Health & Safety Policy — Lawn Mowing Hampstead and Local Gardening Services

This policy sets out the commitments of our gardening and lawn care company to provide safe, reliable lawn mowing in Hampstead and neighbouring service areas. Our aim is to protect employees, clients, contractors and the public by maintaining clear safety standards, safe systems of work and regular training. The policy applies to all activities associated with turf management, lawn maintenance and associated groundskeeping tasks.

Policy Statement

We are committed to preventing injury and ill health through a proactive approach to risk control and continuous improvement. Employees working on Hampstead lawn mowing services must follow instructions, wear required personal protective equipment and use equipment only when trained and authorised. We will ensure that machinery, tools and vehicles are maintained and inspected, and that environmental risks such as noise, fuel handling and pesticide application are controlled.

Scope and Key Principles

This document covers routine and scheduled lawn care in Hampstead, one-off visits, contract maintenance and seasonal operations. Key principles include:

• Risk assessment before starting work;
• Safe systems of work for each task;
• Competence through training, supervision and certifications;
• Reporting and investigation of near-misses and incidents;
• Environmentally responsible practices to protect soil, water and biodiversity.

All staff must be familiar with this policy and the specific safe working procedures relevant to their role.

Responsibilities

Management will ensure adequate resources for health and safety, maintain records of training, inspections and maintenance, and review this policy at planned intervals. Supervisors will implement risk assessments and ensure staff follow the documented safe work methods. Employees are required to cooperate with safety processes, report hazards and use equipment correctly and responsibly.

Risk Assessment and Planning

Before any mowing or landscaping task, a site-specific risk assessment will be completed. Assessments will consider ground conditions, slopes, underground services, public access, young children and pets, nearby traffic, weather conditions and the presence of hazardous plants or substances. Where risks cannot be eliminated, control measures such as exclusion zones, signage and additional personnel will be used.

Training, Competence and PPE

Employees receive induction training and periodic refreshers covering machine operation, lone working, manual handling, chemical safety and emergency procedures. Required personal protective equipment (PPE) includes eye and ear protection, gloves, high visibility clothing and appropriate boots. Only authorised personnel shall operate petrol-powered mowers, hedge cutters, strimmers and other powered implements.

Equipment, Maintenance and Safe Operation

All tools and machinery used for lawn mowing around Hampstead must be inspected before use. Faults are recorded and removed from service until repaired. Refuelling is conducted in designated areas with spill kits available and fire precautions in place. Battery-powered equipment is charged using manufacturer-recommended procedures to avoid thermal risks.

Safe Work Procedures and Environmental Controls

Safe systems of work include starting equipment away from the public, using mechanical guards and devices, and avoiding operations in extreme weather. When herbicides or pesticides are required for turf health, products are selected for minimal environmental impact and applied by trained staff following label instructions and local regulations. Fuel, oils and waste materials are stored and disposed of responsibly to prevent contamination.

Emergency Response, Reporting and Record Keeping

We maintain first aid provisions on-site and ensure at least one trained first aider is available for scheduled operations. Emergency procedures cover medical incidents, fire, spillage and neighbour safety. All incidents and near-misses are reported promptly, investigated and recorded to support corrective actions. Training records, risk assessments and maintenance logs are retained and reviewed regularly to demonstrate compliance and promote continual improvement.

Engagement, Monitoring and Review

We engage staff in safety consultations and encourage suggestions for safer working practices. Regular audits and toolbox talks ensure standards are maintained across our service area. Performance indicators include the number of incidents, completion of planned inspections and timeliness of equipment maintenance. The policy is reviewed at least annually or after a significant event to ensure it remains effective for both routine lawn maintenance Hampstead visits and special projects.

Client and Site Cooperation

Clients and site occupiers have responsibilities to provide accurate information about hazards, to secure pets and children during operations and to follow any reasonable instructions from our staff to maintain safety. Risk-based access arrangements will be agreed before commencing contracted works. We request cooperation to enable safe, efficient delivery of landscaping, mowing and turf maintenance tasks.

Conclusion This Health & Safety Policy reflects our commitment to safe, reliable and environmentally responsible gardening and lawn mowing services in Hampstead and neighbouring areas. Regular training, documented procedures, and active risk management ensure protection of people and property while delivering high standards of lawn care. The policy is supported by managers and employees alike and will be updated to reflect changes in operations or regulation.