Health & Safety Policy for Gardening Services Balham

Introduction: This Health and Safety Policy sets out the commitments of our gardening company in Balham and the obligations of staff and contractors who deliver residential and commercial Balham gardening services. The purpose is to maintain safe, healthy working conditions for everyone involved in garden maintenance, landscape works and seasonal projects. Our aim is to prevent injury and ill health, and to ensure operations run efficiently while protecting the public and clients' property.

We apply a risk-based approach to every job, recognising that a small garden clearance differs from larger landscaping tasks. The policy covers hazard identification, risk assessment, training, equipment maintenance and reporting. Employees must follow safe systems of work and wear appropriate personal protective equipment. Our company promotes a culture where safety is integrated into daily planning for all gardening services in Balham.

Scope: This policy applies to all staff, regular contractors and temporary workers engaged by the gardening firm. It also informs clients and site visitors of our standards for safe operations. Activities covered include mowing, hedge cutting, tree works (where applicable), planting, pruning, compost handling and use of power tools. We assess tasks for specific local site conditions while avoiding unnecessary local legal detail in this document.

Responsibilities

Management is responsible for providing resources to implement this policy, including training, supervision and maintenance of equipment. Supervisors must ensure risk assessments are current and control measures are followed. Individual staff are responsible for taking reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others, reporting hazards and cooperating with safety systems. Strong leadership helps embed safety in everyday activities offered by our Balham garden maintenance teams.

We expect contractors to demonstrate competency and to provide evidence of safe working practices before commencing work. Regular reviews and toolbox talks are used to reinforce safe behaviours. Near-miss reporting and incident reporting are encouraged to capture improvement opportunities. This is part of our commitment to continuous improvement across all local gardening operations.

Risk Control Measures

Control measures include, but are not limited to:

• Pre-work risk assessments and method statements for high-risk activities.
• Use of appropriate PPE such as gloves, eye protection, hearing protection and safety boots.
• Regular maintenance and inspection of handheld and powered equipment.
• Traffic and public exclusion measures where works affect footpaths or driveways.
• Safe storage and handling procedures for fuels, chemicals and composts.

Training and Competence: Staff receive induction training that covers general safe working, manual handling, tool operation and emergency procedures. Competence checks are carried out before staff operate specialist machinery. We also support ongoing development through refresher courses and practical mentoring. Competent personnel ensure that Balham gardening work is performed safely and in line with client expectations.

Emergency arrangements are in place, including first-aid provision, access to emergency services and clear instructions for dealing with serious incidents. Recording and investigating incidents help identify root causes and prevent recurrence. Our approach is pragmatic: firm procedures supported by a culture that values safety over speed.

Monitoring and Review: Performance is monitored through inspections, audits and review meetings. Corrective actions are implemented where issues are found. We review the policy periodically and when there are changes to operations, equipment or legislation. All staff are informed of revisions to ensure the policy remains current and effective for garden services across the local service area.

Maintenance of Equipment and PPE: Tools and machinery are subject to scheduled checks and servicing to prevent mechanical failures that could lead to injury. Records of maintenance and safety checks are retained and accessible to supervisors. Personal protective equipment is provided and must be used according to task-specific risk assessments. Lessons learned from incidents feed into improvements in equipment choices and workplace controls.

Client and Public Safety: When working on client properties or in public spaces, our teams take additional precautions to protect non-workers. This includes safe exclusion zones, clear signage and respectful conduct to minimise disruption. We ensure that operations by our gardening specialists uphold the reputation of the company and reduce risks to neighbours and passersby.

Conclusion: This policy is a clear statement of how our gardening business manages health and safety across its operations. It provides a concise framework for safe working practices and continuous improvement. Staff, contractors and clients are expected to support and comply with the policy to achieve safe, sustainable and professional gardening services in Balham and the surrounding service area.