Health and Safety Policy — Gardening Hammersmith

Purpose and Scope

This Health and Safety Policy outlines the safety approach for Gardening Hammersmith and associated teams providing garden services in Hammersmith and nearby areas. The policy is designed to protect employees, clients, contractors and the public while delivering professional garden maintenance and landscaping services. It applies to all operational activities including lawn care, hedge cutting, planting, pruning, soil management and safe use of tools and machinery.

Our commitment is to maintain a culture where safety is an integral part of every job. Managers and supervisors are responsible for risk control, and every team member must follow safe systems of work. This policy sets out responsibilities, hazard controls, training expectations and processes for reporting and investigating incidents.

Gardening Hammersmith recognises that effective safety management reduces harm and supports service quality. The policy supports statutory duties and industry best practice while remaining practical and accessible to Hammersmith gardeners, mobile crews and subcontractors working across domestic and commercial gardens.

Responsibilities and Behaviour

Employees must take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others. Supervisors will ensure safe equipment, suitable personal protective equipment (PPE), and that risk assessments are carried out before work begins. Managers will:

• Ensure risk assessments and method statements are in place
• Provide access to necessary PPE and safe tools
• Arrange appropriate training and supervision

Workers must: follow safe work instructions, report hazards or near misses immediately, and not undertake tasks for which they are not trained. Hammersmith gardening teams should maintain clear communication with clients about site conditions and any potential risks before starting work.

Risk Assessment and Control Measures

All sites will have a documented risk assessment identifying hazards such as machinery, manual handling, hazardous substances, working at height, and public access. Controls will use hierarchy of risk reduction: elimination, substitution, engineering, administrative measures and PPE. Examples of controls include tool guards, clear exclusion zones, and secure storage for fuels and chemicals.

Particular attention is given to powered equipment (mowers, chainsaws, strimmers) with pre-start checks, maintenance logs and secure blade/chain handling procedures. Workers must use appropriate PPE: eye protection, gloves, high-visibility clothing and hearing protection when required. Single-use PPE policies and laundering instructions will be provided where relevant.

Manual handling is a frequent cause of injury; staff are trained in safe lifting techniques and use mechanical aids where possible. Hazardous substances such as pesticides and fuel are handled only by trained staff following COSHH-style controls, with clear labeling, safe dilution and secure transport.

Working Near Roads, Boundaries and Public Spaces

Work in kerbside or public areas requires additional precautions: traffic management, adequate signage, cones and, where necessary, temporary barriers. Staff must be aware of pedestrians, children and pets and establish a safe perimeter around operating machinery. Hammersmith gardeners will coordinate with clients to ensure access points are managed safely.

When working near boundaries or on slopes, teams will assess stability, avoid uncontrolled cutting that may destabilise banks or walls, and use suitable harnessing or edge protection for work at height. Competent personnel will supervise any use of ladders and ensure they are used on stable ground with correct securing.

Training, monitoring and incident response — staff receive induction training, competency checks for specialist equipment, and refresher sessions. Near-miss reporting and accident investigation processes are used to drive continuous improvement. Emergency procedures are in place for injuries, major incidents or hazardous substance exposures, including arrangements for first aid and professional medical assistance where required.

Communication, Review and Continuous Improvement

Policy details are communicated to all staff and subcontractors; changes to legislation, equipment or work methods prompt timely reviews. Regular site inspections, toolbox talks, and audits help ensure standards are maintained. The policy supports a no-blame culture for reporting and aims to embed best practice across all Garden maintenance Hammersmith activities.

Records of training, risk assessments, equipment maintenance and incident reports are retained to monitor trends and inform proactive changes. Senior management will review this policy annually or sooner if operational changes or incidents suggest necessary updates. The goal is to keep safety proportionate, practical and focused on preventing harm while delivering high-quality horticultural services.

All staff are encouraged to contribute suggestions for safer working practices. By combining clear responsibilities, documented controls and active engagement, Gardening Hammersmith aims to provide safe, reliable and professional gardening services across its service area, protecting people and property while caring for the urban and suburban green spaces we maintain.