Health and Safety Policy
Gardeners Clapham is committed to providing gardening services in a safe, responsible, and well-managed manner. We aim to protect our team, clients, visitors, and members of the public from avoidable harm while carrying out garden maintenance, planting, landscaping, clearance, pruning, lawn care, and related outdoor work. Safety is built into our planning, working methods, and supervision so that all tasks are completed with care and professionalism.
Our commitment
We will take reasonable and practical steps to prevent accidents and ill health by identifying hazards, assessing risks, and applying suitable control measures before work begins. This includes selecting safe methods of work, using equipment correctly, maintaining a tidy working area, and ensuring staff understand the risks associated with each job. We expect everyone working on our behalf to follow safe practices at all times and to report any concerns immediately.
Risk assessment and planning
Before starting work, we consider the site conditions, the type of task, weather, access routes, proximity to buildings, pets, children, vehicles, water features, slopes, uneven ground, and the presence of stored materials or hidden hazards. Where needed, we adapt the work plan to suit the environment and reduce risk. If conditions become unsafe, work will be paused or rescheduled. This approach helps ensure that gardens are maintained efficiently without compromising safety.
Training and competence
We make sure our team is suitably trained and competent for the work they carry out. This includes safe handling of tools and machinery, manual handling, safe use of ladders and stepping equipment where appropriate, awareness of plant and chemical products, and basic emergency procedures. We also encourage ongoing refresher training so that skills and safety awareness remain up to date. New staff or contractors are not expected to work unsupervised until they have demonstrated safe working practice.
Equipment and machinery
All tools and machinery used for gardening work must be suitable for the job, properly maintained, and checked before use. Damaged or faulty equipment must not be used. Guards, safety devices, and protective features must remain in place and in good working order. Equipment is cleaned, stored, and transported carefully to avoid damage, misuse, or injury. Fuel, batteries, and other operating materials are handled in line with safe procedures and manufacturer guidance.
Personal protective equipment
Where needed, we provide or require appropriate personal protective equipment, such as gloves, eye protection, hearing protection, sturdy footwear, and high-visibility clothing when working near vehicles or in shared access areas. PPE is used only as part of a wider safety approach and must be kept in good condition, worn correctly, and replaced when no longer effective.
Safe working methods
We promote safe manual handling by encouraging team members to lift, carry, push, and pull loads in a controlled way, using mechanical assistance or team lifting where necessary. Cutting, pruning, digging, clearing, and waste movement are carried out with attention to posture, footing, and awareness of surroundings. Particular care is taken when working near hard surfaces, walls, windows, public pathways, and fragile planting. We also manage slips, trips, and falls by keeping work areas organised and removing waste promptly.
Chemicals, waste, and environmental care
Any fertilisers, weed treatments, cleaning products, or other garden chemicals are used responsibly, stored securely, and applied only when necessary and in accordance with instructions. Waste from garden work is sorted and removed safely, with an emphasis on recycling and environmentally responsible disposal where possible. We aim to minimise disturbance to wildlife, nearby properties, and the wider environment while carrying out our services.
Reporting and review
All accidents, near misses, damage, and unsafe conditions must be reported so that action can be taken quickly and lessons can be learned. This policy is reviewed regularly to reflect changes in our services, equipment, legal requirements, and working practices. We are committed to continuous improvement and to maintaining a safe standard of service for every garden we work on.
By following this policy, Gardeners Clapham strives to deliver reliable gardening services with safety, care, and professionalism at the centre of everything we do.
