Health & Safety Policy for Gardening Mortlake

Purpose: This Health and Safety policy sets out the commitments and operating standards for Gardening Mortlake and affiliated teams delivering garden maintenance and landscaping work in the service area. It is written to ensure a consistent approach to reducing risk, protecting staff, clients and the public, and promoting safe working methods across every Mortlake gardening and garden services project. The policy applies to all employees, contractors and sub-contractors engaged in garden care, planting, hedge work, lawn maintenance and small-scale landscaping.

Our core objectives are clear and measurable: to prevent injury, to manage hazards proactively, and to maintain a safe environment during all Mortlake gardening operations. These objectives are supported by practical controls and expectations for training, supervision and equipment. Everyone operating under the Mortlake garden services banner is expected to follow procedures without exception.

Scope: This policy covers routine garden maintenance, tree and shrub pruning, chemical use for weed control, operation of machinery (mowers, strimmers, leaf blowers), site setup and clean-up, manual handling, traffic and pedestrian management when working on properties and near public footpaths. It also addresses seasonal hazards and site-specific risks commonly encountered by garden maintenance Mortlake teams.

Management has overall responsibility for implementing this health and safety statement. Managers will ensure that risk assessments are carried out, that appropriate equipment is provided and maintained, and that staff receive relevant training and supervision. Field supervisors are responsible for monitoring daily compliance with safe systems of work and for reporting incidents or near misses so that lessons are learned and controls improved.

The workforce must follow all safe working procedures, wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) and report hazards promptly. Employees engaged in Mortlake gardening work are encouraged to take an active role in safety by participating in toolbox talks, completing safety checklists and engaging in on-the-job risk spotting.

Key safe practices include, but are not limited to:

• Carrying out and recording site-specific risk assessments before each job.
• Using correct PPE: gloves, eye protection, hearing protection and appropriate footwear.
• Maintaining machinery and conducting pre-use checks for defects or leaks.
• Implementing exclusion zones when using powered equipment or when pruning above head height.
• Safe storage, handling and application of pesticides and fertilizers following product instructions.

All staff working for Gardening Mortlake will receive induction training and job-specific training relevant to their role. Training records are maintained and refresher training is provided periodically. Risk assessments are dynamic documents: they are reviewed whenever there is a change to work methods, new equipment is introduced or following any incident. Mortlake gardening teams operate under a hierarchy of controls that prioritises elimination and substitution of hazards, engineering controls, administrative controls and PPE.

Equipment supplied by the company is suitable for the task, subject to routine maintenance and inspections. Where hand tools are used, correct ergonomic techniques and manual handling guidance are enforced to reduce musculoskeletal injuries. Fuel, sharp tools, chainsaws and chemical containers are transported and stored securely and in compliance with safety recommendations.

Emergency procedures and first aid are provided at every site. Staff are trained to respond to common garden-related incidents such as cuts, falls, allergic reactions and heat stress. A clear protocol for summoning emergency services and securing the scene is in place. Incident reporting is compulsory and used to drive improvements across Mortlake garden maintenance operations.

Monitoring and continuous improvement: The policy is reviewed annually or sooner if circumstances demand. Audits and spot checks are carried out to confirm compliance with safety standards and to identify improvement opportunities. Staff input is actively sought when reviewing procedures so that best practice is shared among all Mortlake garden services teams.

Contractors and visitors must comply with this policy while on site. Prior to work commencing, contractors are required to provide evidence of competence and insurance, and to confirm that they will adhere to the agreed safety controls. Where client sites impose additional constraints, the team will align procedures to meet those requirements while maintaining the baseline company standards.

Conclusion: Gardening Mortlake is committed to delivering safe and professional gardening services. By embedding health and safety into everyday work, from planning through to completion, we minimise risk, protect people and preserve the quality of service. This policy is the foundation for a strong safety culture across all gardening and landscaping activities within the Mortlake area and nearby service locations.