Health and Safety Policy — Gardener Mottingham

Purpose: This Health and Safety policy sets out how Gardener Mottingham and the Mottingham gardening team manage risks and protect staff, clients and the public while delivering gardening services in and around the area. The aim is to promote a safe, healthy working environment for all operatives and to maintain consistent, professional standards across our grounds maintenance, soft landscaping and routine garden care activities.

Scope and application

This policy applies to every person engaged by Gardener Mottingham, including self-employed contractors and temporary staff working on gardening contracts. It covers work on private properties, communal green spaces and small commercial sites and is intended to complement any site-specific safety instructions provided by clients or site managers.

Principles

Our approach is built on the following core principles:

• Prevention: identify hazards and control risks before work starts;
• Proportionate controls: apply practical measures such as PPE, tools maintenance, and safe systems of work;
• Continuous improvement: review practices and training to reduce incidents;
• Responsiveness: report, investigate and learn from near misses and accidents.

Responsibilities: Everyone has a role to play. The company director and supervisory staff are responsible for setting expectations, allocating resources and ensuring appropriate training and equipment. Operatives must follow safe working procedures, use assigned personal protective equipment and report hazards.

Risk assessment and planning — Before starting any job, a simple risk assessment must be carried out and recorded. This includes assessing ground conditions, overhead hazards, traffic and public access, manual handling requirements and the presence of utilities or wildlife. Where a task presents significant risk, a method statement should be prepared, communicated and implemented.

Training and competence: All staff receive induction training that covers basic first aid, manual handling, safe use of tools and machinery, and emergency procedures. Additional training is provided for powered equipment, pesticide handling and any specialist tasks. Records of training and competency checks are maintained and reviewed regularly.

Equipment, machinery and maintenance — Tools and machinery must be suitable for the task, in good working order and maintained by competent persons. Gardener Mottingham requires regular inspections, appropriate guarding and that operators use machinery only when trained. Batteries, fuel and storage areas are managed to reduce fire and environmental risks.

Personal protective equipment (PPE): Appropriate PPE such as gloves, eye protection, high-visibility clothing, hearing protection and safety boots are provided and must be used. The choice of PPE is based on the risk assessment and is regularly reviewed to ensure fit and condition. PPE is a last line of defence and must be used alongside safe working methods.

Chemical use and environmental care — Where herbicides, fertilisers or other chemicals are required, products are used in line with manufacturer instructions and only by trained personnel. Measures are taken to avoid contamination of watercourses and to minimise impact on non-target plants and wildlife. Waste materials are disposed of responsibly.

Site management and public safety

Work sites are set up to protect employees and the public. Barriers, signage and appropriate supervision are used when working near footpaths or driveways. Traffic management is implemented where vehicles and plant operate close to pedestrians. Consideration is given to children, pets and vulnerable people who may be present.

Incident reporting and first aid

All incidents, injuries and near misses must be reported promptly. First aid kits are supplied and personnel trained in first aid are available on larger jobs. Incidents are investigated to identify root causes and to implement corrective actions that prevent recurrence. Records of injuries and investigations are kept for internal monitoring and continual improvement.

Monitoring, review and continuous improvement — The policy and related procedures are reviewed at regular intervals and following any significant event. Performance is monitored through toolbox talks, site checks and periodic audits. We commit to learning from experience and adapting procedures to emerging risks or improved industry practice. This policy supports safe, sustainable gardening and grounds care provided by the Mottingham gardener team.