Health & Safety Policy for Lawn Mowing Gipsy Hill Services

This Health and Safety Policy sets out the commitment of our gardening and lawn care team to provide safe, reliable and legally compliant lawn maintenance across the Gipsy Hill service area. Our approach to lawn mowing in Gipsy Hill combines practical on-site controls, training and ongoing risk assessment to protect employees, clients, contractors and members of the public. The policy applies to all activities associated with grass cutting, edging, turf management and related horticultural tasks.

We recognise the importance of hazard identification and risk control for all tasks carried out by our operatives. The goal of our Lawn Mowing Gipsy Hill safety framework is to prevent injury, illness and property damage through proactive planning, safe systems of work and personal responsibility. All workers are expected to follow procedures, report concerns and engage with safety briefings at each job site.

This policy complements site-specific risk assessments and method statements prepared for each lawn maintenance visit. When carrying out Gipsy Hill lawn maintenance we consider key risks including, but not limited to: moving machinery, manual handling, slips/trips/falls, noise and vibration, use of chemicals, public interface and working near boundaries or overhead obstacles. Control measures are applied using a hierarchy of elimination, substitution, engineering, administrative controls and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Our operational standards require that all powered equipment is maintained to the manufacturer's recommendations and checked before use. This includes daily visual inspections, service logs and fault reporting systems. Operators must be competent and trained for the specific machine they use, including pedestrian mowers, ride-on equipment, strimmers and hedge trimmers. Training records and certifications are kept centrally and subject to regular review.

Safe Work Procedures and PPE

We enforce clear safe work procedures for mowing and associated tasks. Key elements include:

• Pre-start checks and site-specific briefings before any job.
• Use of appropriate PPE such as eye protection, hearing protection, sturdy footwear and gloves.
• Establishing exclusion zones to protect the public and pets during operation.
• Switching off equipment and removing keys before maintenance, clearing debris, or refuelling.

Emergency Response and Reporting

All staff are trained to respond to incidents promptly and to report injuries, near-misses and dangerous occurrences. Emergency arrangements include first aid provision, communication plans and access to emergency services where required. Records of incidents and corrective actions are maintained to ensure continual improvement.

Manual handling guidance, including safe lifting and team-handling techniques, is provided to reduce musculoskeletal risk. Our teams are encouraged to take regular breaks, hydrate and use correct posture when performing repetitive tasks. Where mechanical aids are available they must be used to reduce manual strain.

Environmental and chemical safety forms part of the policy: pesticides, fertilisers and other hazardous substances are stored, handled and applied only by trained personnel following product safety data sheets and manufacturer guidance. We use the minimum effective quantity, consider non-chemical alternatives and follow all label instructions to protect clients, wildlife and waterways.

Supervision and competence checks ensure that newer staff receive mentoring and that competence is reassessed after changes to equipment or procedures. Regular toolbox talks, seasonal briefings and updates on best practice help maintain awareness of evolving risks. Contractors working alongside our crews must demonstrate equivalent health and safety standards and provide evidence of their competence.

We maintain insurance, permit-to-work controls where necessary and a structured programme of maintenance for all plant and tools. Records of equipment service, inspection tags and pre-shift checklists are retained and reviewed to ensure compliance with our Gipsy Hill lawn care commitments. This administrative discipline supports reliable, auditable safety performance.

Policy Review and Continuous Improvement
This Health & Safety Policy is reviewed regularly and updated when there are significant changes to operations, new legislation, or following incidents. Employee feedback, audit findings and industry developments inform revisions. Our objective is to continuously raise standards for lawn maintenance services in Gipsy Hill and the wider service area, reducing risk through thoughtful planning and effective controls.

All staff and sub-contractors are required to read this policy and confirm understanding. Managers are responsible for enforcement and for providing the resources necessary to implement the policy effectively. A copy of the policy is available to clients and stakeholders on request as part of our commitment to transparency and accountability for safe lawn care operations.

The safety of people and property is central to our business values. By combining systematic risk management, competent staff, maintained equipment and clear communication, our Lawn Mowing Gipsy Hill services deliver quality turf care with safety at the forefront. Regular monitoring and practical improvements help ensure that every job is completed safely and professionally.

Signed on behalf of the management team.
Date: as per company records