Health & Safety Policy — Gardening Dulwich

Gardening Dulwich is committed to maintaining the highest standards of health and safety across all garden maintenance and landscaping activities. This policy sets out the responsibilities, procedures and controls that govern safe working for our staff, contractors and anyone affected by our work. The aim is to prevent accidents, reduce risks and promote a culture of safe working within every corner of our Dulwich gardening services.

Our approach to workplace safety is proactive and practical. We carry out regular risk assessments, ensure safe systems of work are followed and provide appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). All team members are expected to follow published safe operating procedures, report hazards promptly and cooperate with managers to implement corrective actions. This policy applies to all Gardening in Dulwich activities, whether routine garden upkeep or one-off landscape projects.

Responsibilities: Senior management retains ultimate accountability for safety and will ensure resources are provided to meet this policy. Supervisors must ensure that Dulwich gardeners under their control are competent, trained and equipped. Every worker has a duty to take reasonable care of their own safety and that of others, using equipment correctly and reporting near-misses and incidents immediately.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Before work begins, a documented risk assessment will be completed for each job type and site. Assessments consider terrain, underground services, traffic, weather, chemical use, manual handling and public interaction. Where hazards cannot be eliminated they will be mitigated by control measures such as signing and guarding, task rotation or method changes. The assessment outcomes are communicated to the team and recorded for review.

Typical controls for our Dulwich garden services include:

• PPE: gloves, eye protection, hearing protection and hi-vis clothing;
• Tool checks: pre-use inspections and tagging of powered equipment;
• Exclusion zones: clear barriers when working near the public or children.

Training and competence are central to safe gardening. All staff receive induction training covering risk awareness, equipment use, chemical handling and emergency procedures. Further training is provided for specialist tasks such as tree works, chainsaw operations and pesticide application. Training records are maintained and competency is reassessed periodically to ensure our gardening team in Dulwich remains capable and confident.

Equipment, Machinery and PPE

All tools and machinery used by Gardening Dulwich are maintained to manufacturer standards. A planned maintenance program ensures that mowers, strimmers, chainsaws and shredders are inspected and serviced. Faulty equipment is withdrawn from service and repaired by an authorised technician. Operators must only use machines for which they are trained.

Personal protective equipment is provided free of charge and must be worn where required. PPE includes safety boots, gloves, eye and hearing protection and suitable clothing for weather conditions. Respiratory protection is supplied for tasks involving dust or spray. The selection of PPE follows a hierarchy of controls, matching the protection to the risk.

Chemical and pesticide use follows a strict protocol: COSHH-based assessments, secure storage, correct dilution, appropriate licensing and clear labeling. Safe disposal of chemical containers and unused products is enforced to protect staff and the environment.

Manual handling and working at height are managed through task planning, use of mechanical aids and safe access equipment. Ladders are used only for short duration tasks with secure footings and an assistant present when needed. Scaffolding or mobile work platforms are used where ladders are unsuitable. Where heavy lifting is required, team lifts and lifting aids reduce strain and the risk of injury.

Public safety and site security: We ensure that public footpaths and access points are managed while work is underway. Traffic management plans are used for verge works and any works affecting highways. Tools and materials are stored securely overnight to prevent theft and to reduce hazards to members of the public. Communication signage and barriers are employed to keep bystanders at a safe distance.

Emergency procedures include first aid provision, clear reporting lines and incident investigation. First aid kits are carried on-site and key staff hold current first aid qualifications. In the event of an incident, staff must secure the scene, offer assistance, notify their supervisor and complete an incident report. Lessons learned feed back into risk assessments to prevent recurrence.

Environmental stewardship is integral to our practice. Waste green material is handled responsibly: cuttings and clippings are composted or removed to licensed facilities. Fuel, oils and hazardous wastes are stored in bunded containers and disposed of through authorised waste carriers. These steps protect local biodiversity and comply with our commitment to sustainable gardening services.

Monitoring and review: This policy is reviewed at least annually and after any significant incident or change in legislation or practice. Routine site inspections and safety audits measure compliance with the policy. Performance indicators include incident rates, near-miss reporting frequency and audit outcomes. Continuous improvement is supported by regular team briefings and toolbox talks.

Policy acceptance: All employees and contractors engaged in Dulwich gardening activities are required to read and acknowledge this Health & Safety Policy. Management will provide the resources, training and leadership necessary to make these commitments real and effective in every garden and landscape we serve.