Health and Safety Policy — Garden Maintenance Chessington
Garden Maintenance Chessington is committed to providing a safe working environment for staff, contractors and the public. This policy sets out responsibilities, procedures and standards that govern all gardening operations delivered by our team, including routine lawn care, pruning, planting and landscape upkeep. The aim is to prevent injury and ill-health while ensuring consistent, compliant delivery of garden services in Chessington and surrounding areas.Policy scope and objectives
This policy applies to everyone engaged in garden maintenance in Chessington projects and to any subcontractors appointed to carry out work on our behalf. Our objectives are to: provide a clear safety framework; minimise risks arising from plant, equipment and materials; ensure staff are trained and competent; and promote a culture where safety is integral to every task.
Roles and responsibilities
Management has ultimate responsibility for health and safety and will allocate adequate resources to apply this policy. Supervisors and team leaders must ensure safe systems of work are established and followed. Employees are required to work safely, use issued personal protective equipment (PPE) and report hazards or near misses promptly. Contractors engaged for specific jobs must comply with this policy and demonstrate relevant safety competence prior to starting work.Risk assessment and safe systems
All tasks are subject to a pre-job risk assessment. These assessments identify hazards such as uneven ground, overhead obstructions, use of powered equipment and the presence of chemicals. Wherever risks cannot be eliminated, control measures will be implemented, such as exclusion zones, traffic management for site access and appropriate signage. Safe systems of work will be documented for repetitive or higher-risk activities.Training, competence and supervision
We are committed to ensuring staff receive adequate training for their roles in Chessington garden maintenance operations. Training covers equipment operation, manual handling, working at heights, emergency procedures and safe pesticide handling where applicable. Records of qualifications and refresher training are maintained. New employees receive a site induction and are supervised until competency is demonstrated.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) and clothing must be used where required. Issued PPE includes eye protection, hearing protection, gloves, high-visibility clothing and suitable footwear. PPE is regularly inspected and replaced as necessary. Employees must report any damaged or lost items to their supervisor without delay.
Equipment safety and maintenance
Powered tools, mowers, chainsaws and other machinery used by our Chessington garden maintenance teams are maintained to manufacturer standards and inspected before use. Only trained and authorised personnel may operate powered equipment. A pre-use checklist is completed for high-risk items and defects are reported and removed from service until repaired. Safe storage and transportation procedures are in place to prevent unauthorised access and accidental start-up.Hazardous substances used in grounds maintenance, including pesticides, fuels and lubricants, are stored securely with appropriate COSHH-style controls and labels. Material Safety Data Sheets are available to staff and any handling is restricted to trained personnel. Spill kits are provided and staff are trained in spill response to reduce environmental and health impacts.
Manual handling and physical risks — Manual handling protocols are in place to reduce strain and musculoskeletal injuries. Mechanical aids such as wheelbarrows, trolleys and lifting devices are provided where appropriate. Employees are encouraged to seek assistance for heavy or awkward loads and to use correct posture and lifting techniques.
Public safety, access and traffic management
When carrying out garden services in public or private spaces, the safety of passersby is a priority. We deploy barriers, cones and clear signage to cordon work areas on pavements, driveways and communal spaces. Team members are trained in managing pedestrian flow and in communicating with site occupants to minimise disturbance and risk.Incident reporting and emergency procedures — All incidents, near misses and property damage are recorded and investigated to identify root causes and prevent recurrence. First aid provisions are available on-site and staff are trained in basic first aid and emergency response steps. Emergency contacts and escalation procedures are established for serious incidents, and lessons learned feed back into training and risk assessments.
Monitoring, review and continuous improvement — The effectiveness of this health and safety policy for Garden Maintenance Chessington is reviewed at least annually and after significant incidents or operational changes. Regular site inspections, toolbox talks and audits support continuous improvement. Non-compliance will be addressed promptly, with disciplinary measures where necessary, and successful safety initiatives are recognised to encourage ongoing adherence to best practice.