Garden Maintenance Hounslow — Health & Safety Policy

Garden Maintenance Hounslow is committed to delivering safe, professional horticultural and groundskeeping services across the service area. This health and safety policy sets out our responsibilities and practical arrangements to protect employees, contractors, clients and the public during routine gardening work, landscape upkeep and seasonal maintenance activities.

Our objective is to apply consistent, risk-based controls so that Hounslow garden maintenance and related gardening operations are performed with minimal hazard. The policy covers plant operation, manual handling, use of hand tools and power equipment, traffic management on-site and measures to reduce slips, trips and falls.

Scope and principles

This policy applies to all staff, sub-contractors and visitors engaged in garden and grounds maintenance in Hounslow and neighbouring areas. We will: identify hazards, assess risks, and implement proportionate controls; ensure suitable training and supervision; and maintain records of risk assessments, inspections and maintenance activities.

Responsibilities and management

Senior management holds overall accountability for health and safety policy implementation. Supervisors and team leaders have day-to-day responsibility for safe systems of work and must ensure that staff follow written procedures. Employees are expected to work safely, report hazards promptly, and participate in training. We promote a culture of shared responsibility where safety considerations are integrated into every gardening task.

Risk assessments are completed for recurring tasks such as lawn mowing, hedge cutting, tree pruning, turf work and pesticide application. Control measures include exclusion zones during powered operations, secure storage of hazardous substances, regular equipment checks and clear signage when working in communal or public spaces. All assessments are reviewed periodically and when work conditions change.

To support workforce competence we provide formal and informal training, on-site supervision and toolbox talks. Training includes safe equipment use, manual handling techniques, emergency response, and awareness of allergic or biological hazards commonly encountered during gardening duties.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is issued and maintained according to task risk. Typical provision includes gloves, eye protection, hearing protection, high-visibility clothing and sturdy footwear. Selection of PPE considers the task, weather and public exposure. A non-exhaustive list of controls includes:

• Pre-work checks on all powered tools and mobile equipment;
• Safe storage of fuels and agrochemicals in labelled, secure containers;
• Clear exclusion and cordon-off procedures when using noisy or potentially injurious plant;
• Regular maintenance schedules and documented fault reporting for machinery.

We maintain documented procedures for handling hazardous substances and follow best-practice control measures for any products used in garden care. Environmental considerations such as run-off prevention and responsible application of treatments are built into operational planning.

Emergency preparedness and incident management form part of our standard operating framework. Staff are instructed on first-aid arrangements, reporting lines and how to summon additional assistance in the event of an injury or dangerous occurrence. Incident reports are recorded, investigated and used to prevent recurrence.

Equipment and vehicle safety is paramount. Vehicles used for garden maintenance in Hounslow receive routine inspections, and trailers or machinery are secured during transit. Powered hand tools and ride-on mowers are operated only by trained personnel and are subject to daily checks before use.

This policy is communicated to all employees and is available in accessible language. Regular reviews ensure it remains effective and aligned with evolving best practices for gardening services. We encourage staff to contribute suggestions to improve safety and to highlight any emerging risks during routine operations.

Monitoring and continuous improvement processes include site audits, spot checks and review meetings to assess performance against safety objectives. Non-compliances are addressed by corrective actions, and lessons learned are incorporated into training and procedure updates. Strong leadership, clear communication and practical controls help deliver safe, reliable garden services across the local area.

By maintaining these standards, our gardening teams provide a professional and safe service for domestic, commercial and communal grounds. The policy supports business continuity, reduces injury and enhances public confidence in the delivery of horticultural work in Hounslow.

Signed and endorsed by management: this policy is effective from the date of issue and will be reviewed annually or when significant changes in work practices occur. Adherence to this policy ensures our garden maintenance operations are carried out responsibly, protecting the health and safety of everyone involved.