Health & Safety Policy — Gardener Shortlands

Gardener Shortlands is committed to a clear and practical Health and Safety policy that protects staff, clients, and the public while delivering high-quality gardening services. This policy applies across our service area and to all garden maintenance, landscaping and grounds care work carried out by our team. It sets out responsibilities, standards and the core safety controls we follow on every job, whether routine lawn care or more complex garden construction.

We recognise that safe working practices underpin reliable service delivery. The purpose of this document is to define how our company identifies risks, implements controls and maintains continual improvement in safety. It reflects the company’s dedication to a safety-first culture and to reducing incidents through planning, training and correct use of equipment by every Shortlands gardener.

All employees and contractors are expected to follow this policy. Management responsibilities include carrying out risk assessments, allocating resources for safety, and ensuring that staff receive suitable training. Operatives must report hazards promptly and follow documented procedures for plant and tool use, manual handling and working at height. Any subcontracted gardening teams must meet our standards and be briefed before starting work.

Risk Assessment and Control Measures

We perform dynamic and written risk assessments for tasks such as hedge cutting, tree pruning, turfing and use of powered equipment. Controls include safe systems of work, exclusion zones, and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) like gloves, eye protection, ear defenders and hi-vis clothing. Mechanical aids and correct lifting techniques are used to reduce manual handling injuries.

Our approach to chemical safety (when using approved pesticides or fertilizers) follows labelled instructions, COSHH principles and secure storage practices. Only trained operatives handle hazardous substances, and material safety data is accessible on-site. Spill kits and emergency wash facilities are part of our on-site standard kit when required.

Plant and vehicle safety is maintained through regular inspections and pre-use checks. Mowers, chainsaws and other powered tools are serviced to manufacturers’ recommendations, fitted with appropriate guards and used with relevant guards in place. Traffic management procedures are applied where work affects vehicle or pedestrian routes.

Training, Supervision and Competence

Staff competence is essential. We provide induction training for new employees and ongoing refresher training relevant to gardening and grounds maintenance duties. Training covers first aid, manual handling, tool operation, and emergency procedures. Supervisors ensure that tasks are matched to an operative’s qualifications and experience.

Emergency preparedness includes accessible first aid kits, clear reporting lines and documented incident procedures. All accidents and near-misses are recorded, investigated and reviewed to identify preventive actions. This continual learning loop supports safer operations for our gardening teams across the service area.

Our commitment extends to environmental and public safety. Worksites are secured to protect neighbours and passersby, waste is managed responsibly and noise or dust impacts are minimised. We implement clear signage, cordons and safe working zones so the public can move safely around worksites and gardens while jobs are in progress.

Responsibilities are shared:

• Directors set policy, provide resources and review performance;
• Managers ensure compliance, carry out audits and manage risk assessments;
• Operatives follow procedures, use PPE and report hazards.

Performance is measured through routine inspections, toolbox talks and regular management reviews. We track safety metrics and take corrective action when trends or specific incidents indicate improvement is needed. The policy is reviewed periodically and updated to reflect changing work practices, new equipment or lessons learned.

Gardening Shortlands is the working name for our team of professionals and this policy supports our objective to provide reliable, safe and responsible garden services. It is designed to be practical and actionable so that each Shortlands gardening project is completed without harm to people or the environment.

All employees are encouraged to contribute to a safer workplace by raising concerns, suggesting improvements and participating in safety reviews. Regular communication and visible leadership reinforce the expectation that safety comes before speed. This helps protect our workforce and maintains the reputation of the Gardener Shortlands brand for dependable, safe gardening services.

By embedding these principles into everyday work, we create a consistent and positive safety culture. This policy is supported by documentation, training records and operational checklists that guide day-to-day activities. Contractors and temporary staff receive the same briefings and must comply with our standards.

Finally, we will continue to invest in safer equipment, ongoing staff development and clear procedures so that every project delivered by Gardener Shortlands meets our health and safety expectations and the needs of the communities we serve.