Gardener Shadwell Health & Safety Policy

Gardener Shadwell is committed to maintaining high standards of health, safety and welfare for all employees, contractors and clients when delivering gardening and grounds maintenance services. This policy applies across our service area and sets out responsibilities, safe working procedures and the approach to managing risk for the gardening company Shadwell and associated teams. Safety is integral to how we operate and plan all landscape work.

Scope and responsibilities

The purpose of this policy is to protect people, property and the environment. Directors and managers of Gardener in Shadwell are responsible for providing resources and leadership. Supervisors must ensure safe systems are followed; operatives and the Shadwell gardener teams must follow procedures, report hazards and attend required training. Everyone must cooperate to ensure safe site operations and maintain clear communication about safety risks.

Risk assessment and planning are core to our safe working approach. Prior to any work we carry out site-specific assessments that identify hazards such as unstable terrain, live utilities, pesticide use and manual handling demands. Controls are selected to eliminate or reduce risk, and documented in job briefings. Planning includes selecting appropriate equipment, assigning competent staff and scheduling work to minimize exposure to hazards.

PPE and equipment standards are enforced across all gardening operations. Employees are provided with and must wear suitable personal protective equipment including gloves, eye protection, hearing protection and protective footwear for relevant tasks. Tools and machinery used by the Shadwell gardening team are maintained, inspected and tested in line with manufacturer guidance; defects are reported immediately and equipment taken out of service until repaired.

Safe use of machinery and tools

Operation of mowers, trimmers, chainsaws and other powered tools is restricted to trained and authorised personnel. Training and competence are recorded and reviewed regularly. Safe operating procedures include site set-up, exclusion zones, daily pre-use checks and secure transport of machinery. Contractors engaged by Gardener Shadwell must demonstrate equivalent competence before being permitted to work.

Hazardous substances are handled with care. Where chemical control products or oils are required, we apply controls to minimize exposure: substitute less hazardous products when available, limit quantities on site, use correct dilution and follow safe application methods. Relevant product information is retained and accessible; spill kits and containment arrangements are in place. Key controls include:

• Elimination or substitution where practical;
• Engineering and administrative controls such as barriers and task rotation;
• PPE appropriate to the substance and task.

Work near roads, footpaths and public spaces requires additional measures. Traffic management, signage and visible high-visibility clothing are used to protect workers and the public. Lone working procedures are implemented for remote tasks and check-in protocols are in place. The Shadwell gardener services operate with an emphasis on preventing public access to active worksites and ensuring secure storage of tools and materials.

First aid provision, incident reporting and accident investigation are mandatory. All incidents, near misses and unsafe conditions are reported promptly so that causes are identified and corrective actions implemented. Records are maintained to help reduce recurrence and to support continuous improvement in health and safety performance.

Emergency procedures cover medical emergencies, major injuries, significant environmental incidents and fire. Evacuation routes and muster points are communicated at the start of each job. Staff are briefed on emergency contacts and the location of first aid kits and fire-fighting equipment. Regular drills and reviews ensure readiness when working across the service area.

Training, supervision and competence underpin safe operations. All team members receive induction training and task-specific instruction. Records of training, qualifications and licenses are maintained and reviewed. Continuous professional development is encouraged to keep the gardening company Shadwell abreast of best practice and new safety measures.

Monitoring and review are ongoing. The safety management system includes routine inspections, audits and performance reviews to ensure compliance and detect opportunities for improvement. This policy is reviewed at least annually and updated as necessary to reflect operational changes, innovations in safety practice and lessons learned from incident investigations. By adhering to these principles, Gardener Shadwell seeks to provide a safe, healthy workplace and reliable gardening services across the areas we serve.