Health and Safety Policy — Gardening Wallington

This policy sets out the commitment of Gardening Wallington and affiliated teams to maintain safe working conditions across all gardening services. Our landscape and garden care operations, whether routine maintenance, planting, hedge trimming or soft landscaping, are delivered with an emphasis on risk prevention, wellbeing of staff and protection of clients and the public. This policy applies to all operatives, contractors and subcontractors engaged by the company and to all sites where our Wallington gardening services are provided.

Purpose and Scope

The purpose of this health and safety statement is to define responsibilities, identify hazards, and describe control measures for on-site and depot-based activities. It aims to ensure compliance with recognised safety standards and to promote a safety culture across the business. The scope includes equipment use, manual handling, chemical handling, traffic management for on-site deliveries, and safe methods for working at height or near boundaries. Our goal is to reduce incidents and maintain continuous improvement through monitoring and training.

Responsibilities and Accountabilities

Leadership has overall responsibility for safety; supervisors and site managers have day-to-day responsibility for implementing this policy. All employees must take reasonable care for their own safety and for others affected by their actions. Key responsibilities include:

• Management: allocate resources, conduct risk assessments and ensure documented safe systems of work;
• Supervisors: ensure staff are competent, briefed and follow procedures;
• Operatives: use PPE, attend training and report hazards or incidents promptly.

Risk Assessment and Work Planning

Before any gardening job begins, a site-specific risk assessment will be completed to identify hazards such as uneven ground, overhead power lines, buried services, traffic routes and hazardous plants. Work plans will include method statements for higher-risk tasks and emergency information. Controls follow the hierarchy of risk control: eliminate, substitute, engineer, administrative measures and finally personal protective equipment. These assessments are living documents and will be reviewed when conditions change or new information arises.

Safe systems of work are maintained through job briefings, permits where required, and documented checklists. Wallington gardening teams will ensure that machinery is used only by trained personnel and that safe guarding and isolation procedures are in place. Where mechanical equipment is used — such as ride-on mowers, strimmers, chainsaws and chipper units — pre-start checks and regular maintenance records are mandatory.

Personal Protective Equipment and Equipment Maintenance

We provide appropriate PPE including high-visibility clothing, safety boots, gloves, eye and hearing protection, and chainsaw protective trousers where necessary. PPE is checked regularly and replaced as required. Tools and machinery are inspected, maintained and, where appropriate, accompanied by service records. Portable appliance testing and statutory checks for mobile equipment are observed. Unsafe equipment is taken out of service and reported immediately.

Hazardous substances such as pesticides, fertilisers and fuels are managed under safe storage and COSHH-style controls. All operators handling chemicals will be provided with instructions, safety data sheets and training in dilution, application and spill response. Waste materials are segregated and removed in line with environmental good practice; sharp objects and biodegradable waste are handled and disposed of in a manner that reduces risk to operatives and the public.

Traffic management and site access controls are essential when carrying out gardening services in residential or commercial areas. Work areas will be cordoned where necessary, and signage used to warn pedestrians and road users. Manual handling risks are minimised by mechanical aids, team lifts and proper lifting techniques. When working near boundaries or public thoroughfares, additional supervision ensures protection for passers-by and property.

Training, Incident Reporting and Continuous Improvement

Training and competence form the backbone of our safety programme. Inductions, toolbox talks, and task-specific training are delivered regularly. All incidents, near misses and unsafe conditions must be reported and investigated to identify root causes and corrective actions. Records of incidents and trends are reviewed to inform changes in procedures and training needs. The policy is reviewed at least annually or following any significant event to ensure it remains effective.

Communication and Worker Participation — Good communication underpins successful safety management. Staff are encouraged to contribute ideas to improve safety and to participate in risk assessments and reviews. Meetings and briefings are used to share lessons learned and to reinforce key elements of this policy. Contractors are required to align with company procedures and to demonstrate adequate safety arrangements before engagement.

Monitoring and enforcement — Compliance is monitored through site inspections, audits and supervisor checks. Non-compliance is addressed promptly using corrective action, additional training or disciplinary measures where necessary. Records of checks and audits are retained to demonstrate ongoing commitment and to track performance.

In summary, Gardening Wallington and associated teams are committed to protecting the health and safety of employees, clients and the public through robust planning, training, safe equipment use and active supervision. This policy establishes the framework for delivering safe gardening services and will be actively maintained to support a culture of safety and professionalism across all our gardening operations in Wallington and surrounding service areas.