Gardeners Norbiton Health and Safety Policy

Gardeners Norbiton is committed to providing gardening and grounds maintenance services in a manner that safeguards the health, safety, and wellbeing of our employees, clients, visitors, contractors, and members of the public. This policy sets out the principles and procedures we follow to manage health and safety risks effectively across all projects and service locations.

Our Health and Safety Responsibilities

We accept our responsibility to plan, manage, and monitor our gardening work so that it can be carried out safely. Management is responsible for implementing this policy, providing the resources necessary to maintain safe working conditions, and reviewing performance. All employees and contractors are required to follow safe systems of work, take reasonable care of themselves and others, and report any hazards, incidents, or near misses without delay.

Legal Compliance and Continuous Improvement

Gardeners Norbiton complies with applicable health and safety legislation and recognised industry standards relevant to gardening, soft landscaping, hedge cutting, lawn care, and related services. We monitor changes to guidance and best practice and adjust our procedures accordingly. Our aim is not only to meet minimum legal requirements but to continually improve our safety performance through regular reviews, learning from experience, and open communication.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Before commencing gardening tasks, we identify and assess foreseeable hazards, including those arising from tools and machinery, manual handling, slips and trips, working at height for hedge and tree work, use of chemicals, noise, dust, and adverse weather. Where risks cannot be eliminated, we put in place proportionate control measures and clear safe systems of work. Risk assessments are reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes to work activities, equipment, or locations.

Training, Instruction, and Supervision

We ensure that all gardeners and support staff are competent to carry out their work safely. This includes initial induction covering our health and safety rules, task-specific training in the use of powered gardening equipment, refreshers when methods or tools change, and additional supervision for new or inexperienced workers. Staff are encouraged to ask questions and raise any doubts about safety before starting a task.

Tools, Machinery, and Maintenance

Gardeners Norbiton maintains all tools and machinery used for gardening services in a safe condition. Equipment is selected to be suitable for the task and environment, routinely inspected, and serviced in line with manufacturer recommendations. Defective tools are removed from use immediately until they are repaired or replaced. Only trained and authorised personnel may use powered equipment such as mowers, strimmers, blowers, hedge trimmers, and chainsaws.

Personal Protective Equipment

Where hazards cannot be adequately controlled by other means, appropriate personal protective equipment is provided and must be used. This may include safety footwear, gloves, eye and face protection, hearing protection, high visibility clothing, helmets, and respiratory protection where necessary. Staff are responsible for looking after their protective equipment, reporting damage, and ensuring it is worn whenever required by our procedures or risk assessments.

Manual Handling and Ergonomics

Gardening work often involves lifting, carrying, and repetitive movements. We take steps to reduce the risk of strains and other musculoskeletal injuries by planning work to minimise heavy or awkward loads, using trolleys or mechanical aids where possible, and training staff in safe lifting techniques. We encourage gardeners to work at a sensible pace, use correct posture, and take reasonable breaks, particularly during intensive tasks such as digging, planting, and loading green waste.

Control of Substances and Environmental Hazards

Any chemicals, fuels, or other hazardous substances used in our gardening operations are stored, handled, and applied following safety data information and relevant regulations. Where we use garden treatments, we select products and methods designed to minimise risks to people, pets, wildlife, and the wider environment. Only trained personnel may handle these products, and appropriate protective clothing and equipment will be used at all times.

Workplace, Site Access, and Public Safety

We plan our work to protect clients, neighbours, pedestrians, and other members of the public. Work areas are kept tidy and as free as possible from trip hazards such as hoses, tools, and waste. Where necessary, we use barriers, warning signs, or temporary exclusion zones during activities such as hedge trimming, tree work, or use of powered machinery. Vehicles and trailers are parked safely to avoid obstruction and to ensure safe loading and unloading of equipment.

Weather Conditions and Outdoor Working

As a gardening company, our work is carried out in a range of weather conditions. We assess the impact of heat, cold, rain, wind, and reduced visibility on our tasks and take suitable precautions. This may include postponing or adjusting work, using appropriate clothing, ensuring adequate hydration, and avoiding tasks that are unsafe in high winds or during storms, such as working at height or using certain machinery.

Accidents, Incidents, and Emergency Arrangements

Gardeners Norbiton maintains procedures for dealing with accidents, injuries, near misses, and emergencies. Staff must report all such events promptly so that appropriate first aid, medical assistance, and follow up actions can be provided. We investigate incidents to identify underlying causes and prevent recurrence. Emergency arrangements, including access routes, communication methods, and any site-specific requirements, are considered before work begins.

Consultation and Policy Review

We recognise that effective health and safety management depends on the involvement of everyone in the business. Staff are consulted on relevant matters and encouraged to suggest improvements. This health and safety policy is reviewed regularly, and at least annually, to ensure it remains suitable for the range of gardening services we provide and the areas in which we operate. Updates are communicated to all employees and contractors so that the policy is understood and applied in day to day work.