Health & Safety Policy — Gardening Finsbury Park

This Health and Safety policy explains the standard operating approach adopted by our gardening team working across the service area. Gardening Finsbury Park and associated garden maintenance services are provided under a clear commitment to preventing harm, protecting staff, clients and the public, and ensuring work is carried out consistently, safely and professionally. This policy sets out responsibilities, safe systems of work, training requirements and risk control measures applicable to all on-site activities conducted by our horticultural and landscaping crews.

Our company treats safety as integral to every task from routine garden clearance to complex soft landscaping. All operatives must follow the policy and associated procedures. Finsbury Park gardening services are delivered with a focus on risk assessment, correct equipment use and the maintenance of safe working environments. We emphasise communication between site supervisors and teams, and we maintain records of briefings and safety checks to ensure accountability and continuous improvement.

The purpose of this document is to provide a clear reference for staff and contractors on how hazards are identified, assessed and controlled. It complements method statements and job-specific safety plans used on individual assignments. Garden maintenance Finsbury Park operations include manual handling, use of powered tools, working at heights, chemical use for plant care and interaction with members of the public — each activity is covered by control measures described here.

Responsibilities are allocated to ensure that safety is managed at every level: senior management provide leadership, managers and supervisors implement procedures and employees follow safe systems of work. Landscaping in Finsbury Park projects will have appointed persons to coordinate risk assessments and to confirm that appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is available and used. Contractors engaged to supplement the workforce must comply with this policy and show evidence of competence before commencing work.

Risk assessment is the primary tool we use to prevent accidents. Before starting any job, a site-specific assessment is carried out to identify hazards such as uneven ground, overhead services, poisonous plants, traffic or public access. Controls are introduced using the hierarchy of control: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls and PPE. All assessments are recorded and revisited when conditions change.

Training and competence form a core element of our approach. All staff receive induction training, job-specific instruction and refresher sessions on safe use of machinery, manual handling techniques, and emergency procedures. Supervisors are trained in supervision, communication and incident reporting. Our gardening teams are required to demonstrate skills before using chainsaws, hedge trimmers, rotovators or other high-risk equipment.

We maintain strict standards for plant protection products and chemicals. COSHH-style assessments are used to evaluate any chemical used during planting, weed control or pest management. Only authorised and trained operatives may store, transport or apply treatments, and appropriate PPE and spill-containment measures are enforced. Waste and chemical containers are disposed of per environmental and safety protocols to reduce risk to staff and the wider community.

Emergency preparedness and first aid are addressed proactively. First aid kits are available on vehicles and at sites, and several staff members are trained first-aiders. Emergency procedures include actions for injury, exposure, fire, major equipment failure and adverse weather. Communication systems ensure that help can be summoned quickly and that incidents are recorded and investigated so lessons can be learned and applied.

This policy is supported by specific procedures and controls, including:

• Pre-work checks on machines, tools and PPE to ensure safe condition before each shift.
• Traffic and public safety measures such as signage, barriers and supervised working near footpaths to protect passersby.
• Safe manual handling protocols including team lifts and mechanical aids to reduce musculoskeletal injuries.
• Permit-to-work and isolation procedures when needing to work near electrical supplies or in confined spaces.
• Incident reporting and investigation to track near-misses and accidents and to implement corrective actions.

Monitoring and review ensure the policy remains effective. Regular site inspections, toolbox talks and audits are used to measure performance against safety objectives. Where non-conformances are discovered, immediate action is taken to rectify issues and prevent recurrence. Performance indicators such as days lost to injury, incident frequency and completion of statutory checks are reviewed by management to drive improvement.

Contractor and supplier management is part of our control regime. Subcontractors providing specialist services are evaluated on safety performance and required to share method statements and risk assessments prior to starting. Professional gardening services supplied on behalf of clients must adhere to our standards and co-operate fully with on-site supervision to maintain a safe working environment.

All staff are encouraged to contribute to a positive safety culture by reporting hazards, participating in training, and suggesting improvements. This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if there are significant changes to operations, equipment, or legislation. By embedding these principles, our gardening operations across the service area combine quality horticulture with a steadfast commitment to health, safety and wellbeing.