Health and Safety Policy for Gardening Barbican

Purpose and scope: This Health and Safety Policy sets out the standards and procedures that govern safe working for Gardening Barbican and for those who use or pass by our sites. The policy applies across our service area and to all Barbican gardening services personnel, contractors and temporary staff while they carry out garden maintenance, landscaping, hedge cutting, tree care and groundskeeping tasks. It is written to be practical and adaptable for different gardens and green spaces served by our gardening company.

Commitment: Gardening Barbican is committed to preventing harm, reducing risk and promoting a safe culture. We will ensure that risk assessments are completed for regular activities and for any unusual operations, that staff receive appropriate training and that everyone understands their responsibilities. Our aim is to make Barbican garden maintenance and related landscaping work as safe as reasonably practicable.

Responsibilities and leadership: Senior managers provide leadership and allocate resources to implement this policy. Supervisors are responsible for daily safety checks, ensuring PPE is used and that tools and machinery are maintained. All employees and subcontractors must follow safe working procedures, report hazards promptly and participate in training. This shared responsibility underpins effective Barbican gardening services and on-site safety.

Risk assessment, planning and control measures

Gardening Barbican will carry out documented risk assessments before work begins. Assessments identify hazards such as powered tools, manual handling, working at height, chemical use, traffic and public access. Controls include:

• Elimination or substitution of hazardous methods where possible.
• Engineering controls such as guards, secure platforms and fencing for public protection.
• Administrative controls including task planning, permitted working times and safe systems of work.
• PPE appropriate to the task — gloves, eye protection, hi-vis clothing and hearing protection.

Work planning for gardens: Before any job, the operative must check site access, overhead power lines, underground services and the proximity of pedestrians. For larger projects like landscaping Barbican projects or tree surgery, we require method statements, appointed supervisors and traffic management where needed to protect the public and workers alike.

Training, competence and equipment

Gardening Barbican ensures that all staff are trained and competent for the tasks they perform. Training covers safe use of hand tools, chainsaws and mowers, safe lifting techniques and chemical handling where applicable. Refresher training is scheduled regularly and records are maintained to show competence and certification for specialist equipment.

Equipment safety and maintenance: Equipment is inspected before use and any defective items are taken out of service. We maintain a schedule of checks for petrol-driven machines, electrical testing for power tools and servicing for hydraulic equipment. Batteries and fuel are stored safely and spill kits are available. Proper maintenance reduces the risk of accidents during standard garden maintenance and emergency work.

Incident reporting, first aid and emergency procedures: All incidents, near misses and hazardous observations are reported promptly and recorded. First aid kits are provided on-site, and specified operatives hold first aid qualifications for the workplace. Emergency procedures include actions for personal injury, fire, chemical spill or collapse, and arrangements for contacting emergency services. Investigations identify root causes and feed into continuous improvement for all gardening operations.

Public safety and site security: When working in public areas or private gardens with foot traffic, our teams ensure clear signage, cordons and safe pedestrian diversion where necessary. Tools are secured when not in use to prevent access by children or passers-by. For evening or low-visibility work, hi-vis clothing and adequate lighting are mandatory. These measures help maintain a secure environment for both the public and our workforce.

Substances and environmental protection: Gardening Barbican uses plant protection products and fertilizers only when necessary and stores them in labelled containers with up-to-date safety information. We prioritise low-toxicity options and follow best practice for application to avoid harm to wildlife, watercourses and soil. Waste is managed responsibly and green waste is recycled or composted where possible to reduce environmental impact.

Monitoring, review and continual improvement: This policy is reviewed periodically to reflect changes in work methods, equipment, regulations and incident learnings. Performance is monitored through site inspections, audits and safety meetings. We encourage open communication so that staff can raise concerns and suggest improvements — a proactive safety culture supports high-quality gardening services in the Barbican area.

Enforcement and compliance: Non-compliance with safety procedures is addressed through corrective action, additional training or disciplinary measures if necessary. Our approach is to support improvement while maintaining rigorous standards to protect people and property. The policy aligns with recognised industry standards for garden maintenance, landscaping and tree care without detailing specific legal provisions.

Summary of key commitments:

• Carry out and record risk assessments for all tasks.
• Provide training, supervision and competence verification.
• Maintain tools and machines to a high standard.
• Safeguard public access and environmental quality.
• Report, investigate and learn from incidents.

Approval and next steps: This policy is approved by Gardening Barbican management and communicated to all team members. It will be published internally, used as the foundation for site-level safe systems of work and reviewed at least annually or after any significant event. By embedding these principles we ensure our gardening services in Barbican and surrounding locations are delivered safely and professionally.