Gardeners Kew Health and Safety Policy

Gardeners Kew is committed to providing gardening and grounds maintenance services in a way that protects the health, safety and welfare of our employees, contractors, clients and members of the public. We recognise that professional garden work involves physical activity, tools, machinery, chemicals and changing outdoor conditions, and we manage these risks through careful planning, training and supervision.

This policy sets out the principles and arrangements we follow to ensure that all work is carried out safely and responsibly on every site where we operate.

Our Health and Safety Responsibilities

The management of Gardeners Kew accepts overall responsibility for health and safety within the company. We will provide appropriate resources to implement this policy and will review its effectiveness regularly.

Managers and supervisors are responsible for ensuring that safe systems of work are followed, that staff receive suitable information, instruction and training, and that any hazards, incidents or concerns are dealt with promptly.

All employees and contractors of Gardeners Kew have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions. They must co-operate with all safety procedures, use equipment correctly, and report hazards and incidents without delay.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

Before starting work at any garden or outdoor space, we consider the specific conditions and risks at that site. Where appropriate, we carry out written risk assessments that identify hazards, assess who might be harmed and how, and set out the control measures to be used.

Typical hazards in gardening work may include uneven ground, water features, working at height, moving vehicles, hand tools, powered machinery, weather conditions and the use of horticultural chemicals. Our teams are required to follow safe working practices tailored to these risks.

We aim to eliminate risks where reasonably practicable, and where that is not possible, we introduce controls such as protective equipment, training, supervision, barriers and safe systems of work. Risk assessments are reviewed when circumstances change or new equipment or methods are introduced.

Training, Competence and Supervision

Gardeners Kew ensures that all team members are competent to carry out their work safely. New starters receive an induction that covers general health and safety arrangements, emergency procedures and any specific site rules relevant to their work.

Staff who operate powered machinery, cutting equipment, hedge trimmers, lawnmowers, blowers, chainsaws or other specialist tools are given appropriate training and, where required, formal certification. No one may use equipment for which they are not trained or authorised.

Supervisors monitor work on site to confirm that safe methods are being followed and to provide guidance where required. Additional training is provided when new equipment, techniques or regulations are introduced.

Equipment, Machinery and Personal Protective Equipment

All tools, machinery and equipment used by Gardeners Kew are selected, maintained and used with safety as the priority. Equipment is subject to regular checks and servicing, and defective items are withdrawn from use immediately.

Where risks cannot be adequately controlled by other means, appropriate personal protective equipment is provided. This may include gloves, eye protection, hearing protection, safety footwear, high-visibility clothing, helmets or respiratory protection depending on the task.

Employees and contractors must use the protective equipment supplied to them in accordance with the training and instructions provided. They must report any damaged or missing equipment so that it can be replaced promptly.

Chemical and Environmental Safety

When using fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides or other horticultural chemicals, Gardeners Kew follows manufacturer instructions and relevant safety guidance. Only trained and authorised personnel may handle and apply such substances.

We assess the risks associated with each product and use control measures such as restricted access, appropriate storage, protective clothing and careful disposal of containers and residues. We aim to minimise chemical use where possible by using alternative methods of pest, weed and disease control.

We also consider environmental factors, such as wildlife, watercourses and neighbouring properties, and we take care to prevent contamination, overspray or unnecessary disturbance.

Site Safety and Public Protection

Our teams are mindful that gardening work often takes place in shared or public spaces where clients, visitors, neighbours and passers-by may be present. We take reasonable steps to protect others from harm arising from our activities.

This may include using warning signs, cones or barriers, temporarily restricting access to work areas, and scheduling high-risk tasks for quieter times. Tools and materials are kept tidy, and work areas are left in a safe condition at the end of each visit.

Vehicles and trailers are loaded and unloaded with care, and parked in a way that minimises risk to pedestrians and other road users.

Accidents, Incidents and First Aid

Gardeners Kew encourages the prompt reporting of all accidents, near misses and unsafe conditions so that we can investigate the causes and prevent recurrence. Details of incidents are recorded and reviewed as part of our continuous improvement process.

Where required, appropriate first aid arrangements are made, and staff are informed of the procedures to follow if someone is injured or becomes unwell while work is in progress. Serious incidents will be escalated to management and, where necessary, to the relevant authorities.

Client Responsibilities and Cooperation

We ask our clients to co-operate with our health and safety arrangements. This includes informing us in advance of any known hazards on their property, such as unstable structures, concealed cables or pipes, or aggressive animals, and keeping access routes clear where reasonably possible.

Clients should not interfere with safety equipment, signage or barriers used by our teams, and should keep children and pets away from active work areas and machinery. If a client has any concerns about safety, they are encouraged to raise these with our team on site so that appropriate action can be taken.

Monitoring, Review and Policy Communication

Gardeners Kew monitors compliance with this policy through regular site checks, feedback from staff and clients, and review of incident records. When necessary, we update our procedures to reflect changing work practices, new equipment or revised legal requirements.

This policy is communicated to all employees and contractors, and is available to clients on request. We are committed to continually improving our health and safety performance and to maintaining a safe environment for everyone affected by our gardening services.