Health and Safety Policy — Gardener Sutton
Gardener Sutton is committed to maintaining a safe working environment for all staff, contractors and members of the public affected by our gardening operations. This health and safety policy applies across our service area and covers routine grounds maintenance, landscaping, garden clearance and seasonal works. It sets out our approach to risk management, employee training, equipment maintenance and incident reporting so everyone understands their role in preventing harm.
We adopt a proactive risk management approach that begins with regular assessments and the development of clear safe systems of work. All staff are required to follow safe operating procedures, wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and participate in briefings before starting tasks that present hazards. The aim is to reduce accidents, work-related ill health and environmental impacts while delivering high-quality gardening services.
Policy scope and objectives
The policy covers gardening teams, subcontractors and temporary staff engaged by the company. Objectives include:- Eliminating hazards where reasonably practicable.
- Controlling risks through prevention, safe working methods and supervision.
- Ensuring staff are competent to carry out tasks safely.
- Maintaining plant and equipment to a safe standard.
Risk assessments are completed by competent personnel before major tasks and updated when work conditions change. Hazard identification considers common gardening risks such as manual handling, contact with sharp tools, slips and trips, cuts, exposure to pesticides and fuels, noise and vibration from powered equipment, and the presence of hidden hazards in garden waste. Control measures include elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls and PPE as the final layer.
Safe working practices
Our teams follow documented safe systems of work: equipment checks before use, correct lifting techniques, use of mechanical aids where possible, secure handling and storage of fuels and chemicals, and exclusion zones when operating machinery. Lock-off procedures are used for maintenance, and toolbox talks are delivered to reinforce task-specific controls. Safe access and egress are ensured for all working areas and public routes are protected while work is underway.
Training and competence are central to our policy. Staff receive induction training, refresher sessions and task-specific instruction. Training covers the safe operation of mowers, chainsaws, hedge trimmers, trimmers, and chipper/shredders, plus correct PPE selection and use. Staff are trained to recognise symptoms of heat stress, allergic reactions and the safe use of herbicides and fertilizers following product guidance. Records of training and assessments of competence are maintained.
Vehicle and plant safety are managed through routine inspections, maintenance schedules and safe-loading procedures. Operatives are trained in vehicle-based risk controls such as reversing procedures, secure tool storage and guarding of moving parts. Fueling is carried out in well-ventilated areas with spill kits available and staff trained in spill response to prevent environmental contamination.
Emergency procedures are in place to respond to incidents, including first aid, fire and severe weather events. First aid provisions are determined by site risk assessment and include trained first aiders, accessible kits and communication plans. Incidents, near misses and hazards must be reported promptly so corrective actions can be taken. Incident investigation aims to identify root causes and prevent recurrence.
Lone working and working near public spaces present particular risks. We implement additional controls for solo operatives such as check-in systems, mobile communication, planned schedules and pre-task risk checks. When operating in public-facing areas, our teams use barriers, signage and high-visibility clothing to protect passersby and comply with public safety expectations.
Environmental considerations are integrated into our safety approach. Waste management, responsible use of chemicals and fuel-efficient working practices reduce our ecological footprint and the risk of harm to wildlife and the public. Spill prevention, containment equipment and correct disposal procedures for green waste and hazardous substances are mandatory.
Contractor and subcontractor management ensures that anyone engaged to work alongside or for the company meets our health and safety standards. This includes evidence of appropriate insurance, training records, and agreement to follow our policies and procedures while on site. Supervision and auditing check compliance, and corrective actions are tracked until closed.
Roles and responsibilities: the management team provides leadership, resources and oversight to implement this policy; supervisors ensure safe systems are followed day-to-day; employees and operatives must work safely and report hazards; and health and safety representatives support consultation and communication processes. The policy is reviewed regularly to reflect operational changes and to drive continual improvement in our gardening services and safety performance.