Health & Safety Policy — Gardeners Lambeth

Gardeners Lambeth is committed to maintaining a safe working environment for staff, clients and the public. This policy sets out the principles and practical measures by which the gardening company in Lambeth and its teams manage risk, prevent harm and promote a safety-first culture. The purpose is to ensure that everyone involved in gardening operations understands responsibilities and the controls we apply to protect health and safety across all sites and gardens we care for.

Scope: This policy applies to all employees, contractors and temporary workers engaged by Gardeners in Lambeth for landscape maintenance, garden design, planting, hedge cutting, lawn care and related work. It covers routine tasks and non-routine activities such as tree work, pesticide application and working close to traffic. Key responsibilities are allocated below to ensure clear lines of accountability and compliance with recognised safe working standards.

Responsibilities and Accountability

Line managers and supervisors are responsible for risk assessment, ensuring staff receive suitable training, and supervising safe systems of work. Staff must follow instructions, report hazards and use equipment correctly. Directors retain overall responsibility for resourcing safety arrangements and for regular review. Specific duties include:

• Managers: ensure risk assessments and method statements are in place;
• Operatives: wear required PPE and complete pre-start equipment checks;
• All staff: report incidents and cooperate with investigations.

Risk assessment and planning underpin safe operations. Before starting any task the team will carry out a dynamic risk assessment that identifies foreseeable hazards such as uneven ground, exposed services, traffic flow, overhead lines and the presence of members of the public. Controls are selected to reduce risk to an acceptable level, relying on elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative measures and where necessary PPE. Regular toolbox talks and pre-shift briefings reinforce safe behaviours.

Equipment, Tools and Machinery

All powered equipment, hand tools and machinery used by Lambeth gardeners are maintained to manufacturer standards and inspected before use. Safe guarding and isolation procedures are in place for mechanical hazards. Instructions for safe operation are provided and only competent staff are authorised to use specific machinery. Manual handling risks are minimised by providing mechanical aids and by training workers in correct lifting techniques.

PPE is provided where controls cannot eliminate risk. Typical items include eye protection, gloves, high-visibility clothing, hearing protection and steel-toe boots. Respiratory protection is used for dusty operations and when handling certain chemicals. PPE policy is enforced to protect employees and the public during garden maintenance tasks.

Work at height and tree operations are planned and executed using appropriate equipment such as harnesses, ladders, mobile elevating platforms and qualified arborists. Only trained personnel undertake pruning, crown work and the use of chainsaws. A permit-to-work approach is used for high-risk tasks and contractors undertaking specialised roles must provide their own safe systems and evidence of competence.

Chemical use is restricted to approved products and carried out by trained operatives using COSHH principles: risk assessment, safe storage, correct dilution and secure transport. Alternatives to pesticides are considered where possible and application is scheduled to minimise exposure to people, pets and wildlife. Waste management follows best practice for green waste, hazardous residues and contaminated materials.

Traffic, pedestrians and site security are managed when work is near roads or in communal spaces. Signage, barriers and traffic management plans protect the public and workers. Communication with residents and property managers helps coordinate safe access and egress. Lone working procedures include regular check-ins and escalation protocols to ensure welfare and rapid response to incidents.

Accident, incident and near-miss reporting are mandatory. All events are recorded, investigated and appropriate corrective actions implemented. This process drives continuous improvement and helps prevent recurrence. The policy encourages open reporting and learning, with findings shared in safety briefings and training sessions.

Training and competence are central to the policy. Induction training, task-specific instruction and refresher courses are provided to all staff. Records of qualifications and training are maintained and reviewed. The organisation supports professional development to enable teams to deliver safe, high-quality lawn care and garden services across the service area.

Monitoring, performance review and policy revision ensure the safety management system remains effective. Key performance indicators, audits and field observations measure compliance and improvements. The policy is reviewed periodically and updated following changes in work practices, equipment or legislation to keep standards aligned with evolving best practice for local gardeners and the broader gardening sector.

Implementation of this Health & Safety Policy is essential to protect people and property while delivering professional gardening services. All staff are expected to support and apply the measures described here. Management will continue to provide resources, leadership and oversight to maintain a resilient safety culture across Gardeners Lambeth and the teams who represent our gardening company.