Health and Safety Policy for Super Gardener

Purpose: This policy sets out the health and safety commitments of Super Gardener and associated garden maintenance and landscaping operations. It applies to everyone working for, on behalf of, or visiting the company whether engaged on a temporary basis or as part of ongoing gardening services. The aim is to prevent accidents and occupational ill health, and to ensure safe, reliable service delivery across our gardening company service area.

Scope and Objectives

This policy covers all routine and non-routine activities carried out by Super Gardener and its representatives, including lawn care, planting, hedge trimming, tree works, turfing, irrigation, and grounds maintenance. Objectives include: minimising risk, providing safe systems of work, ensuring competent supervision and training, and maintaining plant and equipment so that operations by the garden care provider are conducted safely and responsibly.

Policy Principles

SuperGardener will:

• Comply with relevant health and safety standards and adopt best practice in horticulture and grounds work.
• Assess risks and implement control measures proportional to the hazards presented by each project.
• Provide information, instruction, and training to employees and subcontractors so everyone understands their responsibilities.

These principles underpin service delivery by the local gardener teams and support consistent standards across the wider landscaping service network.

Responsibilities

Management responsibilities: Senior management will ensure adequate resources are available for safety measures, regular review of procedures, and appointment of competent persons to oversee site safety. Super Gardener managers will maintain records of risk assessments, equipment maintenance, and training. Employee responsibilities: All operatives must follow safe working procedures, report hazards, and use provided personal protective equipment.

Risk Assessment and Safe Working

Risk assessments are carried out for every significant task before work begins. Controls will follow a hierarchy: eliminate hazards where feasible, substitute safer methods or equipment, apply engineering controls, adopt administrative controls, and provide appropriate PPE. Typical hazards in gardening work include manual handling, slips and trips, use of powered equipment, chemical handling (fertilisers and plant treatments), working at height, and traffic management on sites. The risk control measures are documented and proportionate to scale and complexity of the task.

Training and competence form a vital part of risk reduction. Super Gardener supports continuous professional development, regular toolbox talks, and competency checks for specialist activities such as chainsaw use, pesticide application, and tree climbing. Records of training and medical fitness where required are maintained to ensure the garden maintenance company offers qualified operatives for higher-risk tasks.

Equipment, Tools and Maintenance

Equipment supplied by the company is selected to reduce risk and is subject to routine inspection and maintenance. Tools are to be checked by operatives before use and defects reported immediately. Mechanical equipment has documented servicing schedules and operators receive instructions and training in safe use. Where contractors supply plant, Super Gardener requires evidence of their maintenance regimes and that the plant meets safety requirements.

Personal Protective Equipment and Health

The company provides appropriate PPE including eye protection, gloves, hearing protection, hi-visibility clothing, and respiratory protection where required. Employees must wear PPE as specified for the task. Occupational health considerations, such as manual handling guidance, heat stress management, and safe exposure limits to chemicals, are built into project planning. Illness or injuries must be reported promptly so affected personnel can be assessed, supported, and restricted from duties that may exacerbate risks.

Incident Reporting, Emergencies and Monitoring

All incidents, near-misses, and hazards are to be reported and investigated to prevent recurrence. Emergency procedures are in place for medical emergencies, fires, and severe weather events. Super Gardener conducts regular audits and site inspections to monitor compliance and performance. Performance metrics and findings from inspections inform continuous improvement and any necessary updates to policies or procedures.

Communication and Review

Super Gardener will communicate this policy to staff, partners and contractors and make it readily available. The policy is reviewed annually or sooner if significant changes to operations occur. The review process considers incident records, changes in work practices, new legislation, and feedback from safety briefings so the garden care provider remains current and effective.

Commitment: Super Gardener is committed to maintaining a safe working environment for everyone affected by our work. Managers and operatives share responsibility for implementing this health and safety policy and for ensuring that the gardening services we provide are conducted competently, safely, and with respect for people and the environment.

Approval: This policy is endorsed by the organisation's leadership and is issued as the official statement of intent regarding health and safety for the business. It shall be applied consistently across the service area and with partners and suppliers engaged to support Super Gardener's operations.