Gardening Lee Health and Safety Policy

Gardening Lee is committed to providing a safe working environment for employees, contractors and clients engaged with our gardening and landscaping services. This Health and Safety Policy outlines our approach to hazard control, risk management and safe delivery of garden maintenance, grounds care and soft landscaping tasks. The policy applies to all staff, seasonal workers and subcontractors working on behalf of Gardening Lee.

Our aim as a professional gardening company is to integrate safety into every aspect of service delivery. We recognise that proactive risk management protects people, property and the environment. Managers and team leads are responsible for implementing safe systems of work, and every operative is required to follow established procedures and use issued protective equipment.

All work undertaken by Lee gardening teams will be preceded by a practical assessment of hazards and risks. Routine tasks such as mowing, pruning, planting and hedge-cutting carry specific risks that we manage through method statements and safe working practices. We use a hierarchy of control: eliminate hazards where possible; substitute with lower-risk methods; apply engineering or administrative controls; and ensure appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is worn.

Responsibilities and Training

Responsibilities for health and safety are defined at every level. Senior management provides leadership and resources, supervisors coordinate safe operations on site, and operatives must follow instructions and report hazards. Gardening Lee invests in ongoing training so all staff receive induction, route-specific instruction and refreshers on equipment, manual handling and working at height where relevant.

Our training programme covers safe operation of power tools, hand tools, and small machinery, correct use of ladders and access equipment, chemical handling awareness and emergency first-aid procedures. Records of qualifications and training sessions are maintained to ensure competence across our team. We encourage a culture where colleagues feel confident to raise concerns and suggest safety improvements.

We adopt clear site controls for common risks and maintain a system for reporting incidents and near-misses. Every incident is recorded, investigated and used to prevent recurrence. Documentation such as daily site briefings, toolbox talks and vehicle checklists supports consistent safety standards across all Gardening Lee projects.

Equipment, PPE and Maintenance

Safe working depends on well-maintained tools and appropriate personal protective equipment. Gardening Lee provides and enforces use of PPE including gloves, eye protection, high-visibility clothing, hearing protection and protective footwear where required. Equipment is inspected before use, serviced as recommended and withdrawn from service if faulty.

We control exposure to hazardous substances by using approved products, following manufacturer instructions and keeping safe storage practices. Staff are briefed on the risks associated with chemicals used in horticultural work, and spill response procedures are in place to reduce environmental and health impacts. Regular checks ensure containment and safe disposal.

Operational safety extends to vehicles, trailers and site access. Drivers and operatives follow secure loading practices and traffic management measures when operating on public or private sites. Where work is carried out near public pathways, clear signage and barriers are used to protect passersby and clients. Gardening Lee also maintains a permit-to-work mindset for higher-risk activities, ensuring appropriate supervision and control.

Emergency preparedness and first-aid arrangements are provided across all gardening activities. We maintain on-site first-aid kits and ensure trained first-aiders are available. In the event of a serious injury, we have procedures to secure the scene, administer aid and liaise with emergency services. Evacuation plans are reviewed for larger worksites or events involving multiple teams.

Consultation and communication are central to our safety culture. Staff meetings, safety notices and digital updates keep the whole team informed about changes to procedures, seasonal risks and learning from incident reviews. Gardening Lee values employee engagement and encourages suggestions to improve workplace safety and operational efficiency.

To ensure practical application of this policy, we will:

• Conduct regular risk assessments and update controls as tasks or conditions change.
• Provide training and competence checks for all team members on relevant garden services including mowing, pruning and planting.
• Maintain equipment and enforce PPE use to reduce risks from machinery and tools.
• Record and review incidents to drive continuous improvement in safety performance.
• Promote responsible environmental practices during maintenance and landscaping operations.

By following this policy, Gardening Lee ensures that day-to-day operations for our garden maintenance, grounds management and landscaping services are delivered safely and responsibly. Every team member has a role in creating a safe workplace, and management is committed to providing the support and resources necessary to achieve that.

Policy review: This policy will be reviewed regularly to reflect changes in industry practice, equipment or service delivery. Updates will be communicated to all staff and implemented through training and procedural changes. Gardening Lee is dedicated to continuous improvement, aiming to reduce incidents and provide safe, high-quality gardening services.

Approval: This Health and Safety Policy is endorsed by Gardening Lee leadership and forms the basis for operational decisions and daily working routines across our gardening company. All personnel are expected to adhere to the principles and procedures set out here in order to protect themselves, colleagues, clients and the community.