Health & Safety Policy — Gardening Battersea

Gardening Battersea is committed to maintaining the highest standards of health and safety across all garden care and landscaping activities. This policy sets out the general approach and the key responsibilities for safe working, emphasising risk reduction, competence, and continuous improvement. Our aim is to protect staff, subcontractors, clients and members of the public while delivering reliable Battersea gardening service and garden maintenance across our service area.

We recognise that effective safety management involves hazard identification, clear allocation of duties, appropriate supervision and adequate resources. The company will ensure that hazards are systematically assessed and that suitable controls are implemented. All employees are expected to cooperate with safety measures, report unsafe conditions promptly, and take a proactive approach to preventing accidents.

A core principle of our approach is to integrate safety into every job, from simple lawn mowing to complex planting schemes. This includes planning, method statements where required, and clear communication before work begins. We carry out regular site checks and adapt our controls to reflect seasonal risks such as wet surfaces, leaf fall, or increased public use of spaces.

Responsibilities and Training

Management has overall responsibility for policy implementation and will ensure that suitable training and supervision are provided. Line managers must ensure that team members are competent for the tasks they undertake and that records of training, certifications and toolbox talks are kept up to date. Employees are responsible for using safety equipment properly and following safe systems of work.

We provide induction training, job-specific instruction and ongoing refresher sessions. Training covers equipment operation, manual handling, safe pesticide use where necessary, first aid awareness, and traffic risk for operations close to highways. Competence is assessed and additional coaching is offered where gaps are identified. Staff are encouraged to raise concerns through designated safety channels.

Safe use of machinery and tools is emphasised. All power tools and mechanical equipment are inspected before use, maintained in line with manufacturer recommendations, and subject to documented checks. Personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, eye protection, ear defenders and high-visibility clothing are provided and must be worn where required.

Risk Assessment, Controls and Safe Work Practices

Formal risk assessments are carried out for routine and non-routine tasks. Typical controls include exclusion zones for machinery, correct guarding, use of secure ladders, and safe storage of hazardous substances. We maintain an inventory of any chemicals used and apply the principles of substitution and minimisation. Control measures are recorded and reviewed after incidents or significant changes to work patterns.

Our operational standards incorporate the following practical measures:

• Pre-start checks for vehicles and trailers, secure load practices, and safe towing procedures.
• Clear segregation of pedestrian routes where gardening works are adjacent to public access.
• Strict procedures for the handling, transport and disposal of green waste and chemical containers.
• Permits for any hot works or activities that might increase fire risk, with suitable fire-fighting equipment on site.

Emergency arrangements are in place across all operations. This includes prompt incident reporting, accessible first aid kits, trained first aiders, and procedures to summon external assistance if needed. Incidents and near-misses are investigated to identify root causes and to prevent recurrence. Lessons learned are shared with teams and incorporated into training and method statements.

Contractors and subcontractors engaged by Gardening Battersea must adhere to this policy and demonstrate suitable competence and insurance. We expect partners to operate to comparable safety standards and to share information about hazards that may affect joint activities. Regular monitoring ensures that standards are maintained and that any substandard practices are corrected.

Monitoring and review form a continuous cycle: site inspections, audits, and performance reviews are used to measure compliance. Statistical and qualitative information from incident reports, near-miss records and inspection findings informs management reviews. The policy is updated when there are changes in operations, equipment or legislation that materially affect safety.

Finally, Gardening Battersea fosters a safety culture based on respect, open communication and shared responsibility. Staff welfare, including mental health awareness and workload management, is considered part of our health and safety commitment. By embedding these values, the company ensures safe, high-quality garden services and sustainable practices across its service area.