Health and Safety Policy — Gardeners Barbican

Gardeners Barbican is committed to delivering safe, professional gardening and landscape services across our service area. This health and safety policy outlines our approach to protecting employees, contractors and the public while providing high-quality garden maintenance and soft landscaping. The aim is to prevent accidents, minimise occupational hazards and promote a positive safety culture. Our Barbican gardeners and visiting teams must follow the controls and procedures described here as part of routine site work, seasonal operations and any bespoke gardening projects.

All staff and subcontractors are required to understand their responsibilities. Management will provide resources, training and supervision; team leaders will ensure daily checks are carried out; individual operatives must take personal responsibility for safe practice. The policy applies to pruning, hedge cutting, turfing, planting, soil handling, use of petrol and electric equipment, and the handling of fertilizers and approved chemicals. We insist on the use of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and expect adherence to safe systems of work.

Risk assessment is central to our approach. Before work begins, a site-specific risk assessment will identify hazards such as uneven ground, underground services, adjacent traffic, and vulnerable people on site. Control measures will be recorded, communicated and reviewed regularly. Our gardening company prioritises proactive hazard identification and safe equipment selection so that every task is planned to eliminate or reduce risk to as low as reasonably practicable.

Supervisors and the Barbican gardening team will receive documented training on safe operation of machinery, ladder safety, manual handling and chemical safety. All new operatives undertake an induction covering emergency procedures, reporting of incidents and the company policy for on-site welfare. We maintain competence records and schedule refresher training to ensure our garden maintenance Barbican crews remain current with best practice and any technological changes in equipment or products.

The company provides clear channels for communication. Daily briefings and toolbox talks will be used to reinforce safety messages, share lessons from incidents and confirm controls for the day’s work. A near-miss reporting culture is encouraged: staff must report hazards immediately and supervisors will act without delay. Strong leadership and visible supervision help to ensure that safe working methods are followed by everyone from senior operatives to temporary assistants.

We operate an exposure control strategy for hazardous substances used in horticulture. COSHH-style principles are applied to selection, storage and application of pesticides, herbicides and fertilisers. Equipment maintenance schedules reduce the risk of mechanical failure. Safe fueling procedures, guards on power tools and RCD protection for electric equipment are mandatory for our gardening contractors and teams operating in the Barbican area.

• Pre-start checks on machinery and PPE
• Safe work method statements for higher-risk tasks
• Emergency and first-aid arrangements on every site

We actively monitor performance through inspections, audits and review of incident records. Any accident or near miss triggers an investigation to identify the root cause and corrective actions. Our health and safety policy will be reviewed annually or sooner following significant change, ensuring the Gardeners Barbican policy remains relevant and effective. Clients and site hosts can expect consistent application of these standards by all Barbican gardeners representing our company.

Welfare and site access are managed to reduce risk to the public and workforce. Signage, exclusion zones and safe pedestrian routes are used where work is close to walkways or property entrances. Manual handling techniques are taught and mechanical aids provided when required. We emphasise hydration, rest breaks and suitable clothing for seasonal conditions to maintain wellbeing during long shifts in the field.

In summary, our gardening services are underpinned by a clear, practical health and safety policy designed for garden maintenance teams working in urban and residential settings. The policy combines robust planning, staff competence and active supervision to manage hazards effectively. By embedding safety into every aspect of our work, Gardeners Barbican aims to deliver excellent landscaping and maintenance outcomes while safeguarding people, property and the environment.