Health & Safety Policy — Gardeners Enfield

Gardeners Enfield is committed to maintaining a safe working environment for employees, contractors and clients while delivering professional garden maintenance and landscaping services. This policy sets out our approach to preventing accidents, protecting health and ensuring that all work is carried out safely and responsibly across our service area. Our gardening team applies consistent standards to every site, whether routine maintenance, planting, hedge trimming or landscape construction.

We recognise that safety management is an integral part of good business practice. The company will ensure that risks are identified and controlled, that staff are trained and supervised, and that equipment is maintained to a high standard. Everyone engaged by our garden services is expected to follow this policy and contribute to a culture of safety and continuous improvement.

Policy Objectives

The primary objectives of this policy are to: prevent injury, minimise occupational ill-health, avoid damage to client property and reduce environmental impact from our activities. To achieve these aims we will:

• Carry out systematic risk assessments before work starts and when conditions change.
• Provide appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and ensure its correct use.
• Ensure safe systems of work are implemented for hazardous tasks such as chainsawing, pesticide use and working at height.

Responsibilities are clearly defined at every level. Senior management holds overall accountability for health and safety policy and will allocate necessary resources. Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for implementing safe systems of work on site. Individual gardeners must work safely, report hazards and cooperate with training and monitoring activities. Everyone has the right and duty to stop work if they consider it unsafe.

Risk assessment is central to our approach. Before starting any job our operatives evaluate hazards such as uneven ground, overhead services, underground utilities, steep slopes, proximity to public footpaths and vehicular access. Where chemical treatments are required, we use COSHH-based controls: substitution, minimised use, correct storage and disposal, and clear information for staff and clients.

Safe Work Practices

Our practical controls include regular equipment inspections, scheduled maintenance for power tools and machinery, clear exclusion zones during powered operations and the use of appropriate lifting techniques and mechanical aids for heavy materials. We enforce the use of PPE such as gloves, eye protection, hearing protection and high-visibility clothing when warranted by task risk assessments.

Training and competence are essential. We provide induction sessions for all new staff, job-specific training for machinery and chemical handling, and refresher courses. We maintain records of qualifications, licences and training relevant to our horticultural and landscaping operations. Supervisors conduct toolbox talks and on-site briefings to reinforce safe methods and to address changing conditions.

Emergency preparedness covers first aid provision, incident reporting and clear procedures for dealing with significant events such as serious injury, fire, chemical spillage or extreme weather. We keep first aid kits on vehicles and at depots, and ensure at least one trained first aider is accessible for every work crew. All incidents, including near-misses, are recorded, investigated and used to prevent recurrence.

Environmental & Waste Management — We commit to practices that reduce environmental harm. This includes appropriate disposal of green waste, safe handling and storage of fuels and chemicals, and measures to protect soil and watercourses. Machinery is serviced to limit emissions and leaks, and we prefer environmentally friendly products where effective and safe.

Vehicle and Traffic Safety

Our teams operate vans and trailers across the local service area. Drivers must hold valid licences, perform daily vehicle checks and secure loads correctly. When working near roads, we set up clear signage, cones and other controls to protect staff and the public. Route planning and schedule management reduce rushed driving and associated risks.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

We monitor health and safety performance using inspections, audits and reviews of incident data. This policy is reviewed at least annually or after a significant change in our operations. Where improvements are identified we will implement corrective actions promptly. Continuous improvement ensures our garden services remain safe, reliable and aligned with best practice.

Commitment — Gardeners Enfield maintains an open approach to safety: promoting reporting, learning from experience and actively involving teams in developing safer ways of working. By combining clear responsibilities, effective training, robust risk management and ongoing review we aim to protect people, property and the environment while delivering quality horticultural services.

Key Points Summary

• Management lead with clear responsibility and resource allocation.
• Risk assessments conducted before and during work.
• Mandatory PPE, maintained equipment and safe work systems.
• Training, incident reporting and emergency procedures in place.
• Environmental stewardship and waste controls integrated into operations.

This policy applies across our operational area for the gardening and landscaping services we provide and supports a culture where safety is integral to how we work. It will be communicated to staff and made available to clients on request.

Signed on behalf of the company: Management Team — Gardeners Enfield. Policy review date: recorded in company records and updated as needed to reflect operational changes.