Health and Safety Policy — Lawn Mowing Hackbridge

This policy sets out the commitment of our lawn care business to deliver safe, reliable and professional lawn mowing Hackbridge and related garden maintenance services across our service area. It outlines the principles we follow to protect staff, clients, visitors and the public while carrying out lawn and landscape operations. The objective is to manage foreseeable risks associated with mowing, edging, hedge cutting and basic soft landscaping while maintaining high standards of workmanship and environmental care.

Purpose and Scope

The policy applies to all employees, contractors and subcontractors engaged in Hackbridge lawn mowing, turf maintenance, and ancillary gardening tasks. It covers site preparation, operational practices, equipment use, personal protective equipment (PPE), storage and transport of tools, and waste handling. Managers must ensure that this policy is implemented consistently across jobs in the local area and that workers are informed, trained and supervised appropriately.

Employees and supervisors share responsibility for safe performance. Key responsibilities include conducting pre-work checks, completing basic risk assessments, and following safe systems of work. Controls include:

• Pre-start equipment checks for blades, guards and guards
• PPE such as gloves, eye protection, ear protection and high-visibility clothing
• Clear exclusion zones to protect bystanders

These measures are central to reducing incidents and maintaining a professional standard of lawn and garden service.

Risk Assessment and Training

All sites will receive a simple, documented risk assessment before work begins. This assessment considers ground conditions, slopes, hidden hazards, overhead features and the proximity of people or animals. Training is provided for machine operation, safe refuelling, handling of accessories and emergency stop procedures. Regular toolbox talks reinforce competence, and newly appointed staff receive supervised induction. Ongoing development ensures that operatives remain aware of current safe practices in mowing and general gardening tasks.

Equipment maintenance is a priority. Machines used for local lawn maintenance must be inspected daily, serviced regularly and have blade guards in place. Batteries and fuel are stored safely and transported in accordance with manufacturer recommendations. The company enforces strict maintenance schedules to prevent mechanical failures that could cause injury or property damage. Staff are instructed to remove debris and secure loose objects before starting mowing to reduce the risk of thrown objects.

Working near roads, pavements and driveways requires additional controls. When operating in public or residential areas we use visible signage, cones and, where needed, temporary pedestrian management. Chemical use for weed control is minimised; only approved products are used and applied by trained staff following label guidance to protect people, pets and local wildlife. Waste grass and clippings are collected and disposed of responsibly.

Emergency Procedures and First Aid

All teams carry a basic first aid kit and are instructed in immediate response techniques for common gardening injuries. Emergency procedures are in place for major incidents, including contact for emergency services where required. A nominated on-site person will manage the scene and provide support until further help arrives. Incident response also includes preserving evidence, recording times and actions and ensuring injured persons receive appropriate care.

Reporting and continuous improvement are integral to our safety culture. All accidents, near misses and unsafe conditions must be reported promptly so that root causes are identified and corrective actions implemented. Regular audits and periodic reviews of work practices help refine procedures, with findings communicated to crews.

• Routine safety inspections
• Post-job debriefs
• Performance monitoring and refresher training

These steps build resilience into our operations and support consistent delivery of quality garden care.

Commitment and review: This policy is owned by senior management and is reviewed at least annually or after any significant incident. We commit to providing adequate resources for safety, including training, maintenance and appropriate PPE, and to promoting a workplace culture where every person feels empowered to stop unsafe work. By embedding these principles in our approach to lawn care in Hackbridge and surrounding neighbourhoods, we aim to protect people and property while delivering reliable, professional gardening and lawn-mowing services.