Team member preparing gardening tools at a residential property

Health and Safety Policy — Gardener Feltham

Gardener Feltham is committed to providing a safe working environment for employees, subcontractors and clients while delivering high-quality landscaping and garden maintenance. This policy applies to all activities carried out by our gardening company and reflects our commitment to reduce risks, prevent harm and promote a positive safety culture across all sites where Feltham gardening services are provided. Our objective is to maintain consistent safety standards for every job, whether routine lawn care, hedge trimming or landscaping projects.

Policy Statement

We will implement and maintain robust health and safety arrangements that are proportionate to the nature of our work. This includes routine risk assessment, proper training, safe operation of equipment, and environmental protection. All staff and contractors engaged by Gardener Feltham are required to follow this policy. We require everyone to cooperate in identifying hazards and adopting safe working methods. Safety is an integral part of our service delivery, and we treat it with the same professionalism as every gardening task we undertake.

Supervisor conducting a site safety check before work begins

Scope and Responsibilities

The policy covers planning, setup, execution and completion of gardening tasks. Key responsibilities include:

Management — establish arrangements, provide resources, carry out monitoring;
Supervisors — ensure site-specific controls and communicate hazards;
Operatives — follow safe systems, use PPE and report incidents.

Everyone must be aware of and accept their duty to act safely. We also expect client cooperation to ensure access, safe footing and information about hazards on private or commercial properties.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

All tasks will be preceded by a dynamic risk assessment and, where necessary, a documented assessment tailored to the job. Control measures will be selected using the hierarchy of control, favouring elimination and substitution over reliance on PPE alone. Common hazards in gardening include manual handling, use of powered tools, working at height, exposure to chemicals and biological hazards. We will document precautions and emergency actions for each site, ensuring that methods are practical and understood by the team.

Operative using safe lifting techniques with manual handling aid

Equipment, Tools and Maintenance

Safe use of tools and machinery is essential. All equipment is inspected and maintained to a high standard, with records kept of service and repairs. Operatives will only use equipment for which they have been trained and authorised. Powered tools, chainsaws and shredders will be used according to manufacturer guidance and industry best practice. Where mechanical aids can reduce manual handling risks, they will be provided and used. Faulty tools are taken out of service immediately and reported to supervisors.

Personal Protective Equipment and Clothing

Appropriate PPE is provided and must be worn as required: cut-resistant gloves, eye protection, hearing protection, high-visibility clothing and sturdy footwear. PPE is a last line of defense and will be used alongside administrative and engineering controls. Staff receive instruction on correct fitting, care and replacement of PPE. We ensure supplies are available so that no one has to choose between protection and productivity.

Training, Competence and Supervision

Gardener Feltham invests in training that develops safe working skills and competence relevant to gardening and landscaping activities. Induction training covers company safety procedures, hazard awareness and site-specific rules. Ongoing training includes equipment operation, pesticide awareness where applicable, traffic and pedestrian safety on public-facing sites, and first aid basics. Supervision is provided until competence is demonstrated, and refresher training is scheduled to maintain standards.

First aid kit and emergency PPE staged on a landscaping site

Incident Reporting, Emergencies and First Aid

All incidents, near misses and unsafe acts are reported immediately and recorded. Reporting enables investigation and corrective action to prevent recurrence. Emergency procedures are in place for injuries, fires, chemical spills and severe weather; these procedures are practised and reviewed. First aid kits and trained first aiders are available on site, and arrangements exist to summon professional medical assistance when needed. We emphasise early reporting and open dialogue so lessons are captured and acted upon.

Inspection of safety equipment and PPE prior to starting gardening tasks

Monitoring, Review and Environmental Protection

We continually monitor performance through toolbox talks, site inspections and management reviews. Performance indicators include incident rates, audit results and completion of planned maintenance and training. This health and safety policy is reviewed at regular intervals and updated to reflect changes in work practices, equipment or legislation. Environmental protection is integrated into our safety approach: measures are taken to prevent pollution, manage waste responsibly and use chemicals responsibly to minimise impact. The aim is to deliver horticultural excellence while safeguarding people and the environment.

Conclusion: Gardener Feltham aims to operate a transparent, practical and effective safety management system that protects everyone involved in our gardening operations. By combining clear leadership, competent staff, proper equipment and continuous improvement, we create safer gardens and workplaces. All personnel must familiarise themselves with this policy and contribute to its success through active participation and adherence to safe working practices.