they serve.