Health & Safety Policy — Lawn Mowing Osterley
Purpose: This Health and Safety policy applies to all lawn care operations undertaken by our team providing Lawn Mowing Osterley and related garden maintenance services. It sets out the commitments, responsibilities and safe working practices designed to protect staff, clients, members of the public and property while delivering high-quality Osterley lawn mowing and grounds upkeep. The company recognises that safety is integral to effective service delivery and commits to continuous improvement in standards.
Scope and Responsibilities
The policy covers routine mowing, edging, turf repair, grass collection, site preparation and equipment transport. All operatives must be trained and competent in the tasks they perform. Supervisors are responsible for carrying out pre-job briefings and verifying that teams adhere to requirements for personal protective equipment (PPE), safe machine operation and exclusion zones. Clients and site owners should be informed of planned activities where work might affect access or create slip/trip hazards.
Key Principles: The company adopts a risk-based approach and implements control measures to reduce hazards. Core principles include:
- Risk assessment before starting new or unfamiliar tasks.
- Training and supervision to ensure competence.
- Maintenance of equipment to manufacturer standards.
- Use of appropriate PPE including eye, ear, hand and foot protection.
- Safe exclusion zones to protect the public and property from flying debris.
Risk Assessment and Planning
Before any Osterley lawn maintenance task begins a documented assessment will be made of the site. Assessments consider ground conditions, slopes, buried services, wildlife habitats and pedestrian/vehicle movements. Plans must identify safe access routes, equipment selection and emergency arrangements. Where hazardous materials or protected wildlife are present, work will be adapted or postponed until it is safe and legal to proceed.
Equipment and Machinery Safety: All mowers, strimmers, trimmers and blowers shall be inspected daily and maintained according to a planned schedule. Operators are instructed to remove keys, isolate blades and secure moving parts before carrying out adjustments or maintenance. Fueling procedures are controlled to avoid ignition sources and spills, and battery-powered tools are used where they reduce risk without compromising effectiveness in lawn care in Osterley.
Guards and safety devices must never be bypassed; any defective equipment is to be taken out of service immediately and reported. Start-up, shut-down and transport procedures are standardised so teams move safely between properties and public walkways, reducing exposure to traffic and bystanders.
Workforce Training and Competence: The business maintains records of qualifications, training and refresher courses. New staff receive induction training on company policies and safe methods for Osterley lawn mowing services. Supervisors monitor performance and deliver spot checks to ensure standards are met. First aid provision and appointed first aiders are available for every working shift, and emergency contact procedures are communicated during briefings.
Environmental and Chemical Safety: When chemical treatments or fertilisers are required, operators follow product safety data sheets and use only approved substances. Storage, handling and disposal of chemicals comply with best practice to minimise contamination of soil and waterways. Green waste is removed or composted responsibly and fuel/oil spills are contained and cleaned so that landscaping work does not create long-term environmental impact.
Public Safety and Site Management: Public safety is achieved through signage, cordons and scheduling work to minimise interaction with peak pedestrian times. Where properties are adjacent to busy areas, additional marshaling and observation is provided. Care is taken to protect hedges, flowerbeds and structures from damage; where there is a risk to vulnerable features, work methods are adapted and written permission obtained where necessary.
Incident Reporting and Continuous Improvement: All incidents, near misses and unsafe conditions must be reported immediately and recorded. Investigations focus on root causes and result in changes to procedures, additional training or equipment upgrades where appropriate. Performance is reviewed periodically to ensure the policy remains effective and reflects evolving best practice in lawn and garden safety.
Contractors and subcontractors engaged for specialist tasks must demonstrate compliance with this policy and provide evidence of their own safety systems. Regular audits and joint site inspections form part of the assurance process to maintain consistent standards across all operations.
