Health and Safety Policy — Gardening Services New Cross
Purpose: This Health and Safety policy sets out the commitment of Gardening Services New Cross and affiliated maintenance teams to protect the health, safety and welfare of employees, contractors, visitors and members of the public when carrying out garden maintenance, landscaping and groundskeeping work. The policy applies to all garden maintenance New Cross operations, whether routine lawn care, hedge trimming, soft landscaping or seasonal clearance. It defines responsibilities, outlines safe working practices and describes systems for incident reporting, risk assessment and ongoing training.
The policy emphasises hazard identification and risk control at the planning stage for every job. Managers and supervisors must ensure that relevant risk assessments and method statements are prepared for each contract and for recurring tasks such as tree work, pesticide application and use of mobile plant. Staff are required to follow control measures, wear appropriate PPE and report unsafe conditions. Where specialist contractors are engaged, they must provide evidence of their safety management systems and proof of competency before work begins.
Scope and application: This policy covers all roles and operations of the New Cross gardening teams, including subcontracted landscaping crews and ad hoc site visits. It includes vehicle and equipment operations, manual handling, working at height on ladders, use of power tools (strimmers, chainsaws, hedge cutters), chemical handling, and interaction with utilities and traffic. The aim is to reduce incidents, avoid harm and maintain continuity of service for clients across the service area while respecting local conditions and environmental considerations.
Key responsibilities
Management has overall responsibility for implementing and monitoring the health and safety policy. Supervisors must ensure that staff receive induction and refresher training for horticultural tasks, machinery operation and first aid. Employees have a duty to work safely, use PPE, follow safe systems and report near misses. New Cross gardening services teams should be encouraged to participate in safety meetings and to suggest practical improvements to procedures.
Training and competence: All operatives will receive task-specific instruction and training proportionate to their duties. Training includes safe equipment use, manual handling techniques, pesticide safety where applicable, chainsaw and pole pruner competency, and basic first aid. Training records are kept centrally and supervisors will schedule refresher sessions. Apprentices and new starters must work under direct supervision until formally assessed as competent.
Safe systems of work: Before starting work, supervisors will perform a dynamic risk assessment to identify hazards such as hidden services, unstable trees, pests, poisonous plants or hazardous waste. Control measures include exclusion zones, use of spotters for traffic, securing ladders, harness use where appropriate, and lock-off/tag-out procedures for powered equipment. Garden safety New Cross operations must never commence without confirming emergency access and communication arrangements.
Personal protective equipment and equipment maintenance
PPE requirements are defined by task and include gloves, eye and hearing protection, hi-vis clothing, steel-toe boots and chainsaw protective trousers where needed. Equipment must be inspected daily, maintained according to manufacturer guidance and removed from service if defective. Only trained personnel may carry out repairs; otherwise equipment should be returned to a qualified technician. Records of maintenance and inspections will be retained.
Emergency procedures and first aid: First aid arrangements are provided for each site or mobile working area. Teams will carry a basic first aid kit and know procedures for contacting emergency services. In the event of an incident, staff must secure the scene, provide first aid within their competence and report the event through internal reporting systems. Where a serious incident occurs, an investigation will be carried out to identify corrective actions and prevent recurrence.
Monitoring, review and continuous improvement: Health and safety performance for the gardening service will be monitored through site inspections, toolbox talks, incident records and periodic audits. The policy will be reviewed at least annually or after significant incidents, changes to equipment or working practices. The aim is continuous improvement and to ensure that gardening services in New Cross remain safe, efficient and sustainable.
- Risk assessment: Conducted for each job and updated for unexpected hazards.
- Safe plant operation: Only competent operators, pre-use checks and clear exclusion zones.
- Chemical safety: Use only approved products with safe handling procedures; COSHH-style information kept on file.
- Workforce wellbeing: Promote hydration, rest breaks and protection from extreme weather.
Conclusion: Gardening Services New Cross commits to protecting people and property by applying sensible precautions, training staff effectively and maintaining clear communication across teams. This health and safety policy underpins everyday operations for landscaping, maintenance and green-space management across our service area. Adherence to these principles helps deliver consistent, safe and professional garden care while minimising risk to workers and the community.
