Health & Safety Policy for Gardening Ruislip

Policy Statement and Scope

This Health and Safety policy sets out the commitment of Gardening Ruislip and associated teams to provide safe garden maintenance, landscaping and horticultural services across our service area. The policy applies to all staff, contractors and visitors involved in garden care in Ruislip and nearby neighbourhoods, and it outlines the systems we use to manage risks and protect people, property and the environment.

Our approach focuses on practical, proportionate controls based on regular risk assessment, competent supervision and appropriate resourcing. Ruislip gardening operations are planned to reduce hazards at source, maintain safe plant and equipment, and ensure every operative understands their responsibilities. This policy underpins daily job planning, site setup and ongoing monitoring.

The document covers key areas including training, personal protective equipment (PPE), safe use of machinery, chemical handling, manual handling and public safety during works. It also describes how incidents are reported and how continuous improvement is achieved. Garden maintenance Ruislip teams are expected to follow these arrangements whenever they work on domestic gardens, communal areas or commercial grounds.

Roles, Responsibilities and Training

Individual accountability is central: managers must ensure that staff receive induction and refresher training tailored to their duties; operatives must follow safe systems of work; and supervisors must monitor compliance. We emphasise competence in the use of strimmers, mowers, chainsaws, hedge cutters and other powered tools used by Ruislip gardeners.

Training includes safe machine operation, basic first aid, manual handling techniques and the safe application and storage of garden chemicals. Staff records detail training and certification. New employees receive a thorough induction on company policies and site-specific hazards before they begin fieldwork.

Key Controls and Safe Working Practices

We implement a range of control measures to keep work safe and predictable:

• Risk assessments: Regular assessments for each job and site-specific checks before work begins.
• PPE: Provision and mandatory use of gloves, eye protection, ear protection, steel-toe boots and hi-vis where required.
• Equipment maintenance: Scheduled servicing, pre-start checks and prompt removal of defective machinery from service.
• Chemical safety: Secure storage, clear labeling, COSHH-based handling procedures and use of appropriate PPE.
• Traffic and public safety: Cordons, signage and safe access arrangements to protect members of the public during works.

Manual handling and working at height are common hazards in garden work. Teams are trained to lift safely, use mechanical aids when needed and employ secure ladders or platforms. Where pruning or roofing tasks are required, supervisors ensure a safe method statement is in place and fall-prevention measures are used. Garden care in Ruislip operations avoid unsafe shortcuts and prioritise controlled, documented methods.

Emergency procedures are in place to respond to incidents, injuries and environmental spills. First aid kits and communication arrangements are available on-site, and all staff know how to summon assistance. Incident response includes preserving evidence for investigation, supporting injured persons and taking rapid corrective action to prevent recurrence.

We operate an incident reporting and review system so that every near miss and accident is recorded, investigated and used as a learning opportunity. Corrective actions are tracked to completion and shared with teams to strengthen safe working across all gardening services in Ruislip.

Contractor and visitor control ensures that anyone who comes onto a site understands and complies with this health and safety policy. Subcontractors engaged for specialist tasks must demonstrate equivalent standards, hold appropriate insurance and provide risk assessments and method statements for high-risk activities.

Monitoring and performance measurement are conducted through regular site audits, toolbox talks and supervisor spot checks. Key performance indicators include training currency, equipment inspection completion rates and reduction in incidents. Managers review performance and resource improvements where gaps are identified.

Communication and staff involvement are critical to success: we hold periodic safety meetings, encourage reporting of hazards and ensure feedback channels remain open. The policy promotes a positive safety culture where every team member feels empowered to speak up if they observe unsafe conditions during landscaping or routine garden maintenance.

Environmental protection is integrated into our safety approach: spill prevention plans, responsible waste disposal and the careful application of pesticides and fertilizers minimise ecological impacts. We balance efficient garden maintenance with stewardship of green spaces and biodiversity.

Review and continuous improvement: this Health & Safety policy is maintained as a live document and reviewed annually or sooner after significant incidents or operational changes. Updates are communicated to all staff and incorporated into training and site procedures to reflect evolving best practice in the gardening industry.

In summary, Gardening Ruislip is committed to reducing risks and delivering safe, reliable garden services. By combining clear leadership, competent teams, appropriate controls and active monitoring, we aim to protect our people, clients and the public while delivering high-quality horticultural work across our service area.