Health and Safety Policy for Gardeners Chessington
Gardeners Chessington is committed to maintaining a safe working environment for all staff, clients and members of the public. This policy sets out the core principles and practical measures our team follows across our service area to prevent accidents, reduce risks and promote a strong safety culture among our gardening crews and subcontractors.Policy statement and scope
This policy applies to every activity carried out by our gardening company, from routine lawn maintenance to larger garden renovations. It covers staff, temporary workers and anyone visiting sites where our team operates. We aim to manage risks responsibly while delivering professional gardening services in and around Chessington and nearby areas, balancing quality service with robust safety practice.
Responsibilities and leadership
Management is responsible for providing leadership, adequate resourcing and ongoing oversight of health and safety. Supervisors and team leaders must ensure safe systems of work are followed. All employees are expected to cooperate, follow instructions and report hazards or incidents promptly. This shared responsibility helps our local gardeners and professional gardening teams maintain safe workplaces.Risk assessment and safe systems
We carry out risk assessments for each site and type of work, documenting hazards and control measures. Assessments are reviewed when tasks change or new equipment is introduced. Our approach is to avoid hazards where possible, substitute safer methods, and implement control measures such as barriers, signage and exclusion zones to protect the public and staff.Training and competence
Training is provided to ensure staff are competent to use tools and machinery safely, understand manual handling techniques and are aware of chemical safety where pesticides or fertilizers are used. We keep records of certificates and refresher training. New recruits undergo induction covering our safety policy, and ongoing training supports continuous improvement for Chessington gardeners and landscape operatives.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) All staff must use appropriate PPE supplied by the company. Typical items include hearing protection, safety boots, high-visibility clothing, gloves and eye protection. Equipment selection is task-specific and enforced on site. PPE is maintained, replaced when worn and checked during toolbox talks to ensure ongoing protection.
Equipment, machinery and maintenance
Our maintenance regime ensures mowers, chainsaws, strimmers and other tools are safe and well serviced. Pre-use checks are mandatory and faults are reported and acted upon. Only trained staff operate high-risk equipment and lock-out procedures are used during servicing to prevent accidental start-up. Emphasis is placed on safe storage and transportation of tools between sites.Chemical safety and environmental controls
The company adopts a precautionary approach to pesticides and fertilizers. Where chemicals are necessary we use approved products, follow manufacturer instructions and maintain COSHH-style records of hazards and control measures. Spill kits and procedures are available and waste is disposed of responsibly to protect people and the environment.Manual handling and ergonomic awareness are central to preventing musculoskeletal injuries. We provide manual handling training, use mechanical aids where possible and plan tasks to minimise repetitive lifting. Teams rotate duties and follow safe lifting techniques; risk assessments flag high-risk lifts so they can be redesigned or assisted.
Traffic management and public safety
When working near roads, footpaths or driveways we implement traffic management plans to protect crew and the public. Cones, signs and temporary barriers are used where necessary, and workers wear high-visibility clothing. Safe access and egress points are established for site users and instructions are given to passers-by if an exclusion zone is required.First aid, incident reporting and emergency response
First aid equipment is available on all sites and designated first-aiders are trained and identified. All incidents, near-misses and accidents are recorded, investigated and lessons learned are shared. Emergency procedures include clear reporting lines, access for emergency services and contingency arrangements for severe weather or major incidents.
Monitoring, review and continuous improvement We regularly audit compliance with this policy through site inspections and performance reviews. Safety performance indicators and corrective actions are tracked. The policy is reviewed at least annually or when operational changes occur. Staff are encouraged to suggest improvements to make our gardening services safer and more effective.
Communication and worker engagement
Effective communication ensures that everyone understands their responsibilities. Toolbox talks, briefings and written procedures are used to keep teams informed. Workers are consulted on safety matters and participate in risk assessments where practicable. Engagement supports a positive safety culture across the gardening business and among local garden maintenance teams.Key standards and practical controls
- Carry out site-specific risk assessments before work starts.
- Provide training and maintain competence records.
- Ensure PPE is used and equipment is inspected.
- Use exclusion zones and traffic controls where required.
- Report incidents and implement corrective actions promptly.
Gardeners Chessington aims to deliver high-quality, reliable landscaping and garden care services while keeping safety central to every task. Strong leadership, clear procedures and active staff participation form the backbone of this policy. By following these principles our gardening teams will continue to protect people, property and the environment across our service area.
