Health and Safety Policy — Gardening Services Covent Garden

Gardening Services Covent Garden is committed to protecting the health, safety and welfare of staff, contractors, clients and the public while delivering professional garden maintenance and landscaping. This policy sets out our approach to risk management, safe working practices and compliance with relevant regulations applicable to commercial and domestic gardening work across the service area. Our objective is to prevent injury, illness and property damage through clear procedures, training and continuous improvement.

We provide a range of services including routine garden maintenance, planting, pruning, soft landscaping and seasonal works under the umbrella of Covent Garden gardening services. All activities are assessed for hazard potential before work begins. This includes manual handling, use of power tools, ladder work, exposure to hazardous substances such as pesticides and fuels, and traffic management when working near roads or public access points. Staff are trained to recognise hazards and follow control measures.

Responsibilities and Roles

The management team holds ultimate responsibility for health and safety policy implementation for our garden maintenance Covent Garden operations. Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for ensuring that risk assessments are carried out, safe systems of work are followed and workers have appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Employees and operative gardeners must follow instructions, report hazards, and take reasonable care for their own safety and that of others.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Procedures

We conduct dynamic and written risk assessments before routine and non-routine tasks. Assessments consider site-specific factors, weather, public interaction and any vulnerable persons nearby. Control measures include method statements, exclusion zones, signage and the use of mechanical aids. Covent Garden garden care teams use safe systems for ladder use, lifting, machine operation and fuel handling. PPE such as gloves, eye protection, high-visibility clothing and hearing protection are mandated where appropriate.

Emergency procedures are maintained for injuries, major incidents and environmental spillages. All crews carry first aid kits and have access to trained first aiders. Incidents and near misses are recorded and reviewed to improve practices. We maintain an incident reporting system that supports prompt corrective action and staff debriefs following any event that compromises safety.

Training and competence are central to safe service delivery. Staff receive induction training, job-specific instruction and periodic refresher courses. Training covers safe use of gardening equipment, COSHH awareness for substances, manual handling techniques, and customer site awareness. Competence is verified by supervisors and documented in personnel records.

Equipment, Maintenance and Chemicals All machinery and hand tools are subject to a regular maintenance schedule and pre-use checks. Faulty equipment is removed from service until repaired by authorised personnel. The company stores and uses chemicals and fuels in accordance with safety data sheets and secure storage procedures. Disposal of green waste and chemical containers follows best practice to minimise environmental impact.

We operate safe traffic and pedestrian controls when working in public spaces or on properties with public access. This includes clear signage, barriers where necessary and staff briefings to manage site access. For works that may affect neighbours or the public, risk communication is undertaken in advance to reduce unexpected exposure to hazards.

Monitoring, review and continual improvement underpin this policy. Health and safety performance is monitored through regular site inspections, audits and staff consultations. The policy and supporting procedures are reviewed annually or after significant incidents or legislative changes. Management and employees share responsibility for implementing improvements identified through reviews and lessons learned.