Health & Safety Policy — Gardeners West Ham

This Health and Safety policy sets out the commitment of Gardeners West Ham and affiliated teams to protect the welfare of employees, clients and the public across our gardening service area. The policy applies to all activities carried out by our gardeners, seasonal teams and approved contractors while working on private and communal green spaces, domestic gardens and small commercial grounds. The aim is to minimise harm, prevent incidents and promote safe working practices through clear responsibilities, planned controls and ongoing review. Our approach is pragmatic, focused on practical risk control for gardening operations in the local service region.

Management at Gardeners West Ham accepts the duty to ensure a safe working environment. This includes providing adequate resources, instruction and supervision and maintaining equipment in good condition. We will: maintain safe systems of work, ensure appropriate training and provide suitable protective equipment. Senior staff take responsibility for enforcing this policy and for promoting a safety culture where everyone recognises that safety is part of quality gardening work.

Employees, supervisors and subcontractors each have defined responsibilities under this policy. Staff must follow safe methods, report defects and participate in training. Supervisors are required to assess tasks, implement controls and ensure team competence. Contractors engaged for specialist tasks are expected to meet our safety standards and provide evidence of their competency. Everyone is encouraged to report hazards and near misses so that corrective action can be taken before harm occurs.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working

All routine activities are subject to a simple, practical risk assessment carried out by the responsible operative before work starts. These assessments consider site-specific factors such as slopes, access, underground services and proximity to people or animals. Where higher-risk tasks are identified, additional controls will be implemented — such as exclusion zones, traffic management or specialist plant. Records of assessments and any control measures are retained for operational use and review.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided where required and must be used correctly. Typical PPE for gardeners includes gloves, eye protection, ear protection, hi-vis clothing and appropriate footwear. Training covers correct PPE use, manual handling techniques and safe operation of mowers, strimmers and hand tools. The following safety controls form the backbone of our field practice:

• Pre-start equipment checks and routine maintenance to prevent failures
• Safe storage and labelling of fuels, oils and garden chemicals
• Supervision and competency checks for powered equipment and petrol tools
• Clear exclusion zones and signage when working in public-facing areas

All plant and tools are inspected and maintained to reduce risk. Batteries and fuel are handled in designated areas with spill-control kits readily available. Where hazardous substances are used, safe handling procedures and secure storage are in place, and non-chemical alternatives are considered first.

Incidents, First Aid and Emergency Procedures

Prompt reporting of incidents, injuries and near misses ensures swift corrective action. First aid provision is maintained on sites as appropriate and staff are trained to respond to common gardening injuries and burns. In an emergency, staff are instructed to secure the scene, render first aid where safe and request emergency services if needed. All incidents are reviewed to identify root causes and prevent recurrence.

Protecting clients, neighbours and passers-by is an essential part of our work. We use barriers, cones and clear signage when necessary, and schedule noisy or disruptive tasks considerately. Special care is taken when working where children, pets or vulnerable people may be present. Communication with clients about safe access and any temporary restrictions forms part of every job plan.

Monitoring and continual improvement underpin this policy. Regular supervision visits, toolbox talks and refresher training keep safety knowledge current across the West Ham gardeners team. Records of induction, training and equipment checks are maintained and reviewed periodically. The policy is implemented across all our garden maintenance teams in the service area, and it will be updated to reflect lessons learned from incidents or operational changes. By embedding safety into everyday practice, Gardeners West Ham aims to deliver quality green space services while protecting people, property and the environment.