Health and Safety Policy — Gardening Wimbledon

Purpose: This Health and Safety Policy sets out the commitment of Gardening Wimbledon and associated garden maintenance teams to protect employees, clients, contractors and the public when delivering garden care and landscaping services. The policy explains how safe working practices, risk assessment and ongoing training are used to reduce harm across all service activities, from routine garden maintenance to specialist garden design and tree work. Our approach is practical, measurable and designed to support safe gardening services in Wimbledon and neighbouring communities while prioritising environmental stewardship.

Responsibility for implementing this policy rests with senior management and site supervisors. Every operative engaged by our gardening company must follow safe systems of work and use provided protective equipment correctly. Key objectives include reducing workplace incidents, maintaining plant and equipment in safe condition, controlling hazardous substances, and ensuring clear communication of hazards. All staff are required to cooperate with supervision, attend safety briefings and report unsafe conditions immediately.

Core principles and commitments

We base our safety management on recognised best practice for landscape and grounds maintenance, focusing on prevention, protection and continuous improvement. Our core commitments are:

• Risk assessment: Identify hazards and implement proportionate controls before work starts.
• PPE and equipment: Provide and require appropriate personal protective equipment and safe machinery operation.
• Training: Ensure staff have skills, supervision and certifications relevant to their roles.

Risk assessments are completed for each type of work we undertake, including hedge cutting, lawn treatments, planting, pruning and use of powered tools. Assessments consider the work environment, client property, pedestrian access and any vulnerable people nearby. Where residual risk remains, additional controls such as exclusion zones, signage and spotters are used. Supervisors carry a copy of the task-specific assessment on site and update controls when conditions change.

Training, competence and supervision

Staff competence is central to safe operations. We provide induction training, toolbox talks and hands-on coaching for new and existing team members. Competence ranges from basic garden maintenance skills to specialist qualifications for machinery and chemical handling. Supervisors monitor performance, correct unsafe behaviour, and record training outcomes. Apprenticeships and continuous professional development for Wimbledon gardeners are encouraged to raise standards across the workforce.

All machinery and tools are inspected before use and maintained according to manufacturer guidance. Powered equipment is fitted with safety features and only operated by trained personnel. Fuel, batteries and lubricants are stored securely and handled with care. For chemical use such as weed control, we follow product safety data sheets, limit application to trained staff and use controls to prevent drift or runoff, protecting people, pets and watercourses.

Emergency preparedness includes provision of first aid supplies on vehicles and at key sites, staff trained in first aid, and clear procedures for contacting emergency services. Incident reporting is mandatory for all accidents, near misses and property damage. Reports are reviewed to identify trends and corrective actions. Corrective measures are documented and implemented promptly to reduce recurrence.

Client responsibilities and site cooperation

Clients and property owners are requested to share essential information about site conditions, known hazards and any vulnerable users on site before work begins. While Gardening Wimbledon accepts responsibility for safe delivery of services, cooperation from clients helps ensure risks are managed effectively. Job-specific safe systems of work are agreed in writing where needed, particularly for complex or high-risk tasks.

Monitoring, review and continuous improvement

We monitor health and safety performance through site inspections, audits and regular review meetings. Performance indicators include incident rates, completion of risk assessments, equipment inspection records and staff training logs. This policy is reviewed annually or when there are significant changes in work activities, personnel or equipment. Management commits to providing adequate resources to implement improvements and to keep the policy relevant to practical gardening operations.

Environmental protection and waste management: Sustainable gardening practices are integrated into our safety approach. Waste is separated, recycled where possible and disposed of responsibly. Chemicals are used sparingly, with preference for low-toxicity alternatives, and spill response plans are in place to protect soil and drains. Our teams are trained to recognise and mitigate environmental risks during routine maintenance and landscape projects.

Incident reporting and corrective action: All occurrences that affect health or safety are reported through an internal system. Investigations focus on root causes and practical corrective actions. We communicate lessons learned to staff to reduce repeat incidents and strengthen site controls for Wimbledon gardeners and landscape teams working across our service area.

Policy ownership: This policy is owned by senior management and is available to all staff. It represents the minimum standard of care for our gardening services and is supported by written procedures and records. By adhering to this policy, Gardening Wimbledon aims to deliver high-quality garden care safely and responsibly, protect people and the environment and to continually improve health and safety performance across every contract and maintenance visit.