Health and Safety Policy for Garden Maintenance Parsons Green

Purpose: This Health and Safety policy sets out the principles and practical measures to protect employees, contractors and the public during garden maintenance Parsons Green operations. It applies to routine groundskeeping, seasonal planting, hedge trimming, turf care and general landscape maintenance undertaken by our teams. The policy emphasises safe working practices, risk awareness and continuous improvement across all Parsons Green gardening services.

Scope: The policy covers all aspects of garden care in Parsons Green, including site preparation, equipment use, handling of materials, waste removal and interaction with residents and traffic. It applies to permanent staff, temporary operatives and subcontractors engaged in maintenance of gardens in Parsons Green and nearby service areas.

Responsibilities: Management will ensure that sufficient resources are allocated to implement safety controls, provide training and monitor compliance. Supervisors will carry out pre-work briefings and ensure safe systems of work. Employees must follow instructions, use personal protective equipment (PPE) correctly and report hazards or incidents promptly. Everyone has a role in maintaining a safe working environment.

All Parsons Green garden maintenance tasks must be preceded by a risk assessment that identifies hazards and defines control measures. Typical risks include manual handling, slips, trips and falls, noise, vibration, use of powered equipment, chemicals and working adjacent to roads. Risk assessments should be recorded and reviewed when tasks, equipment or conditions change.

Control measures will follow the hierarchy of risk control: eliminate hazards where possible, substitute with safer methods, use engineering controls, apply administrative controls and provide appropriate PPE. Examples: using wheeled equipment to reduce manual lifting, securing ladders for hedge work and implementing exclusion zones during machinery operation.

Safe systems of work for Parsons Green garden maintenance will include method statements for high-risk activities, permit-to-work arrangements where necessary and clear communication of roles. Supervisors will ensure that task-specific controls are understood and adhered to by crews.

Staff involved in Parsons Green garden maintenance will receive training relevant to their roles. Training covers equipment operation, safe use of hand tools, chemical handling, first aid basics and emergency procedures. Competence will be assessed and recorded. Refresher courses will be scheduled to maintain skills and awareness.

Supervision is provided to ensure consistency and to coach less experienced team members. Where specialist tasks are required, only competent or certified operatives will be deployed. Performance is monitored through routine inspections and toolbox talks.

To support continuous improvement, incident investigations will identify root causes and lead to corrective actions. Lessons learned are shared with staff to reduce recurrence and improve overall safety culture.

Personal protective equipment for garden maintenance in Parsons Green includes gloves, eye protection, high-visibility clothing, ear protection and protective footwear. Respiratory protection will be provided when dust or chemical exposure presents a risk. PPE is a last line of defence and must be maintained and checked before each use.

Equipment and machinery must be regularly inspected, maintained and operated according to manufacturers' instructions. Powered tools, mowers and chainsaws require pre-shift checks and secure storage when not in use. Fueling and charging of equipment should be conducted in well-ventilated areas with spill control measures in place.

Manual handling guidance seeks to minimise lifting and awkward postures. Mechanical aids, team lifts and correct lifting techniques are promoted. Wherever practical, tasks will be redesigned to reduce manual handling risks.

Emergency procedures outline first aid arrangements, reporting lines and steps to take in the event of fire, serious injury or environmental incidents such as fuel spills. A clear communication plan ensures rapid response and liaison with emergency services when required. First aid kits and trained personnel are available on sites according to task risk.

Hazardous substances used in gardening activities will be controlled through safe storage, COSHH-style assessments and use of approved products. Material safety information and correct disposal methods prevent harm to people and the environment.

Monitoring and review processes will track key safety indicators, carry out regular site audits and review the policy annually or after significant incidents. This policy is supported by documented procedures, and staff are encouraged to contribute suggestions for safer working practices in all aspects of garden maintenance Parsons Green.