Health and Safety Policy for Gardeners Fortis Green

Gardeners Fortis Green is committed to providing gardening and grounds maintenance services in a manner that protects the health, safety, and wellbeing of our employees, clients, visitors, contractors, and members of the public. We aim to prevent accidents, injuries, ill health, and damage to property by following safe systems of work, complying with relevant health and safety legislation, and continually improving our standards.

Policy Aims and Objectives

The purpose of this policy is to set out clear arrangements for managing health and safety in all gardening, landscaping, and maintenance activities. Our objectives are to identify and control risks, provide safe equipment and methods of work, ensure staff competence through training, and promote a positive safety culture across all sites where we operate.

Management Responsibilities

Management at Gardeners Fortis Green has overall responsibility for health and safety performance. This includes establishing procedures, providing resources, and ensuring compliance with this policy. Managers will:

Ensure risk assessments are completed, recorded, and reviewed for gardening tasks and locations.

Provide appropriate tools and machinery that are safe, properly maintained, and suitable for their intended use.

Ensure that all staff receive the necessary information, instruction, and training to work safely.

Monitor working practices, investigate incidents and near misses, and implement corrective actions where required.

Review this policy regularly to reflect changes in legislation, industry best practice, and company operations.

Employee Responsibilities

All employees of Gardeners Fortis Green share responsibility for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their work. Employees are required to:

Follow all safety procedures, instructions, and training provided.

Use tools, machinery, and personal protective equipment correctly and report any defects immediately.

Report accidents, injuries, near misses, unsafe conditions, or concerns to management without delay.

Cooperate with management in implementing safety measures and attending required training.

Behave responsibly and avoid any conduct that could endanger themselves, colleagues, clients, or members of the public.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Gardeners Fortis Green will conduct suitable and proportionate risk assessments for gardening and maintenance activities including lawn care, hedge trimming, tree work within our competence, planting, weeding, soft landscaping, use of machinery, handling of green waste, and working in clients gardens or shared outdoor spaces. These assessments will identify hazards, evaluate risks, and specify control measures.

Safe systems of work will be developed for higher risk tasks, including but not limited to the use of powered cutting tools, working at height with ladders within safe limits, handling heavy loads such as soil bags and planters, and operating equipment in areas accessible to the public. Employees will be briefed on these systems and expected to follow them at all times.

Training, Competence, and Supervision

Gardeners Fortis Green recognises that competent staff are essential to maintaining high health and safety standards. We will provide appropriate induction and ongoing training for all employees, covering topics such as safe use of equipment, manual handling, control of substances, personal protective equipment, and site-specific hazards.

Only trained and authorised employees are permitted to operate powered machinery. New or inexperienced staff will be supervised until they have demonstrated competence. Refresher training will be provided as needed, especially when introducing new tools, materials, or methods of work.

Personal Protective Equipment

Where risks cannot be adequately controlled by other means, Gardeners Fortis Green will provide suitable personal protective equipment. This may include, as appropriate to the task, safety footwear, gloves, eye and face protection, hearing protection, high-visibility clothing, and respiratory protection for specific activities.

Employees must use personal protective equipment as instructed, keep it in good condition, and report any damage or loss. Replacement items will be provided when necessary.

Machinery, Tools, and Equipment Safety

All machinery, power tools, and hand tools used by Gardeners Fortis Green will be selected for suitability, maintained in good working order, and inspected regularly. Defective equipment will be taken out of service immediately.

Equipment will be used in accordance with manufacturer instructions and company procedures. Fuel, oils, and batteries will be handled and stored safely. Guards and safety devices must not be removed or bypassed. Tools will be transported and stored securely to prevent injury or damage.

Manual Handling and Ergonomics

Gardening often involves lifting, carrying, bending, and repetitive movements. Gardeners Fortis Green will seek to minimise manual handling risks by using mechanical aids where appropriate, planning deliveries, and encouraging team lifting for heavy or awkward loads.

Employees will receive guidance on good manual handling techniques and are expected to avoid lifting beyond their capabilities. Work will be organised to reduce unnecessary strain and allow for appropriate breaks during intensive physical activity.

Use of Chemicals and Substances

When using horticultural products such as fertilisers, compost additives, or other substances, Gardeners Fortis Green will follow safety data information, apply products at recommended rates, and store them securely. Only trained personnel may apply any chemical products.

Where necessary, controls will be implemented to reduce exposure, including the use of suitable personal protective equipment, careful measurement, and restricted access to treated areas until it is safe.

Public, Client, and Property Protection

Our teams often work in residential gardens and shared outdoor spaces. Gardeners Fortis Green will plan work to minimise risks to clients, neighbours, passers-by, and pets. This includes maintaining clear work areas, using barriers or signage where required, and scheduling high-risk activities to reduce public exposure.

We will take reasonable care to protect property, including vehicles, garden structures, fixtures, and neighbouring land. Any damage or incident involving the public or client property will be reported to management and investigated.

Environmental and Site Conditions

Weather and ground conditions can significantly affect safety in outdoor gardening work. Gardeners Fortis Green will consider factors such as wind, rain, heat, cold, and reduced visibility when planning and carrying out tasks. Work may be modified or postponed if conditions create unacceptable risk.

Care will be taken around uneven ground, slopes, water features, underground services, and wildlife habitats. Site-specific hazards will be identified at the start of each job and communicated to all team members.

Incident Reporting and Policy Review

All accidents, near misses, and safety concerns must be reported promptly so that we can investigate causes and prevent recurrence. Gardeners Fortis Green will keep appropriate records of incidents and use this information to improve our procedures.

This health and safety policy will be reviewed regularly and updated when necessary to reflect changes in operations, legislation, and industry guidance. The updated policy will be communicated to all employees and made available to clients on request.