Health & Safety Policy — Garden Maintenance Wembley

Garden Maintenance Wembley is committed to providing a safe working environment for employees, visitors and the public. This policy sets out how our gardening and grounds maintenance teams operate to minimise risk while delivering professional garden care services in Wembley and surrounding service areas. Our aim is to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property by applying clear responsibilities, robust risk assessment and proactive controls.

Statement of intent: We will maintain safe systems of work for all routine and non-routine activities including lawn care, hedge cutting, shrub pruning, tree work, planting, pesticide application and seasonal clearance. The policy covers the safe use of plant and equipment, manual handling, working at height, traffic management, and safe storage and handling of substances. Every member of the team is expected to follow procedures and use protective equipment to protect themselves and those around them.

Risk assessment, training and safe working

Risk assessments are performed before starting any job and reviewed when conditions change. Assessments identify hazards, evaluate risk and specify control measures. Employees receive induction and ongoing training covering:
• Equipment operation and maintenance
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) use
• Manual handling and ergonomic practices
• Safe use of chemicals and COSHH principles

• Site assessment: Check access, underground services, boundaries, public access points and environmental sensitivities.
• Permit to work: For higher-risk tasks such as tree climbing, significant excavation or pesticide application, specific authorization is required.
• Supervision: Team leaders ensure compliance with methods and verify competence for specialist tasks.

Equipment, PPE and maintenance

Equipment: All tools and machines used in garden upkeep in Wembley are selected for suitability and safety. Powered tools, mowers, chainsaws and shredders are inspected before use and serviced on a planned schedule. Faulty equipment is removed from service immediately and tagged until repaired.

PPE and clothing: Staff are supplied with appropriate PPE including gloves, eye protection, hearing protection, hi-visibility clothing and respiratory protection where required. Training covers correct selection, fitting and care of protective equipment to ensure effectiveness.

Emergency preparedness and first aid: First aid kits are available on site, and trained first aiders assigned for teams working in the field. Emergency procedures address incidents ranging from minor cuts to serious accidents, including clear instructions for contacting emergency services, securing the scene and reporting internal incidents.

Safe working practices and public protection

For work in public spaces and private gardens our teams follow strict controls to protect the public and property. Traffic management, cordoning, signage and supervision are used to segregate work zones. When operating mowers, strimmers or chainsaws near people or structures the team will implement additional barriers and exclusion zones. Wembley garden maintenance activities always consider pedestrian safety and property protection as primary concerns.

Manual handling: Safe lifting techniques, mechanical aids and team lifts reduce strain and injury. Where heavy materials are handled, task risk assessments determine whether lifting equipment or extra personnel are required. Repetitive task risks are managed by rotating duties and rest breaks.

Chemical safety: Use of herbicides and pesticides follows manufacturer instructions and best practice for safe storage, transport and application. Only trained personnel apply chemicals and appropriate labeling and containment procedures are maintained to prevent environmental contamination.

Incident reporting, monitoring and continuous improvement

All accidents, incidents and near misses are reported immediately through the company reporting system. Reports are investigated, and corrective actions implemented to prevent recurrence. Investigation findings and lessons learned are communicated across teams as part of ongoing training.

Performance monitoring: We measure safety performance using key indicators such as incident rates, near-miss reports, completion of safety training, and equipment inspection records. Regular safety meetings review performance and identify improvement opportunities.

Policy review and responsibility: Management retains overall responsibility for implementing and resourcing this policy. Team leaders are responsible for day-to-day safety on site and for ensuring staff compliance. The policy is reviewed at least annually and updated when business activities or legislation change to ensure it remains effective for garden upkeep and landscaping activities across our service area.

Implementation and commitment

This Health and Safety policy applies to all employees and contractors engaged in garden maintenance activities. Everyone is expected to cooperate with safety procedures and contribute to a culture of safe working. Training, supervision and support are provided so that staff can perform their duties confidently and safely. Our commitment extends to protecting the environment while delivering high-quality garden maintenance services in Wembley and nearby districts.

The company will ensure adequate resources for risk control measures, maintenance of plant and equipment, provision of PPE and effective communication of safety information. By working together we aim to reduce incidents, protect people and property, and deliver reliable, safe gardening services.

All personnel are required to read and understand this policy. Any queries on safe working practices or suggestions for improvement should be raised with a supervisor. Continuous improvement is part of our approach to maintaining a safe, responsible and professional gardening operation.