Health & Safety Policy for Lawn Mowing Hatch End

Gardening team preparing for lawn mowing with protective gear Purpose — This policy sets out the approach of our lawn mowing Hatch End and surrounding service area teams to protect employees, clients and the public. Safety is central to every job: from routine grass cutting and edging to more involved turf maintenance. Our goal is to manage risks effectively, maintain compliance with common horticultural safety expectations, and promote a culture where hazard awareness and safe working methods are the norm.

Scope and responsibilities

The policy applies to all staff, contractors and sub‑contractors engaged in lawn care and grass cutting Hatch End projects. Managers are responsible for ensuring training, supervision and resources. Operatives must follow safe systems of work, wear protective equipment and report incidents. We emphasise shared accountability: every team member is expected to act with vigilance and to stop work if a situation becomes unsafe, notifying their supervisor immediately.

Operator inspecting lawn mowing equipment prior to use

Risk assessment and job planning

Each task is preceded by a documented risk assessment tailored to the site and service, whether it is domestic lawn cutting, commercial turf maintenance or seasonal treatment. Key hazards include moving machinery, manual handling, noise, fuel and chemical handling, slips/trips and contact with hidden obstacles. Control measures are identified and implemented, and where appropriate, safe exclusion zones and pedestrian management systems are established.

Safety briefing and risk assessment at a garden site Equipment and vehicle safety — All mowers, trimmers, blowers and ride‑on machines are maintained to manufacturer specifications and subject to routine inspections. Faulty equipment is removed from service until repaired. Vehicles carrying machinery are loaded and secured correctly and drivers adhere to safe loading/unloading procedures. Battery and electrically powered tools are inspected for cord damage and correct guarding, and petrol equipment is refuelled only in ventilated areas with appropriate spill prevention.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided and its use enforced: hearing protection, eye protection, high‑visibility clothing, steel‑toe boots and gloves. Staff are trained in correct PPE selection and care. We emphasise the correct use of guards, lanyards and kill switches on powered equipment, and require lock‑off/tag‑out when performing maintenance.

Health considerations — We monitor occupational health risks such as vibration, repetitive strain, exposure to agrochemicals and prolonged sun exposure. Shift patterns and breaks are designed to minimise fatigue. Where pesticide or herbicide application is required, licensed operatives apply products in line with safety sheets, product labels and environmental precautions to protect non‑target plants, pets and waterways.

Training, competence and supervision

Training is provided for all roles and refreshed at regular intervals. Induction covers safe use of lawn care equipment, manual handling, first aid basics and emergency procedures. Operatives who use specialised machinery hold relevant competence certificates. Supervisors conduct toolbox talks and on‑site briefings to ensure methods are understood and applied. Record keeping of training, qualifications and licences is maintained for audit and management review.

Incident reporting and investigation — Any accident, near miss or unsafe condition must be reported promptly. We investigate incidents to identify root causes and to revise control measures. Lessons learned are communicated across teams. First aid kits are available on every vehicle and at transit depots; trained first‑aiders are assigned to each crew. Emergency response arrangements are rehearsed periodically.

Public protection measures and signage during grass cutting

Site management and public protection

We protect members of the public, clients and site users through clear signage, barriers and safe exit routes when working on accessible properties or communal green spaces. Where appropriate, we liaise with property managers and tenants to coordinate timing and access. Consideration is given to vulnerable users, pets and wildlife habitats to minimise disturbance and risk.

Operative using PPE while performing lawn maintenance

Monitoring, review and continual improvement

This health and safety policy is reviewed regularly to reflect operational experience and emerging best practice in grounds maintenance and garden landscaping Hatch End services. Performance is monitored through site inspections, audits and feedback from operatives. Corrective actions are implemented promptly and effectiveness checked. We commit to continual improvement and to aligning our procedures with recognised health and safety principles.

Key controls summary:

Pre‑job risk assessments and site planning
Regular equipment inspection and maintenance
Mandatory PPE and competent operatives
Safe loading, transport and storage of machinery and fuel
Incident reporting, investigation and corrective action

By following this policy, our lawn maintenance Hatch End teams aim to deliver high quality, safe and reliable lawn cutting and garden care services across our service area. Safety never takes a back seat—it is integral to good workmanship and to protecting people and property while we serve private and communal outdoor spaces. The policy is endorsed by management and forms part of employment terms for operative teams.