Health and Safety Policy — Gardening Services Seven Sisters

Purpose: This policy sets out the commitment of Gardening Services Seven Sisters and associated teams to protect the health, safety and welfare of employees, contractors and clients while delivering high-quality garden maintenance and landscaping. It applies to every member of the Seven Sisters gardening services workforce and to subcontractors engaged by the gardening company in Seven Sisters. The objective is to reduce risk, prevent injury and promote safe working practices across all sites and domestic properties where we operate.

Scope: The policy covers routine maintenance, hedge and tree work, turfing, planting, waste removal and any light construction or hard landscaping tasks. All activities performed by Seven Sisters garden maintenance crews must follow the standards described here. All operatives are expected to read, understand and comply with this policy as part of their contract of employment.

Policy Statement: Our aim is to manage hazards so that risks to people and property are minimised. The gardening services in Seven Sisters will ensure that:

• Risk assessments are completed before new work starts;
• PPE is provided and used appropriately;
• Equipment is safe and maintained;
• Training is given for safe methods and emergency response.

Responsibilities and Roles

Management will ensure that safe systems of work are designed, resourced and reviewed. Site supervisors and crew leaders for the local gardening services in Seven Sisters must make sure risk assessments and job briefs are carried out. Employees are responsible for working safely, using PPE and reporting hazards. Visitors and clients should be given clear directions to avoid work areas while tasks are underway.

Training and Competence: The gardening company Seven Sisters commits to providing induction training, task-specific instruction and refresher courses. Training includes safe use of power tools, manual handling, ladder safety and safe pesticide application where relevant. Competence is assessed through observation and documented checks, with records retained to demonstrate compliance with internal standards.

The following list outlines key duties for all staff and contractors:

• Follow safe working procedures and job-specific instructions.
• Use and maintain PPE provided by the employer.
• Report defects, accidents and near misses immediately.
• Participate in training and toolbox talks.

Risk Management and Site Controls

Risk assessments for each assignment must identify hazards such as traffic, underground services, uneven ground, tree work above head height, dust and noise. Controls include establishing exclusion zones, using barriers or signage, locating safe parking for vehicles and employing a banksman where necessary for vehicle movements. For contracting jobs, we ensure coordination with other trades to prevent overlapping hazards.

Equipment, Maintenance and PPE: All machinery and tools used by Seven Sisters gardeners are subject to regular inspection and maintenance schedules. Only trained operatives may use chainsaws, shredders, or powered hedge cutters. PPE such as high-visibility clothing, safety boots, gloves, eye and ear protection, and cut-resistant garments are provided and must be worn where risk assessment indicates. Equipment defects are to be taken out of service and reported without delay.

Chemical Safety, Waste and Environmental Considerations

Use of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers is controlled: substances are stored securely, used only by authorised staff and applied according to manufacturers' instructions. Waste management follows the principles of segregation, safe containment and lawful disposal. The gardening services near Seven Sisters will avoid unnecessary chemical use and promote sustainable alternatives where practical.

Emergency Preparedness and Reporting: In the event of an incident, first aid must be administered by trained personnel and emergency services contacted if required. All accidents, near misses and health concerns must be reported through the company incident process so that corrective actions can be taken. Records of incidents are maintained for monitoring and continuous improvement.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement: The safety performance of the gardening company in Seven Sisters is regularly reviewed through site audits, supervision and consultation with staff. Performance indicators include accident rates, audit outcomes and completion of training. This policy will be reviewed at least annually or after a significant incident, change in operations or relevant legislation change to ensure it remains effective and appropriate for the scale of our gardening operations.

Commitment: By adhering to this policy, Seven Sisters gardening services demonstrate a strong commitment to safe, responsible and professional garden maintenance and landscaping. Every member of the team is expected to play an active role in achieving a safe working environment and in supporting the continuous development of health and safety standards across all sites and projects.