Health and Safety Policy for Gardening Services Seven Kings

This Health and Safety Policy sets out the commitment of Gardening Services Seven Kings (and associated teams) to provide safe, healthy working conditions for all staff, contractors and members of the public affected by our operations. The policy applies to every service we deliver, from routine garden maintenance to larger landscape projects, and explains the measures we use to reduce risk. Our approach combines proactive risk assessment, clear responsibilities for staff, and ongoing training to ensure consistent standards across the area we serve.

All personnel engaged in Seven Kings gardening services are expected to act according to the policy. Management will provide appropriate resources, including personal protective equipment, safe tools and maintenance of machinery, and scheduled supervision. The policy emphasises practical prevention: identifying common hazards such as manual handling, noise, moving plant, and use of chemicals; applying hierarchy of control measures; and ensuring workers know how to carry out tasks safely through training and access to written procedures.

Risk assessment is central. Before starting any job our operatives complete site-specific assessments to identify hazards unique to a property or public space. Typical risks considered include uneven ground, buried utilities, traffic interaction, overhead obstacles and weather impacts. Controls are selected to remove the hazard where possible, substitute with lower risk methods where appropriate, or else protect the workforce using engineering controls, administrative measures and suitable PPE. This garden safety approach helps protect clients, visitors and staff while maintaining quality service delivery.

Training and competence are essential. All employees and subcontractors working for our Seven Kings garden maintenance teams will receive induction training, task-specific instruction and periodic refresher courses. Training covers safe use of hand tools, power tools, ride-on equipment, ladder safety, pesticide awareness and safe lifting techniques. Supervisors must verify competence before permitting independent work and keep training records for audit and continuous improvement purposes.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided where risks cannot be fully controlled by other means. This includes gloves, eye and ear protection, hi-visibility clothing, suitable footwear and respiratory protection where necessary. PPE use is mandatory for identified tasks and failure to use provided PPE correctly will result in corrective action. Employees are encouraged to report damaged equipment and request replacements immediately.

Equipment and vehicle safety are covered by scheduled maintenance, documented checks and safe operating procedures. Our teams perform pre-start checks, secure attachments correctly, and follow manufacturer guidance for all machinery. When vehicles are used on public roads or parked near work sites, we apply appropriate traffic management measures and ensure vehicle loads are restrained. Contractors and temporary staff must adhere to the same standards when delivering services under the gardening services Seven Kings brand.

Working near the public and in communal spaces requires extra vigilance. We use clear signage, cordons and communication to minimise risk to passers-by and protect sensitive landscaping elements. Where work is adjacent to highways, pavements or communal access points, tasks are planned to reduce disruption and maintain public safety. Staff are trained in respectful public engagement and understand the need to keep work areas tidy and secure at all times.

Chemical safety and waste management are handled with care. Only approved products are used and stored securely in labelled containers. Operators using fertilizers, herbicides or pesticides hold relevant training and follow product instructions and safety data sheets. Waste arisings are segregated and removed responsibly; organic waste is composted where feasible and non-compostable material is disposed of in line with local waste handling protocols.

Incident reporting and continuous improvement are core to how our teams operate. All accidents, near misses and hazardous observations must be reported promptly so we can investigate causes, implement corrective actions and prevent recurrence. Records of incidents, risk assessments, maintenance logs and training are retained to demonstrate compliance and to support regular review of this policy. Management commits to reviewing the policy at planned intervals or when there are significant changes to equipment, personnel or working practices.