Health & Safety Policy — Gardening Services Northolt
This Health and Safety Policy explains the commitment of Gardening Services Northolt to protect the health, safety and welfare of our employees, clients and members of the public. It covers all routine and non-routine activities carried out by our team, from routine garden maintenance to landscaping and grounds care. The purpose of this document is to set out clear responsibilities, practical controls and continuous improvement measures so that every member of our workforce understands safe working standards when delivering Northolt gardening services and nearby area work.
Policy scope and principles
The policy applies to everyone engaged in our gardening company in Northolt whether they are permanent staff, temporary operatives, subcontractors or visitors. We will carry out risk assessments, provide appropriate training and maintain equipment so that hazards are eliminated or controlled. Our core principles are: prevention of injury and ill health, lawful and responsible operation, transparent communication and active involvement of staff in safety matters. Safety is a primary consideration in planning work, selecting tools and scheduling tasks.
All staff and supervisory personnel are expected to follow safe systems of work, report hazards promptly and use suitable personal protective equipment. We will not accept cutting corners that compromise safety during garden maintenance Northolt projects, green space revitalisation or tree care operations. This document provides a practical framework rather than an exhaustive list of procedures; further site-specific controls are added to project risk assessments where required.
Risk assessment and control measures form the backbone of our approach. Before commencing any landscaping or grounds maintenance task our supervisors will carry out and record a formal risk assessment that identifies hazards, estimates risk and sets out control measures. Controls include substitution of hazardous methods where possible, use of mechanical aids to reduce manual handling, clear exclusion zones when using powered equipment, and safe storage of equipment and materials.
Training and competence are essential: all operatives receive induction training, tool-specific instruction and periodic refresher training. We maintain training records and ensure operatives are competent to use mowers, strimmers, chainsaws and other machinery. Supervisors receive additional instruction in risk management and emergency response. Regular toolbox talks and briefings are held to reinforce safe practices and to adapt controls to changing site conditions.
Chemicals and fuels are managed under suitable control measures. We apply safe handling procedures for pesticides, fertilisers and diesel, maintain COSHH assessments where required, and provide secure storage with appropriate spill control materials. All hazardous substances are clearly labelled and persons applying chemicals are trained and use required protective clothing and respirators where specified.
Equipment maintenance and inspection are a continuous requirement for a reliable gardening company in Northolt. All powered tools and vehicles are subject to routine inspections, maintenance schedules and pre-use checks. Faulty equipment is removed from service until repaired. Battery-powered and petrol-driven tools are stored safely and charged in accordance with manufacturer guidelines to avoid fire risks. We keep records of inspections and servicing to demonstrate ongoing compliance.
Manual handling and ergonomic practices are promoted to reduce musculoskeletal injuries. We provide mechanical aids such as wheelbarrows, sack trucks and lifting straps, and train staff in safe lifting techniques. Tasks likely to cause strain are rotated and planned to reduce repetitive strain. Our working schedules consider rest periods, hydration and seasonal conditions to protect workforce wellbeing during busy garden maintenance Northolt seasons.
Accident reporting, emergency response and monitoring
All incidents, near misses and health concerns must be reported immediately to a supervisor and recorded. We investigate incidents to determine root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence. Emergency procedures are in place, including first aid provision, contact arrangements for emergency services and site-specific evacuation plans. First aid kits and trained first aiders are available on all active sites.
Responsibilities are clearly allocated: senior management is responsible for policy implementation and resourcing; site supervisors are responsible for risk assessment, supervision and ensuring compliance; individual employees are responsible for following instructions, using PPE and reporting hazards. Subcontractors engaged for landscaping and specialised tasks must comply with our requirements and demonstrate equivalent safety standards before starting work.
We maintain a programme of monitoring, audits and review to ensure this policy remains effective. Performance indicators include incident rates, near-miss reports, completion of training and audit findings. The policy is reviewed at least annually and whenever there are significant changes to operations, equipment or legislation. Continuous improvement is driven by measurable objectives and worker involvement.
By following this policy, Gardening Services Northolt commits to delivering safe, competent and professional garden and grounds services. Our approach balances practical risk control with a culture of care where safety is everyone’s responsibility. The policy is available to all employees and relevant stakeholders for consultation and will be enforced consistently across our service area.
Signed: Operations Director — Gardening Services Northolt
(Policy reviewed and updated according to company schedules)
