Health and Safety Policy for Gardening Surbiton

We, Gardening Surbiton and associated teams providing Surbiton gardening and Surbiton garden services, are committed to safeguarding the health, safety and welfare of our staff, sub-contractors and the public while carrying out garden maintenance, landscaping and grounds care. This policy sets out the arrangements and standards that govern safe working practices across all projects and service areas. It applies to all staff, seasonal workers and any personnel acting on behalf of the company.

Our objective is to prevent accidents and occupational ill-health by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing proportionate controls. The policy covers routine tasks such as mowing, pruning, planting and hedge work, as well as higher-risk activities including the use of powered machinery, working at height and handling chemicals. The policy reflects best practice for Gardeners in Surbiton and nearby service locations while remaining flexible to site-specific conditions.

Responsibilities are defined clearly: the management team ensures that safe systems of work are in place, supervisors monitor performance and employees follow instructions and report hazards. Key responsibilities include:

• Management – provide resources, ensure risk assessments and method statements are prepared and reviewed.
• Supervisors – oversee tasks, confirm competency and supply appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Operatives – use equipment safely, attend required training and report incidents or near misses promptly.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Before each job, a documented risk assessment will be carried out. These assessments identify foreseeable hazards associated with gardening in Surbiton and surrounding neighbourhoods and determine control measures such as exclusion zones, signage and emergency procedures. Where work affects public spaces or private driveways, additional controls will be put in place to protect pedestrians and property.

Training and competence are central to our safety approach. All staff receive induction training covering manual handling, machinery operation, chemical safety and first aid. Specific licensing requirements for turf treatment or pesticide use will be confirmed where necessary. We maintain training records and review competency at regular intervals to ensure that Surbiton garden teams remain capable of working safely.

PPE is provided and its use is mandatory where risk assessments indicate it: hi-vis clothing, protective footwear, eye and hearing protection, gloves and appropriate respiratory protection. Equipment such as mowers, chainsaws and hedge cutters are maintained to manufacturer standards and inspected before each use. Electrical and fuel-powered tools are subject to routine checks and portable appliance testing where applicable.

Operational Controls and Environmental Considerations

Safe storage, handling and disposal of hazardous materials is enforced. Fertilisers, herbicides and other chemicals are kept in secure storage with proper labelling, and material safety data sheets are available on site. We adopt an approach that reduces chemical use where possible and encourages manual and mechanical alternatives to protect local flora and fauna.

Working at height for tree pruning or tall hedging uses appropriate access equipment such as ladders, platforms or harness systems. Tasks requiring higher risk controls are only undertaken by trained operatives with a documented method statement. Traffic management for roadside work uses cones, signage and, if needed, temporary barriers to control vehicle flow and keep workers safe.

Incident reporting and investigation procedures ensure that any accident, near miss or occupational illness is recorded, examined and acted upon. Prompt reporting enables trends to be identified and preventive measures implemented. The policy also requires periodic safety audits and reviews of systems to ensure continuous improvement.

We stress the importance of clear communication and teamwork. Pre-start briefings, toolbox talks and daily checks keep staff informed about hazards and control measures for the day. Everyone is empowered to stop work if an unsafe condition is identified and to raise concerns through the line management structure.

Monitoring, review and continual improvement are integral. The policy will be reviewed annually or after a significant incident, change in legislation or introduction of new equipment. Performance is measured through observation, audit, training completion rates and incident statistics. Lessons learned are incorporated into training and operational documents to strengthen safety culture across all gardening in Surbiton operations.

Commitment: The organisation expects everyone to play an active part in health and safety. By maintaining clear responsibilities, robust risk management and ongoing training, Gardening Surbiton aims to deliver quality garden services while protecting people and the environment. This policy is supported by operational procedures and records that ensure accountability and track progress over time.

All staff are expected to familiarise themselves with this policy and the procedures that support it. Regular review and open communication underpin our promise to maintain safe working conditions for staff, customers and the community. This policy is the basis for safe, professional and responsible delivery of Surbiton garden services.

Signed by Management — Date of issue and review cycle are recorded in the company policy register. The effectiveness of the policy relies on consistent application and shared responsibility across all teams and contracts.