Gardeners Dollis Hill Health and Safety Policy

Gardeners Dollis Hill is committed to providing gardening and grounds maintenance services in a manner that safeguards the health, safety and welfare of our staff, clients, visitors, contractors and members of the public. This policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with gardening activities and maintaining a safe working environment at all times.

Our Health and Safety Objectives

Our main objectives are to prevent injury, protect health, and minimise risks arising from our work. We will identify potential hazards in gardens and outdoor areas, implement suitable control measures, and encourage safe working practices across all services we provide. Health and safety considerations form an integral part of our planning, daily operations and continuous improvement.

Management Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with the management of Gardeners Dollis Hill. Management will ensure that this policy is implemented, maintained and reviewed regularly so that it remains effective and relevant to our gardening services. This includes providing adequate resources, information and support to enable employees to work safely and comply with legal and industry requirements.

Management will also set clear expectations for safe behaviour, monitor performance, and take appropriate action where improvements are required or procedures are not followed. Lessons learned from incidents, near misses or customer feedback will be used to refine our safety standards.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees, whether permanent, temporary or seasonal, have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their work. Staff must cooperate with Gardeners Dollis Hill in implementing this policy, follow safe systems of work, use equipment correctly, and report any hazards, defects or incidents without delay.

Employees must not misuse or interfere with any equipment or measures that are provided for health and safety. Everyone is expected to behave responsibly, maintain good housekeeping on work sites, and respect the property and privacy of clients while carrying out gardening tasks.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Gardeners Dollis Hill will undertake risk assessments for key tasks such as lawn care, hedge trimming, tree work within our competence, planting, waste handling and the use of powered machinery. We will identify foreseeable hazards, evaluate risks, and implement proportionate control measures, including the selection of appropriate tools and personal protective equipment.

Site-specific checks will be carried out before work begins, taking account of access routes, uneven ground, slopes, overhead lines, underground services, weather conditions, and the presence of other people or animals. Work will be planned to avoid unnecessary risks, and activities that cannot be carried out safely will be suspended until suitable controls are in place.

Training, Supervision and Competence

We recognise that competent and well-informed staff are essential to safe gardening operations. Gardeners Dollis Hill will provide appropriate induction, instruction and ongoing training to ensure employees understand their responsibilities, know how to use tools and machinery safely, and are familiar with emergency procedures.

New or less experienced workers will be supervised until they are considered competent to work independently. Where specialist work is required, such as complex tree operations or the use of particular equipment, tasks will only be assigned to people who are properly trained and authorised.

Tools, Machinery and Equipment

Gardeners Dollis Hill will select tools and machinery suitable for the tasks undertaken and maintain them in sound condition. Regular inspections and servicing will be carried out in line with manufacturer instructions and good practice. Any defective or damaged equipment will be removed from use until it has been repaired or replaced.

Staff are required to use machinery only for its intended purpose, follow safe operating procedures, and never defeat or remove safety guards or devices. Equipment will be transported and stored securely to prevent accidents or unauthorised use, particularly in shared or residential outdoor areas.

Personal Protective Equipment

Where risks cannot be eliminated by other means, appropriate personal protective equipment will be provided and used. This may include safety footwear, gloves, eye and hearing protection, high-visibility clothing, and respiratory protection where necessary. Employees must look after PPE issued to them, wear it correctly, and report any loss or damage promptly so that it can be replaced.

Chemicals, Green Waste and Environmental Safety

When handling products such as fertilisers, soil improvers or weed treatments, Gardeners Dollis Hill will follow safe handling guidelines and manufacturer instructions. Only authorised staff will use such products, and they will be stored, mixed and applied in a way that protects people, plants and wildlife.

Green waste and other materials generated during gardening work will be handled with care to avoid manual handling injuries, trips or cuts. Disposal will be managed responsibly, and work areas will be left tidy and free from avoidable hazards at the end of each visit.

Protection of Clients and the Public

We take particular care to protect clients, neighbours and passers-by in and around the gardens where we work. Where necessary, we will cordon off areas, display appropriate warnings, and schedule higher-risk activities to reduce the likelihood of contact with the public. Noise, dust and obstruction will be kept to a minimum so far as is reasonably practicable.

Special consideration will be given to properties where children, pets or vulnerable people are present. Tools and materials will not be left unattended in a way that could present a risk of injury or misuse.

Accidents, Incidents and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents and near misses that occur during work for Gardeners Dollis Hill must be reported and recorded. We will investigate incidents as appropriate to identify root causes and implement corrective actions aimed at preventing recurrence. First aid arrangements will be in place, and staff will know how to obtain assistance and contact emergency services if required.

Monitoring, Review and Policy Updates

Gardeners Dollis Hill will monitor compliance with this policy through supervision, inspections and feedback from staff and clients. We are committed to reviewing and updating this policy regularly, and whenever there are significant changes in our activities, new equipment is introduced, or relevant guidance and standards evolve.

By working together and maintaining a positive safety culture, Gardeners Dollis Hill aims to deliver high-quality gardening services while protecting the wellbeing of everyone affected by our work.