Health & Safety Policy — Garden Maintenance Northolt
Garden Maintenance Northolt is committed to providing a safe working environment for employees, clients and the public while delivering professional garden maintenance in Northolt and surrounding service areas. This policy sets out the principles and practical steps the company will follow to minimise risk, protect health and promote safe working practices. Safety underpins every task we undertake, from routine lawn care to complex landscape works, and applies equally to seasonal teams, subcontractors and visitors to site.Policy scope and objectives
This health and safety policy covers all aspects of our gardening services Northolt and applies to all staff and operatives while on duty. The objectives are to: reduce workplace incidents, ensure lawful and ethical management of hazardous substances, provide appropriate training and equipment, and maintain clear communication about risks. The policy also supports continuous improvement through regular review, recorded audits and active consultation with employees.
Management commitment and responsibilities: senior managers will lead by example, allocating resources for training, personal protective equipment and safe machinery. Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for implementing site-specific risk assessments and for ensuring that every operative understands their duties. Individual employees must follow safe systems of work, report hazards, and use issued PPE. Where works interact with customers or third parties, the team will coordinate safe access and egress to protect the public and the workforce.
Risk assessment and control measures are fundamental to our approach. Before commencing work the responsible operative will complete a dynamic, site-specific assessment, identifying hazards such as uneven ground, contact with thorny plants, exposure to pesticides, manual handling and powered equipment. Typical hazards include:
- Trips, slips and falls on wet or uneven surfaces
- Lacerations and entanglement from powered tools
- Manual handling injuries during lifting and loading
Control strategies emphasise elimination where possible, substitution of less hazardous products, engineering controls and administrative measures. Operatives receive training on safe use of mowers, strimmers and hand tools, and on correct storage and handling of fuels and biodegradable chemicals. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as gloves, eye protection, hearing protection and high-visibility clothing is supplied and maintained. Training records and competency checks are retained to demonstrate ongoing compliance and to target refresher training.
Equipment, maintenance and vehicle safety
All machinery and tools used by our Northolt garden maintenance teams are subject to a planned maintenance programme. Pre-start checks are mandatory and any defective equipment is removed from service and logged. Fuel and battery charging are managed in designated areas to reduce ignition risk, and safe lifting techniques and mechanical aids are used to avoid strain injuries. Vehicles used for transporting staff and equipment are driven responsibly and loaded to maintain safe weight distribution.Emergency preparedness: first aid kits are available on all operational vehicles and at major sites, and selected employees hold current first aid qualifications. Operatives are trained to manage common field injuries, to summon emergency services when required, and to secure the scene to prevent further harm. Fire risk assessments are completed for storage areas and emergency response plans are communicated clearly. Lone working protocols and check-in systems protect staff who work remotely or at client properties.
Incident reporting, investigation and learning: all accidents, near misses and safety concerns must be reported promptly. The company maintains an incident log and conducts proportionate investigations to identify root causes and corrective actions. Findings are shared with teams through briefings to prevent recurrence. Disciplinary measures are only used where unsafe acts or wilful negligence occur; the primary aim is education and prevention.
Monitoring, review and continuous improvement: Health and safety performance is monitored through routine site inspections, toolbox talks and periodic audits. Policies and procedures are reviewed at least annually or after significant incidents, with changes communicated to all staff. Employee consultation is central to effective risk control; workers are encouraged to participate in safety meetings and to propose improvements. The company will maintain records of training, inspections and maintenance to demonstrate accountability and to support ongoing development of safer working practices.
Implementation and culture: leadership promotes a positive safety culture where everyone understands that safety and quality are inseparable. Managers will ensure that adequate resources are available, that roles are clearly defined and that compliance is monitored. Staff are supported to stop work if they believe conditions are unsafe, and an open reporting culture is actively encouraged to identify hazards early.
Scope of application: this policy applies to all operations undertaken by the company whether domestic or commercial, including seasonal contracts and one-off projects within the service area. While developed for our local teams, the approach follows recognised good practice for garden maintenance and landscape services and is adaptable to different sites and client requirements.
Conclusion: Garden Maintenance Northolt is committed to maintaining high standards of health and safety across all activities. By applying robust risk management, delivering structured training, and encouraging shared responsibility, the company seeks to protect people, property and the environment while delivering reliable gardening and landscape services. This policy is endorsed by senior management and will be reviewed regularly to ensure its continuing suitability and effectiveness.