Health and Safety Policy for Gardener Shoreditch and Surrounding Gardening Services
Purpose: This health and safety policy sets out the approach of Gardener Shoreditch to protect the wellbeing of staff, contractors, clients and the public while delivering gardening Shoreditch and nearby garden maintenance services. The policy promotes a consistent safety culture across all gardening activities, from routine lawn care to tree pruning and soft landscaping. It aims to minimise risk, prevent injury and ensure that our Shoreditch gardener teams work to recognised safe practices at every site.
Scope and commitment
Scope: This policy covers all operatives employed or subcontracted by the gardening company when they are engaged in horticultural operations, groundskeeping, waste handling and equipment use. The management team is committed to providing the necessary resources, training and supervision to maintain safe working conditions and to continuously improve our safety performance.
Responsibilities: Everyone at the company has a role in safety. Senior management must set clear expectations and ensure safe systems are in place; supervisors and team leads must monitor daily tasks and confirm competence. Operatives and the Shoreditch gardener workforce must follow instructions, use personal protective equipment (PPE) and report hazards. Key duties include:
- Risk assessment: Carry out site-specific risk assessments before starting work.
- Safe systems: Implement control measures identified in risk assessments.
- Training: Maintain records of training and qualifications for machinery, pesticide use and first aid.
Risk management and safe working
Assessment: Prior to any task, a competent member of staff will perform a dynamic risk assessment to identify environmental hazards such as traffic, underground services, slopes, fragile surfaces and public access. Control measures will be applied using a hierarchy of controls: elimination, substitution, engineering, administrative controls and PPE.Plant, tools and machinery
Equipment safety is essential for every gardening company operating in urban areas. All powered tools and machines must be regularly inspected, maintained and operated only by trained personnel. Fueling and maintenance are to be conducted in well-ventilated areas and away from public footpaths. Lock-off and tag-out procedures will be used where appropriate to prevent accidental start-up.Chemicals, waste and environmental controls
The use of chemicals, herbicides and pesticides will be minimised and, where used, will follow manufacturer instructions and COSHH-style assessments. Safe storage, clear labelling and secure transport are mandatory. Waste materials and green waste will be disposed of responsibly to reduce hazards and environmental impact while ensuring public safety in gardens and communal spaces.
PPE and personal safety: Appropriate protective clothing such as gloves, eye protection, hearing protection and sturdy footwear must be supplied and used. High-visibility clothing should be worn where there is potential for interaction with road users or cyclists. The Shoreditch gardening teams will receive guidance on selecting and maintaining PPE to reduce exposure to mechanical, chemical and biological hazards.
Incident reporting and emergency procedures: All incidents, near misses and hazards must be reported promptly so that remedial action can be taken and lessons learned. The company will maintain an incident log, provide basic first aid arrangements at sites and ensure employees know emergency contact protocols and assembly points. Serious incidents will be investigated to identify root causes and prevent recurrence.
Training and competence: The business will ensure that staff receive appropriate induction, job-specific training and periodic refresher training. This includes safe use of chainsaws, brushcutters, ride-on mowers, manual handling techniques and manual tools. Competence will be assessed and recorded, and temporary workers will be supervised until deemed competent.
Monitoring, review and continuous improvement: Performance is monitored through site inspections, toolbox talks and audits. The health and safety policy will be reviewed at regular intervals or when operations change, following an incident, or when new legislation or guidance affects our work. Continuous improvement is driven by feedback from teams and lessons learned from day-to-day operations.
Final statement: Gardener Shoreditch and its affiliated gardening crews commit to maintaining a safe working environment for everyone involved in garden maintenance and landscaping. By embedding these principles—clear responsibilities, robust risk assessments, proper training, suitable PPE and effective incident management—we aim to deliver reliable, safe gardening services across our service area while protecting people and the environment.