Health & Safety Policy — Gardener Bow

Gardener Bow recognises that the health, safety and welfare of staff, contractors and the public are essential elements of our garden maintenance and landscaping operations. This policy sets out our commitments to create and maintain safe working conditions across our gardening services in the service area. The statement below applies to all day-to-day activities and seasonal projects delivered by the Gardener Bow team and any authorised sub-contractors acting on our behalf.

We will maintain a proactive approach to risk management by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing proportionate control measures. Responsibilities are allocated clearly: senior management provide leadership and resources, supervisors ensure safe systems on site, and every worker must follow safe working practices. We promote a culture where safety is everyone’s responsibility and encourage reporting of concerns without fear of reprisal.

Our risk control measures include regular training, documented procedures for hazardous tasks and provision of personal protective equipment (PPE). Activities that commonly arise in garden care — such as tree work, use of powered equipment, manual handling and chemical use for weed control — are subject to specific task assessments. We will ensure that tools and machinery are maintained, inspected and used only by trained personnel to reduce the chance of injury or equipment failure.

Gardener Bow commits to the following organisational standards: a written Health and Safety management plan, planned induction and refresher training, and regular toolbox talks. Supervisors will undertake site-specific briefings so that staff understand hazards and control measures before any work starts. We will also maintain documented records of training, incidents and inspections to support continuous improvement.

Practical control measures include the use of appropriate PPE (gloves, eye protection, hearing protection and hi-vis clothing), safe systems for working at height, exclusion zones when using machinery, and robust manual handling techniques. We emphasise the safe storage and clear labelling of any horticultural chemicals and compost amendments, applying the principle of substitution and minimising use where feasible.

To support safe working, we provide equipment checks, safe loading and transport procedures for vans and trailers, and guidelines for working in varied weather conditions. Emergency preparedness includes first aid provision, access to emergency services and clear procedures for rapid response should an incident occur on site.

Managers will ensure that risk assessments are current and that competent personnel conduct specialist activities such as chain saw operations and advanced pruning. All staff undertake induction training and role-specific modules to confirm competence. We use a combination of formal training, practical assessment and on-the-job supervision to maintain standards.

Contractors and temporary staff are required to comply with Gardener Bow policies and demonstrate relevant qualifications. Prior to engagement, we review contractor safety arrangements and set clear expectations. Site supervisors will monitor contractor performance and intervene where practices fall short of required standards.

Incidents, near misses and unsafe conditions will be reported promptly and investigated proportionately to prevent recurrence. Lessons learned are shared across the organisation and changes to procedures are implemented where appropriate. We use a simple reporting framework that encourages rapid recording and follow-up so improvements are sustained.

Environmental protection is integrated into our health and safety arrangements. Waste handling, fuel storage and spill prevention are managed to protect staff and the wider community. We adopt sustainable practices where practical and ensure that tasks do not create unnecessary risks to people or the environment.

Periodic review of this policy ensures it remains relevant to our activities and reflects changes in equipment, techniques or the company’s service scope. We will audit performance, review risk assessments after incidents and consult staff on practical improvements. The policy is subject to scheduled review at least annually or sooner where material changes occur.

Summary of key commitments:

• Control risks through assessment, training and equipment maintenance
• Protect people with suitable PPE, supervision and emergency arrangements
• Ensure competence via induction, training and checks
• Engage contractors on clear safety expectations
• Review and improve by recording incidents and acting on findings

Gardener Bow is committed to embedding these principles across all gardening services and locations we serve. This policy supports safe, efficient and sustainable delivery of garden maintenance, landscaping and grounds care, and will be communicated to staff and operational partners to ensure collective ownership and consistent practice.