Gardeners Merton Park Health and Safety Policy

This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles and procedures followed by Gardeners Merton Park to protect the health, safety and welfare of our employees, contractors, clients, visitors and members of the public who may be affected by our gardening and grounds maintenance activities.

Our aim is to deliver high quality gardening services while preventing injury, ill health, property damage and environmental harm. This policy applies to all work undertaken by Gardeners Merton Park at domestic gardens, communal grounds and commercial outdoor spaces.

Health and Safety Objectives

Gardeners Merton Park is committed to maintaining safe systems of work and to continuously improving our health and safety performance. Our key objectives are to:

Identify, assess and control health and safety risks arising from our gardening and grounds maintenance activities.

Comply with all relevant health and safety legislation, approved codes of practice and industry guidance for outdoor and horticultural work.

Provide and maintain safe equipment, tools and machinery suitable for gardening tasks.

Ensure staff receive information, instruction, supervision and training appropriate to their duties and level of responsibility.

Promote a positive safety culture where all personnel take responsibility for their own safety and that of others.

Review this policy regularly to ensure that it remains effective and aligned with current best practice.

Roles and Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for health and safety within Gardeners Merton Park rests with the company management. Management will ensure that this policy is implemented, resources are available and health and safety standards are monitored and reviewed.

Supervisors are responsible for planning and overseeing gardening tasks so that they are carried out safely and efficiently, making sure that staff understand safe working procedures and use protective equipment correctly.

All employees and contractors have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. They must follow all safety instructions, report hazards or incidents promptly and cooperate with any measures introduced to improve safety.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Before starting work, appropriate risk assessments are carried out to identify potential hazards associated with gardening activities, including use of cutting tools, powered machinery, working at height, manual handling, exposure to chemicals and weather conditions.

Control measures are put in place to reduce risks to an acceptable level. Where necessary, written method statements and safe systems of work are developed, taking account of site conditions, client requirements and the nature of the tasks.

Risk assessments are reviewed periodically and when there are changes to work processes, equipment or locations. Staff are made aware of the significant findings of risk assessments relevant to their work.

Gardening Tools, Machinery and Equipment

Gardeners Merton Park ensures that all tools, machinery and equipment used in gardening and grounds maintenance are suitable for their intended purpose and are maintained in a safe condition.

Equipment is inspected regularly, serviced in accordance with manufacturer instructions and removed from use if found to be defective. Guards, safety devices and controls must never be removed or bypassed.

Only trained and authorised personnel are permitted to operate powered machinery such as lawnmowers, hedge trimmers, leaf blowers, chainsaws and other specialist equipment used in garden care and landscape work.

Personal Protective Equipment

Where risks cannot be fully eliminated by other means, personal protective equipment is provided and must be worn as required. This may include safety footwear, gloves, eye and hearing protection, high visibility clothing, respiratory protection and weather appropriate clothing for outdoor work.

Staff are responsible for using protective equipment correctly, reporting any defects and looking after items issued to them. Management ensures that all personal protective equipment meets appropriate standards and is replaced when damaged or worn.

Manual Handling and Working Practices

Many gardening tasks involve lifting, carrying and moving tools, plants, soil, waste and landscaping materials. Gardeners Merton Park seeks to reduce manual handling risks by using mechanical aids where possible, planning deliveries and minimising the need for carrying heavy loads over long distances.

Staff receive guidance on safe lifting techniques, team handling and the importance of avoiding awkward postures and overreaching when pruning, digging, planting or operating machinery.

Work is organised so that rest breaks and task rotation help reduce fatigue and the risk of strains or repetitive injuries.

Chemical and Biological Hazards

Where gardening tasks involve the use of fertilisers, weed control products, fuels or other substances, Gardeners Merton Park follows relevant safety data information and control of substances procedures. Only trained personnel are permitted to handle and apply such materials, and appropriate storage, handling and disposal arrangements are in place.

Staff are also made aware of potential biological hazards such as soil contaminants, plant allergens, sharp thorns and insect stings, and are instructed in measures to reduce risk, such as wearing gloves, using tools correctly and washing hands before eating or drinking.

Work at Height and Access

Pruning, tree work and property maintenance may require work at height using ladders, platforms or access equipment. Such work is planned in advance and is only carried out by competent personnel using appropriate equipment in good condition.

Ladders are used only for short duration tasks and are secured and positioned safely. Where a higher level of risk is identified, more secure access systems are used. Falling object risks are controlled by establishing exclusion zones where necessary.

Traffic, Public Safety and Site Security

When working in gardens and outdoor spaces, consideration is given to the safety of clients, neighbours, visitors and the general public. Work areas are kept tidy, with tools and materials stored safely to prevent trips and other accidents.

Where vehicles, trailers or machinery are used near roads, driveways or footpaths, appropriate precautions are taken to manage traffic risks. This may include clear positioning of vehicles, use of warning signs and maintaining clear pedestrian routes.

Training, Information and Supervision

Gardeners Merton Park provides training and instruction to ensure that staff understand the hazards associated with gardening work and the control measures in place. Induction training, on the job coaching and periodic refresher sessions are used to maintain competence.

Supervision is provided at a level appropriate to the experience of the staff and the complexity of the tasks. Any changes in equipment or working methods are accompanied by updated information and training where required.

Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, near misses and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management as soon as possible. This enables appropriate first aid, investigation and action to prevent recurrence. Records of incidents are maintained and reviewed to identify patterns and opportunities for improvement.

Staff are briefed on emergency procedures, including what to do in the event of an injury, fire, fuel or chemical spill or other serious incident. Suitable first aid provisions are maintained and vehicles are equipped with basic emergency supplies appropriate to gardening work.

Policy Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes to legislation, company activities or work practices. Gardeners Merton Park is committed to learning from experience, listening to feedback from staff and clients and updating procedures to maintain high standards of safety during all gardening and grounds maintenance operations.

By working together and following the principles set out in this policy, Gardeners Merton Park seeks to provide a safe, healthy and professional gardening service for everyone involved.