Health and Safety Policy — Gardening Services Camberwell

Purpose: This Health and Safety policy sets out the standards and procedures for Gardening Services Camberwell and associated teams operating in the service area. It explains how we manage risks to protect employees, contractors, visitors and members of the public while delivering high-quality garden care and green-space maintenance. The policy applies to all garden work, including hedge trimming, lawn care, planting, tree works, and landscape maintenance carried out by Camberwell gardening services teams.

Scope: The statement covers on-site operations, transportation of equipment, storage of materials, and work affecting private and communal spaces. Our aim is to reduce incidents, control hazards and ensure compliance with good practice. All operatives and supervisors are required to follow the procedures described herein. This is a corporate safety policy designed to support safe working across the region without attempting to replicate or replace regulatory documents.

Responsibilities: Management will provide leadership, resources and training to uphold the policy. Supervisors will conduct risk assessments and brief teams before work begins. Operatives must use equipment correctly and report hazards immediately. Contractors engaged to support our gardening provision are expected to share our safety standards and demonstrate appropriate insurance, qualifications and safe systems of work. Camberwell gardeners are accountable for maintaining safe practices at all times.

Risk Management and Safe Systems of Work

Risk assessments are undertaken before starting any job. These assessments identify hazards such as working at height, use of powered tools, manual handling, exposure to chemicals, and interaction with the public. Identified risks are controlled by eliminating hazards where possible, substituting safer methods, using engineering controls, implementing administrative controls and providing suitable personal protective equipment. The hierarchy of control drives planning of every task performed by gardening services in Camberwell.

Training and Competency: Employees receive training in equipment operation, hazardous substances (COSHH-style awareness), first aid, manual handling and emergency procedures. We maintain records of qualifications and refresher training. New staff and temporary workers undergo induction that covers our health and safety expectations and site-specific arrangements. Continuous development is encouraged to ensure a competent workforce able to deliver safe garden maintenance Camberwell clients expect.

Equipment and machinery are inspected daily and serviced regularly. Lock-out and tag-out procedures are applied when equipment is repaired. Fuel and chemicals are stored and transported in labelled containers with spill kits available. When using chainsaws, hedge trimmers, rotavators or brush cutters, operatives wear appropriate PPE including eye and hearing protection, gloves, protective clothing and safety boots. A concise list of essential controls includes:

• Pre-job risk assessment and toolbox talk
• Use of correct PPE and machine guarding
• Clear exclusion zones to protect the public
• Safe lifting techniques and mechanical aids

Incident Reporting and Emergency Response

All incidents, near misses or property damage must be reported promptly to management. We maintain a simple reporting system to ensure lessons are learned and improvements made. In the event of injury, emergency first aid procedures are followed and, where necessary, emergency services are contacted. Records support trend analysis to prevent recurrence and to refine procedures for garden contractors and internal teams alike.

Health and Wellbeing: We recognise that physical and mental wellbeing are integral to safe performance. Operatives are encouraged to report fatigue, illness or stressors that could impair safe working. Work schedules and breaks are designed to reduce repetitive strain and heat-exposure risks during warmer months. Supervisors monitor workloads and adjust duties when health concerns are raised.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement: The policy is reviewed at regular intervals and after significant incidents. Performance is measured through routine site inspections, audits and consultation with employees. Employee involvement is promoted through safety briefings and suggestions for improvement. Camberwell gardening services commits to ongoing investment in safer equipment, better training and updated procedures to ensure that garden work is completed without harm to people or property.