Gardeners Merton Health and Safety Policy
Gardeners Merton is committed to providing gardening and grounds maintenance services in a way that protects the health, safety, and welfare of our employees, subcontractors, clients, members of the public, and any other persons who may be affected by our work. We recognise our duty to manage risks effectively and to comply with all applicable health and safety legislation and recognised industry standards.
This Health and Safety policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with gardening, landscaping, and related activities carried out at domestic, commercial, and communal properties across our service area.
Policy Aims and Objectives
The primary aims of this policy are to prevent injury, ill health, and property damage, and to promote safe working practices. Gardeners Merton will:
Identify, assess, and reduce risks associated with gardening work and site-specific conditions. Provide appropriate information, instruction, training, and supervision to ensure work is carried out safely. Supply and maintain suitable equipment, tools, and personal protective equipment. Plan and organise work to minimise hazards to workers, clients, visitors, and the public. Monitor and review health and safety performance to support continuous improvement.
Management Responsibilities
The management of Gardeners Merton is responsible for implementing this policy and ensuring that adequate resources are made available to achieve high standards of health and safety. Management will:
Ensure that risk assessments and method statements are prepared, reviewed, and followed for relevant tasks. Maintain clear procedures for reporting and investigating accidents, incidents, and near misses. Ensure all gardening equipment and machinery is regularly inspected, serviced, and used only by competent persons. Provide appropriate induction and ongoing training in safe systems of work and emergency procedures. Review this policy periodically and whenever there are significant changes in operations or legislation.
Employee Responsibilities
Every employee of Gardeners Merton has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. All staff must:
Follow safety instructions, safe systems of work, and site rules at all times. Use tools, machinery, and safety equipment only for their intended purpose and in accordance with training. Wear the personal protective equipment issued for specific tasks, such as gloves, eye protection, hearing protection, and safety footwear. Report hazards, defects, incidents, near misses, and health or safety concerns promptly to management. Avoid horseplay, misuse of equipment, or any behaviour that could endanger themselves or others. Co-operate fully with any investigation or review of safety procedures.
Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices
Gardeners Merton will carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments for its gardening and grounds maintenance activities. These assessments will consider, as appropriate:
Use of powered tools and machinery such as mowers, trimmers, blowers, and hedge cutters. Manual handling of soil, materials, equipment, plants, and waste. Working on uneven ground, slopes, and near water features. Working at height using ladders or access equipment for hedge cutting, pruning, or maintenance. Exposure to noise, vibration, dust, and weather conditions. Contact with plants, pesticides, fertilisers, and other substances. Vehicle movement, loading, and unloading of equipment and materials.
Control measures identified in risk assessments will be implemented and communicated to all relevant staff. Safe systems of work and method statements will be used where appropriate for higher-risk tasks.
Use of Tools, Machinery, and Vehicles
Gardeners Merton will ensure that all tools, machinery, and vehicles used in the course of work are suitable, properly maintained, and used by trained persons. In particular:
Pre-use checks will be carried out on powered equipment and any defects reported and rectified before use. Guards and safety devices will not be removed, bypassed, or misused. Machinery will be shut down and made safe before clearing blockages or making adjustments. Fuel will be stored, transported, and handled safely, away from ignition sources and in suitable containers. Vehicles used to transport staff, equipment, and materials will be driven responsibly and in accordance with road safety requirements.
Personal Protective Equipment
Personal protective equipment will be provided where risks cannot be controlled adequately by other means. As a minimum, appropriate workwear and sturdy footwear will be required for all gardening activities. Task-specific protective equipment, which may include gloves, safety glasses or goggles, hearing protection, high-visibility clothing, and respiratory protection, will be provided where required by risk assessments. Employees are expected to use PPE correctly, keep it in good condition, and report any damage or loss.
Chemicals, Substances, and Environmental Hazards
Where gardening tasks involve the use of substances such as fertilisers, pesticides, fuels, or cleaning products, Gardeners Merton will assess the associated risks and ensure safe handling, storage, and disposal in line with supplier instructions and legal requirements. Staff will be trained in safe use, and only authorised personnel will apply products that require specific competence. Care will be taken to protect wildlife, soil, watercourses, and neighbouring properties from contamination.
Public and Client Safety
Gardeners Merton recognises its responsibility to safeguard clients, visitors, and members of the public. When working at client properties and communal spaces, we will:
Plan work to reduce risks to people in the vicinity, including children and pets. Use warning signs, barriers, or temporary cordons where necessary to separate work areas from public access. Control noise, dust, and debris so far as is reasonably practicable. Ensure tools and materials are not left unattended in a way that could cause harm. Keep access routes as clear as reasonably possible during and after work.
Training, Information, and Supervision
Gardeners Merton will provide appropriate training, information, and supervision to enable employees to work safely and competently. This may include induction training, task-specific instruction, refreshers, toolbox talks, and specialist courses where required. Supervisors will monitor working practices and address unsafe behaviour or conditions promptly.
Accidents, Incidents, and Emergency Procedures
All accidents, injuries, near misses, and dangerous occurrences must be reported to management as soon as possible. Gardeners Merton will maintain appropriate records and, where necessary, conduct investigations to identify causes and implement corrective actions. First aid provision will be suitable for the type of work and locations visited. Staff will be briefed on emergency procedures, including how to respond to injuries, fire, fuel spills, and other incidents.
Monitoring, Review, and Continuous Improvement
Gardeners Merton is committed to continual improvement in health and safety performance. This policy, together with associated procedures, will be reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes in law, work activities, or organisational structure. Feedback from staff, clients, and other stakeholders will be considered as part of this process, and reasonable measures will be taken to enhance safety standards across our gardening operations.
This Health and Safety policy applies to all activities undertaken by Gardeners Merton and all persons working on its behalf. Compliance with this policy is a condition of employment and of any contract for services.
