Health & Safety Policy for Gardeners Addiscombe

Gardeners Addiscombe is committed to delivering safe, reliable gardening services across its service area. This Health and Safety policy sets out the expectations we place on everyone who works for or with us, including employees, contractors and subcontractors. Safety is integral to our operations and we take a proactive approach to preventing harm, protecting property and safeguarding the environment. We use a combination of risk assessment, training and supervision to ensure that Addiscombe gardeners and visiting teams apply safe working practices every day.

Our leadership team takes ultimate responsibility for health and safety and will ensure adequate resources are provided to deliver effective risk controls. Managers and supervisors are accountable for implementing safe systems of work, ensuring maintenance of tools and machinery, and making sure personal protective equipment (PPE) is available and used appropriately. Staff are expected to take reasonable care of their own safety and that of others by following instructions and reporting hazards or unsafe acts promptly. Everyone has a role to play in creating a safe working culture.

We maintain a programme of regular risk assessments, workplace inspections and job-specific briefings to control hazards associated with garden maintenance. Key controls include:

• Pre-start risk assessments for routine and non-routine tasks
• Safe operating procedures for machinery such as mowers, strimmers and chainsaws
• PPE standards (eye, ear, hand and foot protection) and their mandatory use
• Control of hazardous substances, correct storage and labelling
• Traffic and pedestrian management where works affect access

Implementation and Safe Working Practices

Practical measures to put the policy into effect include thorough induction training for all new staff and regular refresher sessions for teams. We maintain written procedures, checklists and maintenance logs to ensure equipment issued to gardeners in Addiscombe is fit for purpose and inspected frequently. Work planning is used to eliminate unnecessary risks and to ensure that tasks requiring two or more people are properly coordinated. Clear communication and supervision are used to manage higher-risk activities and to protect members of the public who may be present in work locations.

Handling and storing of chemicals is managed through a simplified approach to hazardous substances: only necessary products are used, Safety Data Sheets are available, and operators receive instruction in safe dilution, application and disposal. Manual handling is controlled by task design, mechanical aids and team lifting where required. Safe vehicle use and secure transportation of tools and plant reduce the chance of road-related incidents when crews move between properties and green spaces.

Emergency preparedness is maintained through site-based first aid provisions, clear procedures for emergency response and evacuation, and a system for reporting incidents and near-misses. All incidents are investigated to identify root causes and to prevent recurrence. Monitoring and audit activity checks that policy requirements are followed; records of inspections, training and corrective actions are kept and reviewed periodically.

Training, Monitoring and Review

Competence is a cornerstone of our policy: staff receive task-specific training and assessments to demonstrate safe operation of equipment. Supervisors provide on-the-job coaching and ensure that less experienced team members work under adequate supervision until competence is proven. We also ensure that any third-party workers engaged by this Addiscombe gardening company meet our standards before work commences. Learning from incidents and good practice is shared across teams to strengthen performance.

Waste handling and environmental controls are integral to our approach. Garden waste is managed to reduce fire risk and contamination, and sharp or hazardous materials are segregated for safe disposal. We emphasise secure storage of fuel and chemicals, safe refuelling practices and pre-use equipment checks. Where powered equipment such as chainsaws or high-reach tools are required, specific competency evidence and additional controls are applied to protect operators and bystanders.

This policy is reviewed regularly to reflect changes in operations, equipment and feedback from monitoring activities. The goal is continuous improvement so that our Addiscombe gardening teams operate with the highest standards of care. By maintaining strong leadership, consistent supervision and an engaged workforce, we aim to minimise harm and deliver reliable gardening services that protect people and the places where we work. Safety first remains our guiding principle.