Health and Safety Policy — Gardening Hampstead Services

Our Health and Safety Policy sets out the commitment of Gardening Hampstead and associated teams to protect the wellbeing of staff, clients and the public. This policy applies to all park, garden and private landscape work delivered by our Hampstead gardening crews and to anyone affected by our activities. We will maintain a safe working environment through proactive risk control, training and consistent supervision. The purpose is to minimise harm while delivering high-quality garden services in Hampstead and nearby areas.

Responsibilities and Management Commitment

Management will ensure that adequate resources are allocated to meet safety objectives, and that policies are communicated and enforced. Every employee, subcontractor and volunteer working on behalf of Hampstead gardening operations has a duty to co-operate with safety measures, to follow instructions and to report hazards. Line managers are responsible for conducting regular site inspections, ensuring equipment is maintained, and that staff receive the necessary information, instruction and supervision to do their tasks safely.

A fundamental element of our approach is systematic risk assessment. Before starting any job our teams complete a tailored assessment that identifies hazards, evaluates risks and specifies control measures. Typical assessments for garden services in Hampstead include manual handling risks, use of power tools, working at height on small structures, traffic and public access management, and exposure to hazardous substances. Findings are recorded and used to develop safe work procedures.

Training, Competence and Personal Protective Equipment

We require that all staff performing landscape maintenance and gardening tasks are trained to the level of competence appropriate to their responsibilities. Training covers safe equipment operation, pesticide awareness, first aid basics, emergency procedures and safe lifting techniques. Employees must use appropriate PPE — such as gloves, safety boots, eye protection and hearing protection — as identified in risk assessments. Supervisors will check PPE use and replace worn items promptly.

Equipment safety is essential. All mowers, chainsaws, hedge trimmers and powered tools used by our Hampstead landscape maintenance teams are inspected before use and serviced according to manufacturer guidance. Only authorised personnel operate specialist machinery. Guards, emergency stops and safety devices are never bypassed. For manual work, correct tools are supplied to reduce strain and repetitive injury.

To support safe operations we maintain clear communication systems on site, including the use of radios or mobile phones for teams working across larger properties. Safety briefings are held at the start of work and whenever conditions change. Near-miss reporting is encouraged to identify latent hazards and prevent incidents.

Emergency preparedness is a priority for our gardening business. First aid kits are carried on vehicles and at central depots, and designated first-aiders are available during working hours. In the event of an incident, staff follow the incident response protocol: secure the area, render first aid, contact emergency services if needed, and report the event to management. Incidents are investigated to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.

Control of hazardous substances follows safe storage and handling rules. Chemicals used in garden maintenance, including pesticides and fuels, are managed under a documented system that references safety data sheets, appropriate dilution procedures and spill response measures. Fuel is stored in approved containers and away from ignition sources, and staff are trained in safe refuelling practices to prevent fire and environmental contamination.

Monitoring, record keeping and continual improvement underpin our policy. We keep records of risk assessments, training, equipment maintenance, incident reports and health surveillance where appropriate. Regular audits and site inspections ensure compliance with policy and allow us to refine procedures. This policy is reviewed at least annually or sooner if there are changes to operations, equipment or relevant best practice. Through ongoing review we aim to raise standards across all garden services in Hampstead and surrounding neighbourhoods.