Health and Safety Policy — Gardening Stoke Newington

This Health and Safety Policy outlines the commitment of our Stoke Newington gardening team to maintain a safe working environment for staff, clients and the public. It applies to all gardening activities carried out by our gardeners in Stoke Newington and to any subcontractors we engage. The policy is designed to be practical and proportionate to the tasks common to local gardening services while reflecting industry best practice in risk management and safe systems of work.

Our priority is to prevent incidents through proactive planning, competent supervision and continuous improvement. Scope covers routine garden maintenance, planting, hedge and shrub management, tree work of a low to moderate height (carried out by competent personnel), lawn care, waste handling and use of hand tools and powered equipment typical for a small urban gardening company. The policy also recognises the need to protect members of the public and clients’ property during operations.

Implementation relies on clear accountability, documented risk assessments, safe operating procedures and adequate training. This statement confirms that the business will allocate sufficient resources to carry out the policy and expects every member of the team to co-operate in its application. Regular review ensures the policy stays relevant to changing work types and equipment used by local gardening services in Stoke Newington.

Management responsibility: managers and supervisors will ensure that safe systems are developed, communicated and monitored. They will appoint competent personnel for supervisory duties and ensure that all employees are inducted and familiar with site-specific hazards before commencing work. Managers will also ensure that records of risk assessments, training and maintenance checks are maintained.

Worker responsibility: each gardener must take reasonable care for their own health and safety and for others who may be affected by their actions. Staff must follow safe working procedures, use issued personal protective equipment, report hazards, near-misses and incidents promptly, and participate in assessments and training when required. Our gardeners Stoke Newington crew is encouraged to contribute observations to help improve safety performance.

Subcontractors: any third-party contractor working on behalf of the business must demonstrate equivalent health and safety standards, provide evidence of competency where required and co-ordinate with on-site staff to manage hazards. Strong communication between client, contractor and our team reduces the risk of misunderstandings that can lead to unsafe conditions.

Risk assessments will be completed for routine and non-routine tasks and recorded. Assessments will identify hazards such as manual handling, slips, trips and falls, contact with plants (allergenic or thorny species), use of powered equipment and exposure to chemicals. Controls will be proportionate: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, safe systems and personal protective equipment as the last line of defence.

Training and competence are core controls: new staff receive induction training that covers local procedures, hazard recognition and emergency arrangements; ongoing training covers safe use of machinery, lone working risks, manual handling techniques and correct use of PPE. Training records will be kept and refreshed at intervals appropriate to the tasks. The following protective items are examples and should be provided when relevant:

• Sturdy gloves for hand protection
• Safety boots with toecaps
• High-visibility clothing when working near roads or in shared public spaces
• Hearing protection and eye protection for powered equipment

Equipment, maintenance and chemical safety: all powered tools and machinery will be subject to pre-use checks and routine maintenance. Defective equipment will be removed from service until repaired. Chemicals and pesticides, when used, will be handled according to manufacturer instructions: the least hazardous product appropriate for the task will be chosen and stored safely, with clear labelling and secure storage to prevent accidental access.

Emergency procedures and first aid: the policy requires that at least one qualified first aider is available for each work team when practicable, and that a first-aid kit is maintained on-site. Emergency arrangements, including access for emergency services and procedures for dealing with severe injuries, chemical exposure or major incidents, will be communicated to staff and clients where relevant. Incident reporting and investigation are mandatory to identify root causes and prevent recurrence.

Monitoring, review and continuous improvement: the policy will be reviewed at regular intervals and after any significant incident, change of working practice or new equipment introduction. Management will monitor compliance through toolbox talks, site checks and audits. Performance indicators such as incident frequency, near-miss reports and training completion will be used to guide improvements. Every member of the garden team is expected to adopt a proactive safety mindset.

Final note: This health and safety policy sets out the principles and practical steps our gardening company follows in the Stoke Newington service area to protect people and property. By combining clear responsibilities, documented assessments, appropriate training and good communication, our aim is to deliver quality garden care services while keeping health and safety central to everything we do.