Health and Safety Policy — Gardener Forest Gate

Gardener Forest Gate is committed to maintaining a safe working environment for employees, contractors and clients. This Health and Safety statement sets out the approach and responsibilities for our gardening service delivery across our service area. The policy applies to all aspects of garden maintenance, soft landscaping, hedge trimming, turf care and ancillary site work. Safety-first decision making is central to our culture and operations.

Our objective is to reduce risk through proactive planning, competent supervision and continuous improvement. The policy is relevant to the forest gate gardener teams and all subcontractors operating under our direction. It is intended to be clear, practical and proportionate: practical controls, regular reviews and worker engagement guide our activities.

Scope and Responsibilities

The responsibility for health and safety is shared. Senior management provides leadership and resources, supervisors implement standards on site and each operative is expected to work safely and report hazards. The policy covers risk assessment, training, personal protective equipment (PPE), plant and tool safety, safe handling of chemicals and emergency response. Every line of work — whether routine lawn care or complex tree work — must be subject to an appropriate assessment of hazards.

Risk Assessment and Control Measures

Risk assessments are completed before work starts, documented and communicated to the team. Assessments consider terrain, overhead services, slopes, proximity to public areas and environmental sensitivities. Controls include:

• Use of exclusion zones and barriers where public access is present
• Selection and maintenance of suitable equipment
• Provision and mandatory use of PPE such as gloves, eye protection, hearing protection and high-visibility clothing
• Safe systems for working at height and for use of powered machinery

All work is planned to eliminate or reduce exposure to hazards. Where elimination is not practicable, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls and PPE are applied in that order. The garden maintenance teams and the forest gate gardening operatives are trained to follow safe operating procedures.

Training, Competence and Supervision

Employees receive role-specific training, induction and refresher courses. Training covers safe operation of mowers, strimmers, chainsaws (where authorised), manual handling, and safe use of pesticides and fertilisers. Supervisors are responsible for verifying competence on the job and for mentoring less experienced staff. Continuous development is part of our safety culture.

Documentation of training, certificates and licenses is kept up to date and reviewed during supervision visits. We encourage staff to raise concerns and suggest improvements, supporting a learning environment that strengthens garden safety across the service area.

Plant and tool safety protocols include pre-use checks, scheduled maintenance and secure storage. Fuel handling is controlled and spill kits are available on sites where hazardous substances are used. Only authorised personnel handle chemical products in accordance with manufacturer instructions and COSHH-style control measures.

Emergency procedures are established for first aid, fire, severe weather and other site incidents. First aid kits and trained first aiders are assigned to teams as appropriate. In the event of an emergency, workers must follow the site-specific emergency plan and report to the designated assembly point. Prompt action and clear communication are critical to reduce harm.

Incident reporting and near-miss recording support our goal of continual improvement. All incidents are reported, investigated and analysed to identify root causes and corrective actions. Records of incidents, inspections and safety audits are maintained to demonstrate compliance and to inform prevention strategies. Regular toolbox talks reinforce standards and keep safety front of mind.

Monitoring, Review and Policy Maintenance

The Health and Safety policy is monitored through routine inspections, performance metrics and periodic management reviews. We set measurable targets for incident reduction, training completion and equipment uptime. This policy is reviewed at least annually or sooner following significant change, incident, or new legislation. It is endorsed by management and communicated to all staff and contractors.

Implementation: Operational managers will ensure the policy is implemented across all sites. Employees and subcontractors are expected to follow procedures and contribute to a safe working environment. Non-compliance may lead to corrective action. The forest gate gardener teams are empowered to stop work if an uncontrolled risk cannot be remedied safely.

This policy supports our commitment to safeguarding the health of staff and the public while delivering high-quality gardening services. It balances practical site controls with an emphasis on competence, planning and communication. Safety is everyone’s responsibility.

Signed and adopted: The policy represents the company's approach to health and safety management and will be shared with employees, contractors and other relevant parties as appropriate. It forms part of our operational standards for garden services and landscaping projects, ensuring safe, reliable and professional delivery across the areas we serve.