Great Gardeners Health and Safety Policy

Great Gardeners is committed to maintaining a safe working environment for all staff, contractors and members of the public affected by our gardening and landscape services. This Health and Safety Policy outlines the principles, responsibilities and practical measures that govern how our gardening company operates across its service area. The policy applies to routine garden maintenance, planting, landscaping, shrub and tree care, and any other grounds management activities carried out by the Great Gardeners team.

Our primary objective is to prevent injury and ill health while delivering high-quality horticultural services. To achieve this we will identify and assess hazards, put in place controls, and continually monitor performance. The policy is underpinned by active management commitment and the expectation that every gardener and operative takes personal responsibility for safety. All personnel must work in a way that minimises risk to themselves and others.

Management at Great Gardeners has a duty to provide a safe system of work, adequate resources and reasonable training, while employees have duties to follow safe working methods and report hazards. Supervisors and operatives are expected to co-operate in risk assessments and in implementing control measures. Where subcontractors are used, they must meet the same safety standards and co-ordinate with our staff to manage shared risks effectively.

All activities undertaken by our gardening service are subject to documented risk assessments that consider the specific site conditions and the equipment in use. The process identifies the likelihood and severity of potential harm and sets out proportionate controls such as safe systems of work, signage, and exclusion zones. Our field teams are trained to review risk assessments on arrival and to adjust controls for unexpected hazards.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided where required and must be used correctly. Typical PPE for Great Gardeners staff includes eye protection, hearing protection, gloves, high-visibility clothing and appropriate footwear. Where specialist tasks demand additional protection, such as respiratory masks for dust or chemical exposure, this will be supplied and its use enforced.

Safe handling of tools and machinery is essential. Our equipment policy requires regular maintenance and pre-use checks. Fueling procedures, blade changes, and battery charging are controlled activities with documented precautions. Electrical safety, guarding, and lock-out/tag-out measures are used to prevent unexpected machine start-up during servicing.

Great Gardeners invests in training to ensure operatives are competent for their roles. Training covers safe operation of hand and powered tools, safe use of ladders, manual handling techniques, chemical awareness, and traffic management when working near roads. New staff receive a structured induction and ongoing refresher training ensures skills remain current.

We use clear communication channels to share safety information, including daily briefings, toolbox talks and written instructions for complex tasks. Employees are encouraged to raise concerns immediately and to suggest improvements to our working procedures. Hazard reporting and near-miss notification are integral to our approach and help prevent future incidents.

Specific measures are in place for common horticultural risks: manual handling plans for lifting materials; exclusion zones and spotting for operations using powered equipment; safe ladder practices and fall prevention for elevated work; and appropriate controls for tree work. All such controls are proportionate to the risk and are reviewed after any change in work method or following an incident.

Chemical handling and storage are managed to reduce exposure and environmental harm. Only approved products are used, and Material Safety Data Sheets are maintained and accessible. Waste generated by gardening activities, such as prunings, used oils or contaminated materials, is disposed of responsibly in accordance with environmental best practice.

Lone working and working in isolated locations are addressed through specific procedures: risk assessment, check-in systems, and practical measures to reduce vulnerability. Where site traffic is present, the Great Gardeners service implements traffic management plans, uses spotters and high-visibility clothing, and restricts machinery movement to designated times or areas.

Accidents, incidents and near misses are recorded and investigated to identify root causes and prevent recurrence. The policy mandates timely reporting and transparent investigation processes. We set measurable safety objectives and monitor performance through inspections, audits and performance reviews, adapting our approach as required.

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed periodically to reflect changes in work practices, new equipment, and lessons learned from incidents. The Great Gardeners leadership promotes a positive safety culture where continuous improvement is sought and where the wellbeing of staff, clients and the public is a priority.

Key commitments include maintaining safe working procedures, ensuring competence through training, providing necessary PPE and equipment, and fostering open communication about safety. Everyone connected with the company is expected to contribute to and comply with these commitments.

Implementation of this policy is the responsibility of management and every member of staff. Regular reviews and risk-based inspections will ensure the policy remains effective for the full range of Great Gardeners services across our operating area.