Gardening Dalston team setting up safety zone in a garden

Health & Safety Policy — Gardening Dalston

Purpose: This policy sets out the commitment of Gardening Dalston and our associated gardening teams to maintain a safe working environment for staff, clients and the public. Our aim is to deliver high-quality garden maintenance and landscaping while managing risks so that everyone involved in our services can work and move about safely. We recognise the importance of preventing injury, minimizing exposure to hazards and complying with best practice across the service area.

Team conducting site risk assessment for landscaping

Scope and Principles

This policy applies to all employees, contractors and operatives engaged by the gardening company in Dalston and surrounding neighbourhoods for landscaping, routine maintenance, planting, pruning and grounds care. It embraces the following principles: prevention of harm through planning, continuous improvement of safe working methods and active involvement of supervisors and operatives in safety decisions. We endorse a positive safety culture and expect every team member to take responsibility for safe behaviour.

Responsibilities and Competence

Management is responsible for ensuring suitable risk assessments and safe systems of work are in place for each project, including seasonal tasks and specialist operations. Supervisors will ensure operatives are competent for assigned tasks, that training is provided, and that protective measures are enforced. Each worker must follow procedures, report hazards promptly and use equipment correctly. We support competence with ongoing training, toolbox talks and recorded inductions so that Dalston gardening services are carried out by informed, confident teams.

Gardener using safe equipment with protective gear

Risk Assessment and Safe Working Systems

Risk assessments will be carried out before work begins and reviewed when conditions change. Identified controls will be proportionate and documented. Typical hazards addressed include manual handling, working at height, use of powered tools, vehicular movements, trip hazards and weather-related risks. Safe systems include pre-start checks, permit-to-work where necessary, isolation of power, and clear exclusion zones during hazardous operations.

Equipment, Vehicles and Personal Protective Equipment

All tools and machinery will be maintained and inspected in line with manufacturer guidance. Vehicles used by the gardening team will be serviced and driven only by authorised personnel who hold valid licences and understand vehicle safety protocols. Operatives are required to wear appropriate PPE for tasks — including eye protection, gloves, hearing protection, hi-vis clothing and suitable footwear. We emphasise correct selection and fitting of PPE as a last layer of defence after engineering and administrative controls.

Chemicals, Waste and Environmental Protection

Use of any chemicals, herbicides or fertilisers will follow product instructions and safety data sheets. Application will be restricted to trained staff using approved methods and equipment, with clear measures to prevent runoff or contamination. Waste generated from site activity will be segregated, stored safely and disposed of responsibly. Gardening Dalston is committed to reducing environmental impact through careful material selection and sustainable practices.

Emergency Procedures and First Aid

We maintain site-specific emergency plans including first aid arrangements, emergency contact protocols and clear instructions for evacuation. First aid kits are available on site and selected staff hold valid first aid certificates. All incidents, near misses and unsafe conditions must be reported immediately so that corrective action can be taken and lessons learned are shared across the team.

Barriers and signage securing work area in a public space

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

Gardening Dalston will monitor compliance through routine site inspections, audits and performance checks. Safety performance indicators such as incident rates, completed risk assessments and training records will be reviewed at management meetings. We will update this policy periodically to reflect operational changes, technological advances and evolving good practice. Audits and corrective action plans drive improvement and help embed a proactive safety culture.

First aid kit and incident reporting forms on-site

Implementation and Employee Involvement

The effectiveness of this safety policy relies on engagement at all levels. We encourage staff to raise concerns, offer suggestions and participate in safety briefings. Managers will provide the resources necessary to implement controls and ensure that Dalston garden maintenance work is completed safely and efficiently. This policy is endorsed by company management and will be communicated to all new and existing personnel involved in landscaping and gardening operations.

Key actions for every worker:

Follow risk assessments and safe systems of work.
Use and maintain issued PPE and equipment.
Report hazards, incidents and near misses without delay.
Attend required training and complete site inductions.

Signed on behalf of Gardening Dalston management — policy to be reviewed annually or sooner where required by operational change.