Health and Safety Policy — Gardeners Dalston

This policy sets out the standards and procedures for safe working across our gardening operations. It applies to all staff, sub-contractors and anyone working with the Gardeners Dalston team or providing gardening services in the local service area. The aim is to reduce risk, prevent injury and protect health while delivering professional grounds maintenance, landscaping and garden care.

Policy Statement and Purpose

We are committed to maintaining a safe working environment for all employees and clients. Our obligation is to comply with applicable health and safety principles and to adopt best practice for horticultural and groundskeeping activities. This policy provides a clear framework for managing hazards common to gardening, including machinery, manual handling, chemicals and working at height.

Scope and Service Area

This document covers routine work undertaken by Dalston gardeners, including mowing, pruning, planting, hedge cutting, turfing, hard landscaping and soft landscaping tasks. It applies to activities on private and communal properties within the service region and to temporary work sites where our gardening contractors operate. The policy is not a legal interpretation, but a practical statement of how we manage safety.

Responsibilities

All operatives have a responsibility to work safely. Key roles include:

• Management: provide training, equipment, risk assessments and supervision;
• Supervisors: ensure method statements are followed, permit-to-work procedures are in place where required, and incidents are reported;
• Operatives: follow safe systems of work, use PPE and report defects immediately.

Gardeners operating in Dalston and surrounding areas must carry out pre-work checks, maintain tools responsibly and only use machinery they are trained and authorised to operate. Personal accountability is essential: if you identify an unsafe condition, stop work and seek clarification.

Risk assessment is the backbone of safer gardening services. Before commencing any job our teams complete site-specific risk assessments that identify hazards such as underground utilities, uneven ground, overhead cables, poisonous plants and wildlife. Control measures are recorded and reviewed for each task and include segregation of work areas, signage, exclusion zones and safe access arrangements.

Equipment, Tools and Maintenance

All hand tools, petrol and battery-powered equipment, chainsaws and ride-on mowers are inspected daily and serviced at scheduled intervals. Only competent operators use power equipment and PPE such as hearing protection, eye protection, gloves and safety boots are mandatory where required. Electrical equipment is PAT-tested in line with industry practice and defective items are taken out of service.

Safe storage, secure transportation and correct fuel handling procedures minimise fire and spillage risks. Lock-out/tag-out practices are used for major maintenance and when isolating power for repair.

Chemical and Biological Safety — When herbicides, pesticides or fertilisers are needed, we follow the manufacturers' instructions, COSHH principles and environmental precautions to avoid contamination of watercourses and non-target plants. Operatives receive training in safe mixing, application and disposal. Consideration is given to seasonal nesting and pollinator protection.

Manual Handling and Working at Height: Manual handling tasks are assessed and mechanical aids are used where feasible. For tasks involving ladders or elevated platforms, a competent person plans and supervises the work to ensure secure footing, correct ladder angles and fall prevention measures. Safe practice reduces the likelihood of musculoskeletal injury.

Incident Reporting, First Aid and Emergency Procedures

All incidents, injuries and near misses are reported promptly, recorded and investigated to prevent recurrence. Adequate first-aid provision is available on-site and vehicles carry a stocked first-aid kit. In an emergency, operatives follow the site's emergency plan and cooperate with emergency services. Rehabilitation and return-to-work processes help staff recover safely.

Training and Competence

We invest in ongoing training for the Dalston gardening team, covering safe use of machinery, chemical handling, risk assessment and manual handling. New staff and subcontractors receive induction training and periodic refresher courses to maintain competence and awareness of changing best practices.

Regular toolbox talks and site briefings are used to communicate hazards and control measures. Supervisors monitor performance and provide coaching where necessary to ensure standards are upheld.

Monitoring and Review: This health and safety policy is reviewed annually and after significant incidents or changes to operations. Performance is measured through audits, inspections and review of incident data, enabling continuous improvement of gardening safety practices throughout our service area.

Implementation and Compliance — Compliance with this policy is mandatory. Management will provide the necessary resources to implement safe systems of work while employees are expected to comply and cooperate. Where necessary, corrective actions will be taken to address non-compliance.

By embedding safety into every task, Gardeners Dalston and associated gardening crews deliver a high-quality service that protects people, property and the environment. This policy supports a culture of safety-minded horticulture and grounds management across our operating area.

Signed for and on behalf of the organisation: the management team endorses this policy and will ensure it is communicated, implemented and maintained.