Gardeners Haringey Health and Safety Policy

This Health and Safety Policy sets out how Gardeners Haringey manages health, safety and welfare in connection with our gardening and grounds maintenance services. Our aim is to prevent injury, ill health and damage to property for employees, subcontractors, clients and members of the public.

The management of Gardeners Haringey accepts overall responsibility for health and safety performance and is committed to complying with relevant health and safety legislation, industry standards and best practice for gardening and landscaping activities.

Policy Objectives

Our core health and safety objectives are to provide and maintain:

Safe systems of work for all gardening tasks, safe equipment and tools that are regularly inspected and maintained, clear information, instruction and supervision to employees and subcontractors, a working environment that minimises risks arising from gardening operations, and effective procedures for dealing with emergencies and accidents.

We aim to continually improve our health and safety performance through regular reviews, staff training and the adoption of safer working methods wherever reasonably practicable.

Management Responsibilities

Management is responsible for putting this policy into practice and for ensuring that risk to people, property and the environment is kept as low as reasonably possible. Management will plan work so that health and safety considerations are integrated into every gardening project, allocate suitable resources for training, protective equipment and safe tools, check that employees and subcontractors follow safe working procedures, and investigate accidents, near misses and unsafe conditions so that corrective actions can be taken.

Supervisors are responsible for day to day implementation of safe working procedures on site, monitoring behaviour, checking equipment and ensuring that new or young workers are adequately instructed and supervised.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees and subcontractors working under the Gardeners Haringey name have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. They must follow all safety instructions and training provided, use tools, machinery and substances only as instructed, correctly wear and maintain personal protective equipment issued to them, report hazards, defects and near misses without delay, and refrain from horseplay or any behaviour that could put themselves or others at risk.

Anyone who is unsure about how to perform a task safely must seek clarification or assistance from a supervisor before proceeding.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Gardeners Haringey will assess foreseeable risks arising from our gardening and grounds maintenance work. This includes tasks such as grass cutting, hedge trimming, tree work within our competence, planting, clearance of vegetation, use of chemicals for weed control where permitted, operation of powered equipment and waste handling.

Suitable control measures will be identified and implemented, including safe methods of work for each task, use of appropriate personal protective equipment, restrictions on work at height and on slopes, and measures to protect members of the public, visitors and clients while work is taking place. Risk assessments will be reviewed regularly and whenever there is a change in work methods, equipment or relevant legislation.

Training, Information and Supervision

Gardeners Haringey will ensure that staff and regular subcontractors receive appropriate training for the work they undertake. This may include induction training covering general health and safety rules, task specific training in the safe use of mowers, trimmers, blowers and other machinery, instruction in manual handling techniques, and awareness training for working near roads, paths and shared outdoor spaces.

Where specialised tasks are undertaken, such as tree work or pesticide application, staff will hold any necessary qualifications and certifications. Supervision levels will be set according to the experience and competence of each worker and the level of risk involved in the job.

Equipment, Machinery and Personal Protective Equipment

All gardening machinery, tools and equipment used by Gardeners Haringey will be suitable for the task, properly maintained and used in accordance with manufacturer instructions. Pre use checks will be carried out, and defective equipment will be removed from service until repaired or replaced.

Personal protective equipment will be provided where required by risk assessment. This may include safety footwear, gloves, eye protection, hearing protection, high visibility clothing and respiratory protection when appropriate. All workers are required to use the equipment provided and to report any loss or defects.

Control of Substances and Chemicals

Where gardening work requires the use of substances or chemicals such as fuels, oils or approved weed control products, Gardeners Haringey will identify the hazards and implement control measures. Products will be stored, transported, mixed and used according to safety data information and legislation. Only trained and authorised personnel may handle these substances. Spills will be managed promptly and safely, and waste will be disposed of through appropriate routes.

Manual Handling and Physical Work

Gardening work often involves lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling. Gardeners Haringey will seek to reduce manual handling risks by planning work to avoid unnecessary heavy lifting, using mechanical aids and team lifting where appropriate, and training staff in safe lifting techniques.

Employees are expected to assess their own ability before lifting and to ask for assistance if an item is too heavy, large or awkward to move safely on their own.

Public and Client Safety

Gardeners Haringey will take reasonable steps to protect clients, visitors and the public during our work. This includes planning access routes for machinery and vehicles, segregating work areas where practicable, using warning signs or barriers in higher risk areas, and avoiding leaving tools and equipment unattended where they could present a hazard.

We will show consideration for neighbouring properties and shared outdoor spaces, minimising noise, dust and disruption consistent with safe working practice.

Accidents, First Aid and Emergencies

All accidents, incidents and near misses that occur during work activities must be reported to management as soon as possible. Records will be kept and used to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.

Appropriate first aid supplies will be available to mobile teams and at base locations. Staff will be briefed on the procedures to follow in the event of injury, fire, exposure to hazardous substances or other emergencies. Where necessary, work will be stopped until the area is made safe.

Policy Review

This Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed regularly to ensure it remains suitable and effective in light of changes in our services, working methods, equipment, legislation and industry guidance. Revisions will be communicated to all employees and regular subcontractors, and they will be expected to follow the updated requirements.

By working together and following this policy, Gardeners Haringey aims to maintain a safe and healthy working environment during all gardening and grounds maintenance operations.