Health and Safety Policy — Gardener Honor Oak

Scope and purpose

This Health and Safety Policy sets out the standards and procedures followed by Gardener Honor Oak and associated teams to protect staff, clients and the public during all garden maintenance and landscaping activities. It applies to operations carried out by the Honor Oak gardener, contracted operatives, volunteers and any subcontracted gardening company Honor Oak personnel. The policy emphasises hazard identification, competent supervision and the use of safe systems of work to reduce risk while delivering high-quality horticultural services.

The policy supports a culture where safety is integral to planning and delivery. Responsibilities are defined for managers, supervisors and operatives to ensure consistent application of safe working practices. Our commitment extends to ensuring appropriate training, providing suitable equipment and maintaining clear communication with clients about on-site hazards and control measures. This approach helps to safeguard health and prevent accidents during both routine garden maintenance in Honor Oak and specialist horticultural tasks.

Risk assessment lies at the heart of our approach. Before any task, a documented assessment identifies hazards, evaluates risks and records control measures. Assessments cover typical risks in a gardening environment, including slips, trips and falls, manual handling, machinery hazards, chemical exposures and working at height, and are adapted for domestic and communal sites served by the gardening service in Honor Oak. Control measures are applied in accordance with a hierarchy of controls: elimination, substitution, engineering, administrative actions and personal protective equipment.

Roles, responsibilities and training

The company director and managers hold overall responsibility for implementing this policy and ensuring that the Honor Oak gardening service complies with it. Supervisors are responsible for site-level risk management, tool checks and confirming that operatives understand task-specific safe methods. All staff and contractors are required to follow instructions, use issued PPE and report hazards or near-misses promptly so corrective actions can be taken.

Training and competence are emphasised. Induction covers general safety, emergency procedures and the safe use of standard equipment. Job-specific training is provided for chainsaws, shredders, brushcutters, pressure washers and powered lawnmowers. Competency checks, refresher training and on-the-job supervision are used to maintain safe working standards across our Honor Oak gardeners and maintenance crews.

Standard operating procedures (SOPs) and safe systems of work accompany higher-risk tasks. These SOPs outline step-by-step controls and PPE requirements. Where appropriate, a permit-to-work system is used for complex or high-risk jobs. Staff are encouraged to adopt a proactive approach, using stop-work authority when unsafe conditions or unknown hazards are encountered.

Personal protective equipment and plant safety

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided to all operatives and must be used as required by task risk assessments. Typical PPE includes gloves, eye protection, hearing protection, hi-vis clothing, safety boots and chainsaw trousers for relevant work. Regular checks ensure PPE is serviceable and replaced when damaged. A clear maintenance schedule covers machinery, including pre-use checks and recorded servicing for powered tools used by the garden maintenance in Honor Oak teams.

Working equipment is selected to minimize risk where possible; for instance, using guarded tools and low-vibration models reduces exposure to mechanical hazards. Equipment defects are reported immediately and removed from service until repaired. Fuel and battery storage is managed to reduce fire risk, and charging areas are controlled to prevent accidental ignition.

Waste management and environmental safety form part of our safety planning. Green waste is segregated from hazardous materials and disposed of responsibly. The policy includes guidance on the safe use, storage and disposal of agrochemicals and fertilizers, and stipulates that only trained personnel apply chemicals according to product instructions and label directions. The company promotes low-impact methods wherever feasible to protect both workers and local ecosystems.

Emergency procedures, reporting and review

Emergency arrangements are in place for incidents such as injury, fire or severe weather. All staff are briefed on first aid provision, emergency contact arrangements and site evacuation procedures. Incidents, accidents and near-misses are recorded, investigated and used to inform improvements. A formal review cycle ensures that risk assessments, training records and safety procedures are updated to reflect changes in work practices, new equipment or emerging hazards.

Managers conduct regular site inspections and audits to verify compliance and identify opportunities to improve safety performance across the gardening company Honor Oak operations. Lessons learned from incidents are shared with the team and incorporated into toolbox talks and refresher sessions to ensure continuous learning and improvement.

In summary, this policy represents the commitment of Gardener Honor Oak to maintain a safe working environment for staff, clients and the public through clear responsibilities, effective risk control, training, and ongoing review. Our aim is to deliver reliable, professional gardening services while keeping safety central to everything we do.