Health and Safety Policy for Gardeners Brompton

Gardeners Brompton is committed to maintaining a safe working environment for employees, contractors and members of the public. This policy outlines our approach to health and safety across all garden care Brompton operations and related horticultural work. It applies to all staff performing gardening, maintenance and landscaping tasks in Brompton and surrounding service areas.

Purpose: The purpose of this statement is to set out our arrangements to manage and reduce risk, to ensure compliance with safe working practices and to protect the welfare of everyone involved in Brompton gardening services. We aim for continuous improvement and risk-aware decision making at every stage of a job.

Responsibilities: Senior management retains overall responsibility for the policy and will allocate sufficient resources to implement it. Line managers and supervisors are responsible for assessing tasks, providing information, training and equipment. All staff are expected to work safely, report hazards and follow instructions. Visitors and clients should follow safety instructions while on site.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Before starting any project our teams complete a site-specific risk assessment and implement safe systems of work. Assessments consider ground conditions, buried services, traffic, weather, use of chemicals and access issues. Identified controls are recorded and communicated to the crew before work begins.

We use a hierarchy of controls to reduce risks: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative actions and personal protective equipment. Where hazards cannot be removed, control measures are put in place and monitored for effectiveness during the task.

Training and Competence: All operatives receive appropriate training for their role, including safe use of hand tools, power tools, chainsaws where applicable, and machinery such as mowers and stump grinders. Training records are maintained and refresher training is scheduled. Competence checks and on-the-job supervision support ongoing development of safe working practices.

Personal Protective Equipment and Tools

We provide suitable PPE including gloves, boots, eye and ear protection, hi-vis clothing and respiratory protection when required. PPE must be worn where specified and maintained in serviceable condition. Tools and equipment are inspected regularly and maintained according to manufacturer guidance to prevent mechanical failure and injury during garden maintenance Brompton operations.

Manual handling procedures are in place to reduce strain and injury. Staff are trained in safe lifting techniques and use mechanical aids where possible. Working at height is controlled through suitable access equipment, inspection of ladders and the use of harnesses where necessary for tree work or roofline jobs associated with Brompton gardeners.

We manage hazardous substances with COSHH principles in mind: safe storage, correct labeling, use of less hazardous alternatives and provision of information and training on handling and disposal. Spill kits and first aid supplies are carried to address accidental exposures or minor injuries on site.

Lone Working and Vehicles: Where staff work alone, we have procedures to ensure regular check-ins and emergency contacts. Vehicle safety includes secure loading, safe driving practices and vehicle maintenance schedules. Risk of interaction with public footpaths and roads is managed by using signs, barriers and high-visibility clothing during Brompton gardening services.

Emergency procedures are established to respond to accidents, extreme weather or environmental incidents. Staff are trained in first aid and emergency response actions; incidents are recorded, investigated and corrective actions implemented to reduce recurrence. Reporting: All accidents, near misses and hazardous conditions must be reported promptly so we can learn and adapt procedures.

Monitoring and Review: We monitor health and safety performance through site inspections, toolbox talks and periodic audits. The policy is reviewed annually or sooner if operational changes or incidents indicate a need. Gardeners Brompton encourages a proactive safety culture where every team member contributes to safer working practices and the delivery of professional, reliable garden care across our service area.