Health and Safety Policy — Gardeners Archway
This Health and Safety Policy sets out the commitment of Gardeners Archway and affiliated crews to maintain a safe working environment for staff, clients and the public. The policy applies to all landscaping, maintenance and horticultural work undertaken by our Archway gardeners and gardening teams. It is designed to reduce risk through clear responsibilities, routine risk assessment and continuous improvement.
Our company ethos places safety alongside quality of service. Gardeners Archway expects every team member to follow safe systems of work and to report hazards promptly. This policy complements operational procedures covering equipment, plant, chemicals and personal protective equipment (PPE), and supports managers in implementing practical control measures across the service area.
Scope: the policy covers every activity undertaken by the gardening company, from routine lawn care and hedge trimming to larger landscaping and green-space maintenance. Archway gardeners must be familiar with on-site risk assessments and method statements relevant to their tasks, and must adhere to site-specific rules and client-specified requirements.
Responsibilities: Management will ensure that there are adequate resources to implement this safety policy, including training, equipment and supervision. Supervisors must monitor compliance and carry out regular inspections. All staff are required to cooperate, follow instruction, and use equipment safely. Visitors and subcontractors must be made aware of significant hazards when they attend sites.
Risk assessment drives our work planning. Before starting work, teams will identify hazards, evaluate risks and apply proportionate controls such as segregation of public areas, temporary signage, and control of mechanical plant. Garden work risk controls include isolation procedures for live boundaries, electrical safety checks, and secure storage for hazardous substances.
Training and competence: Gardeners Archway invests in practical training and refreshers to ensure competence in tree work, pesticide use, powered equipment operation and manual handling. Staff will receive inductions, tool-specific instruction and periodic assessment. Any worker who is not competent is not permitted to carry out high-risk tasks unsupervised.
Equipment and maintenance: All powered tools, trailers and ride-on mowers are subject to routine maintenance and pre-start checks. Faulty equipment must be taken out of service immediately and reported. Safe systems include lock-out procedures, correct guarding, and appropriate engine shut-down steps to prevent accidental starting.
Personal protective equipment: PPE such as eye protection, gloves, hearing protection and high-visibility clothing will be supplied and must be worn when required. Footwear appropriate to site conditions is mandatory. Respiratory protection will be used for dusty tasks or when handling certain chemicals. PPE is the last line of defense and must be used with other control measures.
Safe work practices: The gardening team follow clear procedures for manual handling, working at height, tree climbing and ladder use. The company prohibits lone working on high-risk tasks and implements buddy systems where necessary. Emergency arrangements including first aid provision, evacuation routes and contact protocols are maintained on every site.
Hazardous substances: COSHH-style controls are applied to all chemicals used by the gardening crew. Substances are stored securely, labelled correctly and used only by trained personnel. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) or equivalent information will be available to staff and replaced whenever new products are introduced.
Incident reporting and investigation: All accidents, near-misses and hazardous observations must be reported promptly so remedial action can be taken. A clear system for reporting, recording and investigating incidents helps us identify trends and prevent recurrence. Records are retained and used to inform training and operational changes.
Monitoring, review and continuous improvement: The policy is reviewed at regular intervals and after significant incidents or operational changes. Gardeners Archway uses audits, toolbox talks and site inspections to monitor compliance. Corrective actions are tracked to completion and lessons learned are shared across teams. This approach supports resilient, sustainable safety performance.
Communication and consultation are central: staff are encouraged to raise concerns and suggest improvements. Regular briefings, written notices and supervisor check-ins reinforce safe working standards. An accessible policy and clear responsibilities help ensure that every gardener, landscaping operative and manager understands their role in maintaining a safe working environment.
Conclusion: By embedding safety into daily operations, Gardeners Archway protects its people, clients and the public while delivering high-quality gardening and landscaping services. This policy is part of our commitment to a proactive safety culture that values training, clear procedures and shared responsibility across the entire service area.
Key commitments
- Prevent harm through effective risk control
- Provide training and protective equipment
- Maintain plant and tools in safe condition
- Investigate incidents and act on findings
- Continuously review and improve safety practices
Signed
Company leadership — on behalf of all Gardeners Archway staff and partners. This policy is reviewed periodically and when necessary to reflect operational or regulatory changes.
