Gardeners Seven Sisters: Health and Safety Policy

The following Health and Safety policy sets out the commitment of Gardeners Seven Sisters to protect the health, safety and welfare of everyone affected by our gardening and landscaping activities. Gardeners Seven Sisters and its staff must ensure that safe working practices are followed at all times across our service area. This policy applies to all work carried out by Seven Sisters gardeners, including routine maintenance, planting, pruning, hard landscaping and waste handling.

This statement explains responsibilities, risk management, training, safe use of equipment, and the arrangements we put in place to manage hazards. It is intended to be practical and proportionate to the scale of the work undertaken by our gardening company. The purpose is to reduce risk of injury, occupational ill-health and property damage while delivering high-quality garden services for clients.

Responsibilities and Organisational Arrangements

All employees, contractors and subcontractors engaged by Seven Sisters gardening services must follow this policy. Management will ensure:
- A safe system of work is in place and reviewed regularly.
- Suitable training, instruction and supervision are provided.
- Necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) and resources are available.

The lead supervisor or team leader for Seven Sisters gardeners is responsible for carrying out site-specific risk assessments before work starts and for ensuring that any identified controls are implemented. Individual operatives must report unsafe conditions, follow control measures and not undertake tasks for which they are not competent.

Risk Assessments, Safe Systems and Training

Risk assessments must be recorded and proportionate to the activity. The assessment process will identify hazards such as slips, trips and falls, manual handling, mechanical hazards from powered equipment, falling from heights, contact with hazardous plants and exposure to chemicals. Controls will include elimination, substitution, engineering controls, safe working practices and PPE.

Training is a vital part of our safety management. All staff receive induction that covers safe working procedures, emergency response and correct use of tools. Ongoing competence checks and refresher sessions are provided. Records of training and qualifications for specific machines and tasks will be maintained.

• Equipment use: Only trained operatives will operate mowers, strimmers, chainsaws and chipper-shredders.
• Tool maintenance: Tools will be inspected before use, maintained and taken out of service if defective.
• Supervision: New or inexperienced workers will be supervised until competent.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety boots, gloves, eye protection, hearing protection and hi-vis clothing is required for relevant tasks. PPE is a control measure, not a substitute for safe systems of work, and employees must wear it as instructed. The use of appropriate clothing and weather-appropriate protective layers is expected to prevent cold or heat-related illness.

Hazardous substances, including fuels, pesticides, herbicides and solvents, will be managed under an appropriate hazardous substances regime. Material Safety Data Sheets (or equivalent) will be available and operatives instructed in safe storage, handling and spill control. Only authorised products will be used and accurately labelled.

Vehicle, plant and tool safety: Vehicles used in service delivery will be maintained and driven by authorised persons. Machinery guards and safety devices must not be removed. Work on or near roads or public footpaths will be planned to minimise risk to the public and staff, and to comply with relevant traffic management guidance.

Incident reporting, first aid and emergency arrangements: All incidents, near-misses and injuries must be reported promptly and recorded. Qualified first-aiders and adequate first-aid supplies will be available on jobs of significant risk. Emergency procedures, including fire and medical response, will be communicated to staff and contractors.

Manual handling: Regular manual handling assessments will be completed to reduce lifting and carrying risks. Mechanical aids must be used where practical. Staff will be trained in safe lifting techniques; they must seek help for heavy or awkward loads. Health surveillance will be provided where risk assessments identify the need.

Monitoring and review: The policy will be reviewed at least annually or following significant changes to work methods, incidents or legislation. Routine site inspections, audits and toolbox talks are used to verify compliance. Non-compliance will be addressed through corrective actions, which may include retraining or disciplinary measures if required to protect health and safety.

Communication: Clear channels of communication between office staff, supervisors and operatives ensure that risk information and safe working instructions are passed to those who need them. Meetings and safety briefings will be held regularly to reinforce safe behaviours.

Policy implementation and continuous improvement: The management team of Seven Sisters gardening services is committed to providing the resources needed to implement this policy. We will work with employees to eliminate hazards, reduce risks and foster a strong safety culture. Staff input is encouraged to identify improvements.

Review and approval: This policy is authorised by company management and will be maintained as a living document, updated in response to operational feedback, technological change and best practice developments within the gardening and landscaping industry.