Health & Safety Policy — Gardeners Wembley

Gardeners Wembley is committed to providing a safe working environment for all staff, contractors and the public where our landscaping and maintenance activities take place. This policy sets out the principles by which our Wembley gardening services operate to reduce risk, protect health and comply with best practice. Our objective is to ensure that every operative understands their responsibilities, receives appropriate training and is supported with the correct equipment and procedures to work safely.

Scope and Purpose

This health and safety policy applies to all Wembley gardeners, subcontractors and temporary workers engaged in garden maintenance, landscaping, pruning, turf care, hedge cutting and related outdoor services. The purpose is to identify hazards, implement controls and continuously improve safety performance. The policy promotes a culture where safety considerations are integral to planning, routine work and emergency response for garden care in Wembley and surrounding service areas.

Responsibilities

Management takes overall responsibility for ensuring a safe workplace by providing resources, appointing competent supervisors and maintaining records. Individual operatives are required to follow safe systems of work, wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and report near misses and hazards. Supervisors must conduct pre-work briefings, risk assessments and oversee safe equipment use. Visitors and clients must be informed of site-specific risks when necessary.

Risk Assessment and Controls Regular risk assessments identify hazards such as manual handling, use of powered tools, ladder work, exposure to chemicals and uneven ground. Control measures include substitution of hazardous substances where possible, engineering controls (guards, stabilisers), administrative controls (rotating tasks, work/rest schedules) and the provision of PPE such as gloves, eye protection, hearing protection and sturdy footwear. A hierarchy of controls is applied to reduce risk as far as reasonably practicable.

Training and Competence: All operatives receive induction and ongoing training appropriate to their role. Training covers safe operation of mowing equipment, chainsaws, strimmers and blowers, safe ladder and access use, pesticide handling where required, first aid and emergency procedures. Competence is assessed through observation, practical checks and refresher sessions. We ensure that anyone supervising or carrying out specialist tasks holds relevant certifications and understands job-specific safe work methods.

Equipment and Maintenance Garden machinery and tools are inspected before use and maintained according to manufacturer instructions. Faulty equipment is taken out of service and repaired by authorised personnel. Fuel handling and storage procedures are in place to prevent fire risks. Battery-powered tools are charged and stored safely to avoid damage or overheating. Safe manual handling techniques are emphasised to reduce strain injuries during lifting, carrying and loading of materials.

Safe Work Procedures Safe systems are documented for routine tasks including hedge cutting, tree work, turf installation and site clearance. Procedures address exclusion zones, traffic management when working near roads, public footpath considerations and segregating work areas from client use. We encourage a proactive approach where workers stop work and seek guidance if conditions are unsafe. The policy underlines that productivity never trumps safety in Wembley gardening operations.

Emergency Preparedness First aid kits and qualified first aiders are available on-site. Emergency procedures cover medical emergencies, fire and adverse weather conditions. A clear incident reporting and investigation process ensures lessons are captured and corrective actions implemented to prevent recurrence. Evacuation routes and assembly points are communicated at the start of projects and rehearsed when appropriate.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

We monitor health and safety performance through regular site inspections, toolbox talks and audits. Key metrics such as incidents, near misses and training completion rates are reviewed by management. This policy is reviewed annually or after significant events to ensure continued relevance and effectiveness. By embedding safety into the everyday practice of our Wembley gardening teams, we strive for continuous improvement and sustained compliance with evolving standards.