Health and Safety Policy — Garden Maintenance Leyton
Garden Maintenance Leyton is committed to providing safe, reliable garden services across its local service area. This policy outlines our approach to managing health and safety for all aspects of garden upkeep, including routine lawn care, hedge trimming, planting, pruning, and seasonal clearance. The objective is to reduce risk, protect staff, clients and the public, and ensure that all work is carried out with due care and professionalism.Our policy applies to everyone involved in garden maintenance in Leyton operations: employees, contractors, and temporary staff. It also covers interactions with customers and the public while work is undertaken on private and communal outdoor spaces. We prioritise hazard identification, training, correct use of equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE), and transparent incident reporting.
Scope and Principles
The scope covers general gardening activities, use of powered tools and machinery, safe manual handling, chemical use for plant care, and waste disposal. Our guiding principles are prevention, proportionality, and continuous improvement. Leyton garden maintenance routines are planned to minimise disruption and to maintain safe working distances from roads, footpaths and neighbours' property.Responsibilities
Management holds overall responsibility for implementing this health and safety policy. Managers and supervisors must ensure risk assessments are current and that staff follow safe systems of work. Employees are expected to work safely, report hazards, and participate in training. Contractors engaged for specialised tasks must demonstrate competence and comply with our standards.Risk Assessment and Safe Systems
Before starting any task, a site-specific risk assessment is carried out to identify hazards such as uneven terrain, underground services, overhead cables, or hazardous plants. Control measures are documented and communicated, and tasks are only started when adequate measures are in place. Routine checks and pre-start inspections of machinery are mandatory for all gardening services in Leyton.
Training and Competence
Staff receive formal training on tool operation, first aid awareness, safe use of pesticides and fertilisers, and manual handling techniques. Training is refreshed periodically and when new equipment or procedures are introduced. Records of qualifications and toolbox talks are maintained for audit and review.Personal protective equipment is supplied where necessary and includes gloves, eye protection, hearing protection, hi-vis clothing and sturdy footwear. PPE is used as part of a hierarchy of control measures and not as the sole control. The company enforces PPE use and replaces damaged items promptly to support safe garden upkeep Leyton-wide.
Equipment maintenance is central to safe operations. All powered tools are subject to regular servicing, PAT testing where applicable, and daily pre-use checks. Faulty equipment is taken out of service and reported. Safe storage and secure transport of tools between sites prevents injuries and theft.
Safe handling and storage of chemicals are governed by COSHH-style precautions: correct labelling, secure storage, use of manufacturer instructions and avoidance of unnecessary use. Only trained staff handle concentrated products; dilute mixes are prepared in well-ventilated areas and waste is disposed of responsibly.
Traffic management and working near roads are carefully planned. Where work is adjacent to vehicular routes, risk controls such as signage, cones, and where necessary, temporary barriers are used. Staff are briefed on maintaining visibility and ensuring safe egress from sites to reduce public risk during garden upkeep in Leyton.
Incident Reporting and Investigation All accidents, near-misses and unsafe conditions are reported immediately to supervisors and recorded. Investigations focus on root causes and practical corrective actions. Lessons learned are shared across the team to prevent recurrence and to strengthen our safety culture.
Monitoring and Review The policy is monitored through site visits, audits and performance indicators such as incident rates and training completion. Management reviews the policy at least annually and following significant incidents or changes in work practices. Continuous improvement remains a core commitment for ongoing Leyton garden maintenance services.
Emergency Preparedness and First Aid
First aid arrangements are in place for all worksites with trained personnel and appropriate supplies. Emergency procedures, including contacting emergency services and providing site access, are rehearsed and available in job briefings. Staff are instructed to prioritise human safety over property in all emergency responses.This health and safety policy is supported by specific procedures, risk assessments and method statements for individual tasks. Garden maintenance Leyton teams are expected to familiarise themselves with these documents and apply them daily. Managers ensure documentation is accessible and up to date.