Health & Safety Policy for Garden Maintenance Pimlico

Our organisation is committed to providing safe, reliable and professional garden maintenance and landscape care across Pimlico and nearby areas. This Health and Safety policy describes the standards, responsibilities and procedures that govern our garden maintenance services Pimlico-wide. The aim is to prevent injury, protect property and reduce environmental impact while delivering high-quality garden care in Pimlico and service area locations. All staff, contractors and visitors must follow the policy and the safe working practices it sets out.

Scope and Objectives

This policy applies to all operations related to yard work, turfing, pruning, hedge trimming, planting and routine maintenance performed by our Pimlico garden maintenance team. Key objectives include: risk reduction, compliance with accepted safety standards, training and clear communication, proper use of equipment and safe handling of substances used for plant health. We strive to maintain a consistent safety culture across our garden maintenance services in Pimlico and adjoining neighbourhoods.

Responsibilities and Management

Management will ensure adequate resources, training and supervision are provided. Supervisors will carry out regular inspections and risk assessments, maintain records and ensure that Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is issued and used. All employees engaged in Pimlico garden maintenance are responsible for following safe systems of work, reporting hazards and participating in training. Visitors and subcontractors must comply with site-specific safety instructions when working within customer properties.

Risk assessments are completed before starting any job and revised when conditions change. Assessments cover manual handling, plant and machinery use, working at height, exposure to chemicals, slippage, trip hazards, interaction with public spaces and vehicle movements. Control measures are applied using the hierarchy of control: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls and PPE. For example, where possible we use battery-powered tools to substitute noisier or higher-emission petrol equipment and employ mechanical aids to mitigate manual lifting.

Safe equipment management is central to our approach. All mowers, chainsaws, hedge trimmers and power tools used for Pimlico garden services are inspected before use, maintained according to manufacturer guidance and subject to periodic testing. Operators receive training and competency assessments. Tools are stored securely and safeguarded against misuse. A log of maintenance activities and defects is maintained and defects are rectified before repeat use.

Control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH) is enforced where plant protection products, fuels and cleaning agents are used. Products are stored in labelled containers, with Safety Data Sheets available for all substances. Application follows best practice to reduce drift and contamination. Spill kits are carried on-site and staff are trained in containment and clean-up. Waste generated by maintenance activities is segregated and disposed of responsibly in line with environmental requirements.

Manual handling procedures are established to protect operatives. Staff are trained in correct lifting techniques and encouraged to seek mechanical assistance for heavy or awkward loads. Traffic management plans are used for jobs near roads and public footpaths to protect the public, with signage and barriers used as appropriate. During peak activity we coordinate team movements to minimise interaction with passersby and pets.

In addition to routine supervision, incident reporting and emergency arrangements are in place. Any accident, near-miss or hazard identified during Pimlico garden maintenance is reported promptly and investigated to prevent recurrence. First-aid kits are accessible on-site and personnel receive emergency response training tailored to likely scenarios, including cuts, entanglement, heat stress and allergic reactions. Emergency procedures include securing the work area, contacting emergency services where required and preserving evidence for investigation.

Training and competence underpin safe delivery of garden care in Pimlico. New staff receive induction training covering this policy, safe equipment use, PPE, COSHH awareness and safe systems of work. Refresher training and toolbox talks are scheduled regularly. Competence assessments are used to confirm personnel can carry out assigned tasks safely. Contractors working alongside our teams are expected to demonstrate equivalent safety standards and cooperate with supervision and site rules.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

We monitor compliance through site inspections, audits and review of incident records. Performance indicators include the frequency of near-misses, maintenance records and completion of training schedules. The policy is reviewed annually or when significant changes occur in equipment, substances or working practices affecting Pimlico garden maintenance operations. Continuous improvement is sought through staff feedback, lessons learned from incidents and adopting proven safer technologies.

Communication and enforcement

This policy is communicated to all employees and relevant stakeholders. Non-compliance will be addressed through retraining, supervision and where necessary, disciplinary procedures. We encourage a culture of safety where staff feel empowered to stop work where a situation is unsafe and to report hazards without fear of reprisal. Safety is a shared responsibility and is integral to delivering dependable garden maintenance solutions across Pimlico and the surrounding service area.

Conclusion: Our commitment is to maintain a robust health and safety framework that protects people and property while allowing our garden maintenance teams to deliver excellent results. Regular updates, practical controls and engaged staff ensure that our Pimlico garden maintenance activities are carried out safely, professionally and sustainably.