City Garden Health and Safety Policy

City Garden is committed to providing gardening and grounds care services in a way that protects the health, safety and welfare of our employees, contractors, clients, visitors and members of the public. This Health and Safety Policy explains our principles, responsibilities and procedures for managing risks associated with our work.

Policy Aims and Objectives

Our aim is to prevent accidents, injuries and ill health arising from our gardening activities. We seek to identify hazards in advance, reduce risks as far as is reasonably practicable and promote a positive safety culture throughout our operations.

To achieve this, City Garden will integrate health and safety planning into everyday work, ensure appropriate resources are available, and review performance regularly so that standards are continually improved.

Management Responsibilities

Senior management at City Garden holds overall responsibility for health and safety performance. They are responsible for setting clear expectations, approving safe systems of work, and ensuring that all staff understand their responsibilities.

Managers and supervisors must implement this policy on site, carry out risk assessments, communicate safe working procedures, provide suitable training and monitor compliance. They must respond promptly to any health and safety concerns raised by employees or clients.

Employee Responsibilities

Every employee of City Garden has a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of colleagues and members of the public who may be affected by their actions. Staff must follow instructions and training, use equipment correctly, wear appropriate personal protective equipment and immediately report any hazards, defects, near misses or incidents.

Employees must not misuse or interfere with anything provided for health, safety or welfare, and must inform management if they feel work cannot be carried out safely.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Practices

City Garden will carry out suitable and proportionate risk assessments for gardening tasks such as lawn care, planting, pruning, hedge cutting, tree work, use of power tools, application of garden products and waste handling. Where necessary, site specific assessments will be completed before work starts.

Control measures may include planning work to avoid unnecessary risks, segregating work areas, using appropriate tools, setting exclusion zones, and adjusting work methods to suit weather, ground conditions and site layout. Safe systems of work will be communicated to all team members before tasks begin.

Use of Tools, Machinery and Vehicles

City Garden will ensure that tools, machinery and vehicles used for gardening activities are suitable for the task, maintained in safe working order and inspected regularly. Only trained and authorised personnel may operate powered equipment such as mowers, trimmers, blowers, chainsaws or machinery used for ground preparation.

Equipment must be checked before use, used strictly in accordance with training and manufacturer guidance, and taken out of service immediately if any defect is identified. Vehicles will be operated safely, with attention to loading, reversing and movement in residential or public spaces.

Personal Protective Equipment

City Garden provides appropriate personal protective equipment where risks cannot be fully controlled by other means. This may include safety footwear, gloves, eye and ear protection, high visibility clothing, helmets for relevant work, and respiratory protection where required.

Employees are required to wear PPE as instructed, keep it in good condition and report any damage or loss so that it can be replaced promptly.

Chemicals and Garden Products

Where fertilisers, weed control products or other garden chemicals are used, City Garden will follow product safety information and any applicable regulations for storage, handling, application and disposal.

Only trained personnel may apply such products, using appropriate equipment and PPE. Measures will be taken to protect people, pets, wildlife, planting and water sources from unintended exposure.

Public and Client Safety

Because gardening work often takes place in shared or open environments, City Garden places strong emphasis on protecting clients, visitors and the public. Work areas may be cordoned off or signposted where there is a risk of contact with equipment, falling debris or moving vehicles.

We will plan work to minimise disturbance, keep access routes clear where possible and maintain good housekeeping to avoid slips, trips and falls. Clients will be informed of any temporary restrictions that may affect their use of the garden or outdoor space during our work.

Manual Handling and Ergonomics

Many gardening tasks involve lifting, carrying, digging and repetitive movements. City Garden will reduce manual handling risks by using mechanical aids and appropriate techniques wherever practical, and by planning work to avoid unnecessary strain.

Staff will receive guidance on safe lifting, posture and pacing of work, and are encouraged to report early signs of discomfort or injury so that tasks or methods can be adjusted.

Training, Supervision and Communication

City Garden will provide information, instruction and training relevant to each role, including induction training for new starters and refresher training where required. Specialist training will be given for higher risk activities or particular equipment.

Supervisors will ensure that less experienced staff are appropriately supported and monitored. Health and safety issues will be discussed regularly to maintain awareness and to encourage open communication about improvements.

Accidents, Incidents and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported to management as soon as possible. Details are recorded and investigated so that root causes can be understood and corrective actions taken.

First aid arrangements will be in place appropriate to the size and nature of the team on site. Employees will be briefed on emergency procedures, including how to respond to injuries, fires, spills or other unexpected events while working in gardens and outdoor spaces.

Health, Welfare and Wellbeing

City Garden recognises that outdoor work can involve exposure to weather, noise, vibration and seasonal conditions. We will take reasonable steps to protect staff from extreme heat, cold, sunlight and wet conditions by planning work schedules, providing suitable clothing recommendations and encouraging regular breaks and hydration.

We are committed to supporting the overall wellbeing of our workforce and will consider both physical and mental health when planning work.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

This Health and Safety Policy will be monitored on an ongoing basis and formally reviewed at regular intervals, or sooner if there are significant changes in our activities, legislation or best practice. Lessons from incidents, feedback from employees and clients, and results of inspections will be used to improve our arrangements.

By working together and following this policy, City Garden aims to deliver high quality gardening services while maintaining a safe and healthy environment for everyone involved.