Health & Safety Policy — Lawn Mowing Parsons Green

This Health and Safety Policy sets out the commitments and practical controls for Lawn Mowing Parsons Green operations. It applies to all employees, contractors and supervisors involved in garden maintenance and turf care across our service area. The purpose is to minimise risk, protect staff and members of the public, and to ensure safe completion of routine lawn care and landscape tasks.

We emphasise a proactive approach to risk reduction in Parsons Green lawn care activities. Responsibilities are allocated so that supervisors carry out risk assessments before starting work, and operatives are provided with appropriate equipment and training. The policy promotes a culture where safety is integral to every lawn maintenance visit and where reporting hazards is encouraged and acted upon swiftly.

All staff must understand that safety requirements are part of the job. This includes adherence to equipment safe use, personal protective equipment (PPE) protocols and worksite traffic management. Regular toolbox talks, briefings before tasks and documented checks of machinery reduce the chance of incident when performing routine grass cutting and edging tasks in domestic and communal green spaces.

The scope of the policy covers mowing, edging, strimming, turf repair and disposal of green waste. It applies equally to commercial contracts and domestic service calls across the local service area. We adopt risk-based planning to identify specific hazards for each job, including slope, underground services, adjacent public footpaths and access limitations that might affect safe operation.

Key responsibilities include: supervisors ensuring job-specific risk assessments; operatives following safe systems of work; and management providing adequate resources, maintenance schedules and training. Performance is monitored through routine site inspections, audit checklists and periodic reviews of incident trends to prevent recurrence.

Control measures include pre-start inspections of mowers and handheld tools, regular sharpening and maintenance, and clear exclusion zones when machinery is in use. We require audible or visible warning methods near public areas and ensure that any bystanders or pedestrians are kept at a safe distance during cutting operations.

Manual handling and ergonomic risk controls feature in our day-to-day safety planning. Staff are trained in safe lifting techniques for turf rolls, equipment transport and waste handling. Mechanical aids are supplied where appropriate. Safe posture guidance and scheduled rest breaks are enforced to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injury during repeated garden tasks.

We implement personal protective equipment standards for tasks such as strimming, hedge cutting and mulching: high visibility clothing, safety boots, gloves, hearing protection and eye protection are mandatory where risks are identified. PPE is maintained and replaced as necessary, and staff are trained in correct usage.

Chemical handling and storage controls are applied for turf treatments and weed control products. Where applicable, operatives follow COSHH-style precautions: use of only approved products, correct dilution, secure storage and appropriate spill response. Any use of substances is recorded and only trained staff are authorised to apply them.

Traffic and pedestrian management receives specific attention during verge mowing and roadside jobs. Barriers, cones and signage are used where required, and staff wear high-visibility PPE. Work is scheduled to reduce exposure during peak pedestrian times, and where necessary, a banksman is used to assist with vehicle movement and public safety.

Emergency procedures include access to first aid kits on every vehicle, trained first aiders on larger jobs, and clear instructions for contacting emergency services. Incidents, near misses and injuries must be reported immediately, recorded and followed by an investigation to identify corrective actions that reduce future risk.

Fire prevention and basic electrical safety are observed with battery-charging protocols, safe refuelling practices and isolation of faulty electrical tools. Vehicles and mobile machinery are secured to prevent unauthorised use, and batteries and fuel are stored in designated, ventilated areas.

Training and competence are central to delivering safe lawn maintenance in Parsons Green. New staff undergo induction covering this safety policy, equipment operation, hazard recognition and emergency response. Ongoing training includes refresher courses, assessment of practical skills and updates for regulatory or procedural changes.

Environmental considerations complement health and safety measures: careful handling of green waste, prevention of soil erosion, and mindful pollutant control during vehicle servicing. Sustainable working practices help protect both operatives and the wider community while delivering quality lawn and garden services.

This policy is reviewed at least annually or after any significant incident or change in working practice. Management will communicate updates to all staff and ensure the continued availability of resources to implement improvements. By embedding these controls within our operations, Lawn Mowing Parsons Green aims to deliver safe, reliable lawn care and garden maintenance across the service area.