Health & Safety Policy — Gardening Limehouse

Purpose: This Health and Safety Policy sets out the commitment of Gardening Limehouse and associated lawn and garden teams to protect the health, safety and welfare of employees, contractors, clients and members of the public while delivering gardening services in the local service area. It applies to all routine garden maintenance, landscaping, planting, hedge and tree work, and site preparation activities carried out by Limehouse gardening teams and subcontractors.

Scope and Responsibilities

Scope: The policy covers operational practices, vehicle and plant use, manual handling, use of chemicals and pesticides, waste management, and interactions with customers and the public. Gardening services Limehouse activities must be planned to minimise risk at every stage.

Management Commitment: Management will ensure that sufficient resources, supervision and training are provided to maintain safe working conditions. All team leaders and supervisors are responsible for implementing safety processes, ensuring staff wear appropriate PPE, and that risk assessments are current and accessible. Staff have a duty to follow instructions, report hazards and participate in safety briefings.

Risk Assessment and Site Control

Risk assessments must be completed before work begins and reviewed regularly. Assessments will identify hazards such as uneven ground, buried services, overhead power lines, traffic, and public access. Control measures will include exclusion zones, signage, safe segregation of work areas, and the use of trained spotters where necessary to protect the public and operatives during Limehouse garden maintenance.

PPE and Equipment: Operatives must wear appropriate personal protective equipment including gloves, eye and ear protection, high-visibility clothing and suitable footwear. Machinery such as mowers, strimmers, chainsaws and chippers will be operated only by trained personnel with documented competency. Regular maintenance and safety checks are mandatory to prevent mechanical failures. Tools and equipment must be stored securely when not in use to prevent unauthorised access.

Safe Use of Substances and COSHH Principles: Chemicals, fuels and fertilizers will be stored and handled safely. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) or equivalent information will be available for substances used by the team. Staff will be trained in safe mixing, application and disposal of chemicals to reduce exposure risks and environmental impact while conducting gardening work in Limehouse and surrounding zones.

Manual Handling and Working at Height: Manual handling tasks will be assessed to avoid unnecessary lifting. Mechanical aids will be used wherever practicable. When working at height for pruning, roofline work or installing features, operatives will follow safe systems of work, use harnesses, ladders or scaffolding appropriate to the task, and ensure that ground conditions and weather are suitable.

Traffic Management and Public Safety: Where work is performed near roads, pavements or public spaces, appropriate traffic control measures, cones and signage will be used. Vehicles and trailers will be parked to minimise obstruction. Limehouse gardeners will keep footpaths clear, manage trimmings and debris promptly and communicate with neighbours to reduce hazards to passersby.

Emergency Procedures and Incident Reporting: First aid arrangements and emergency procedures are in place on every site. Employees must report all incidents, near misses and unsafe conditions immediately to their supervisor. Accidents are investigated to identify root causes and actions are taken to prevent recurrence. Regular drills and first-aid training ensure teams remain prepared.

Training, Communication and Competence

Staff competence is central to this policy. Induction training, periodic refresher training, and task-specific instruction are provided. Toolbox talks are conducted regularly to reinforce safe work practices. Contractors and temporary staff must demonstrate competency and understand site-specific risks before starting work. Gardening Limehouse promotes a culture of open communication on safety matters.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

The policy, risk assessments and safe systems of work are reviewed at planned intervals and after significant changes to operations or following incidents. Audits and site inspections are carried out to monitor compliance. Performance indicators such as incident rates, near misses and corrective actions drive continuous improvement of health and safety standards in Limehouse garden services.

Implementation: The success of this policy depends on shared responsibility. Everyone on site must follow procedures, wear the required PPE, and stop work if a task cannot be done safely. Management will support staff with resources and leadership to maintain high safety standards. This policy supports the delivery of safe, reliable and professional gardening and landscape services across the service area operated by Gardening Limehouse.