Team of gardeners preparing tools on a work van

Health and Safety Policy — Gardening New Cross

This Health and Safety Policy sets out the approach adopted by our gardening service for the safe delivery of garden maintenance and landscaping across the service area. It applies to all staff, contractors and visitors working with the gardening company in New Cross and to activities carried out on client sites. The purpose is to minimise risk, protect well-being and ensure legal compliance with general health and safety principles. Our commitment is to maintain a safe working environment through clear procedures, training and proactive risk management.

Scope and objectives

The policy covers routine grounds maintenance, hedge and tree care, planting, turfing, hard landscaping and waste handling provided by gardeners New Cross. Objectives include reducing incidents, preventing occupational ill-health, and promoting safe working practices. We adopt a risk-based approach to identify hazards, implement controls and monitor performance. Everyone engaged in our operations is expected to follow this policy and contribute to continuous improvement.

Supervisor reviewing a site risk assessment in a garden

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities are allocated to ensure accountability. Senior management is responsible for policy oversight and resource allocation, supervisors carry out site risk assessments and operational control, and operatives must use equipment safely and report issues. Clients and site hosts should inform our team of site-specific hazards. Actionable items are listed below:

Management: develop procedures, provide PPE, ensure training.
Supervisors: conduct toolbox talks, supervise work and enforce controls.
Operatives: comply with method statements, wear PPE and report near misses.

Risk assessment and safe systems

All tasks are preceded by a documented risk assessment and, where necessary, a written safe system of work. Hazards commonly encountered by a landscaping New Cross team include manual handling, slips and trips, cuts from tools, noise, vibration, hazardous substances (fertilisers and pesticides) and working near roads. Control measures follow a hierarchy: eliminate, substitute, engineering controls, administrative controls and finally PPE. Method statements are prepared for high-risk activities such as tree work or excavation.

Operative wearing PPE while using a powered garden tool

Personal protective equipment (PPE) and tools

Appropriate PPE is supplied and must be used: protective gloves, steel-toe boots, eye protection, hearing protection for powered equipment and hi-vis clothing where required. Tools and machinery are inspected before use and maintained in accordance with manufacturer guidance. Hand tools are stored safely and power tools have guards and emergency stop features. Equipment training is recorded and only competent operatives are authorised to use specialist machinery.

Training, competence and supervision

Our training programme ensures that all staff have the knowledge to work safely. Training includes inductions, task-specific training, first aid awareness and refresher sessions. Records of qualifications and training are maintained and supervisors ensure operatives are competent for assigned tasks. Continual professional development is encouraged and staff are expected to keep skills up to date to deliver safe garden maintenance New Cross services.

First aid kit and emergency response signage at a worksite

Emergency procedures and first aid

Emergency arrangements are in place for all sites. These include first aid provisions, reporting mechanisms and procedures for serious incidents. Staff are trained to provide immediate assistance and to contact emergency services when necessary. Incidents and near misses are reported promptly, investigated and used to improve controls. Fire safety, lone working measures and procedures for dealing with hazardous spills are also defined in site-specific plans.

Landscape maintenance crew working on a residential garden

Monitoring, review and continual improvement

Health and safety performance is monitored through site inspections, audits and the review of incident records. We set measurable objectives and targets to reduce incidents and improve compliance. This policy is reviewed at least annually or after significant change, such as new equipment, processes or legislation. Feedback from operatives and supervisors forms part of our continual improvement cycle to enhance safety for the gardening company in New Cross and the communities we serve.

Contract management and subcontractors

Subcontractors engaged to work with New Cross gardeners must comply with this policy and demonstrate evidence of competence, insurance and effective health and safety management. Contract conditions include requirements for risk assessments, method statements and adequate supervision. Pre-start checks and periodic reviews ensure subcontracted work meets our standards and aligns with our approach to workplace safety.

Record keeping and legal compliance Records of assessments, training, tool inspections and incident reports are kept securely for monitoring and audit purposes. While this policy is not a legal advice document, it is designed to support compliance with applicable health and safety regulations and good industry practice across our landscaping and garden maintenance operations.

Policy adoption
This policy is endorsed by senior management and is communicated to all staff. It is mandatory for everyone to observe the requirements herein. The successful implementation of this policy depends on active participation, safe behaviour and a shared commitment to protecting health and safety in every gardening or landscaping task undertaken by our team.