Health and Safety Policy — Gardener Hoxton

Gardener Hoxton operates with a clear commitment to the health, safety and welfare of everyone affected by our gardening and grounds maintenance services. This policy sets out the responsibilities and arrangements we implement across our service area to mitigate risk and maintain safe working conditions. It applies to all employees, contractors and subcontractors engaged in garden maintenance, landscaping, hedge cutting, tree care and associated outdoor works.

Our Hoxton gardener teams undertake task planning and risk assessment prior to starting work. Every job has a documented assessment of hazards, controls and emergency procedures. We emphasise ongoing training, correct equipment use and the need for appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for all operatives. All staff are expected to follow safe working practices at all times.

To create a consistent standard, the gardening services in Hoxton provided by our teams are governed by routine inspections, competency checks and maintenance schedules for tools and machinery. We maintain records of planned maintenance for mowers, chainsaws, strimmers and powered equipment and ensure all relevant safety guards and safety devices are in place.

Health monitoring and first aid are integral parts of our approach. Each site has an appointed first-aider for the duration of works and a documented procedure to follow in the event of injury or ill health. We also maintain clear reporting pathways for near misses and accidents to support continuous improvement of our safety culture.

We adopt a hierarchy of controls to reduce risks: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls and PPE. Where possible we remove hazards entirely from the worksite; when that is not feasible we use safer equipment or implement controls such as exclusion zones, signage and traffic management for vehicles and pedestrian areas.

Responsibilities

The management team is responsible for policy implementation, resource allocation and performance review. Supervisors and team leaders ensure daily checks are completed and that staff understand task-specific risks. Employees are responsible for complying with instructions, reporting hazards and using equipment correctly. Contractors must provide evidence of competence and insurance before commencing work with our Hoxton gardening company.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems

Prior to work commencing we prepare a documented safe system of work addressing the significant risks of each task. Key elements include:

• Site-specific risk assessments and method statements;
• Toolbox talks and briefings before tasks start;
• Permit-to-work arrangements for higher-risk activities such as tree work near buildings or utilities;
• Isolation and lock-off procedures for mechanical equipment.

We maintain a training programme tailored to garden and grounds trades. Training includes manual handling, use of power tools, pesticide awareness, safe ladder use and awareness of biological hazards such as ticks and hazardous plant species. Records of training and competence assessments are kept and reviewed regularly to ensure standards are current.

Equipment and vehicles are checked before use and on a scheduled basis. Written inspection checklists are completed each day, and defective items are removed from service until repaired. Fuel and chemical storage follows secure, labelled containment measures and spill kits are available on site.

Environmental and public safety are considered in every operation. Where work affects public spaces we implement controls to protect passersby and property, including fences, cones and clear signage. Noise, dust and debris are managed to reduce nuisance and hazard to adjacent properties.

Emergency preparedness includes site-specific plans and accessible communication routes in the event of serious incidents. We review emergency responses after any incident to learn lessons and update procedures. Insurance and liability arrangements are maintained to cover the provision of professional horticultural and landscape services.

We conduct regular audits of health and safety performance, including internal inspections and management reviews. Findings lead to corrective actions, updated training or procedural changes. Continuous improvement is a core element of the policy: we monitor compliance, set measurable objectives and report on progress.

Policy review: This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed at regular intervals and updated following significant changes to operations, legislation or after a serious incident. All personnel associated with our garden maintenance and landscaping services must read, understand and adhere to this policy. By maintaining high standards and shared responsibility we aim to deliver safe, reliable gardening services that protect people, property and the environment.