Health & Safety Policy for Lawn Mowing Marylebone

Purpose: This health and safety policy sets out the commitments and procedures that govern safe operations for our Lawn Mowing Marylebone and wider grass care services. The policy applies to every member of our team and our contractors when providing lawn care, garden maintenance and grass-cutting services across the service area. It explains responsibilities, risk management, equipment controls and emergency procedures in order to protect staff, clients, members of the public and property. The intention is to make safety integral to everyday operations and to promote a positive safety culture.

Scope and application: This policy covers routine turf maintenance, hedging, edging, mechanical mowing, strimming, waste handling and site-specific preparatory and finishing tasks associated with local lawn maintenance and garden upkeep. It is applicable to permanent employees, temporary workers and subcontractors who undertake lawn and garden duties. The policy uses recognised good-practice principles and is reviewed regularly to reflect changing equipment, environmental considerations and industry standards.

Responsibilities: Management is responsible for setting policy, providing suitable resources and ensuring staff receive competent training and supervision. Employees must follow safe systems of work, report hazards and use issued personal protective equipment (PPE). Supervisors will conduct pre-job briefings and ensure machinery is maintained. The organisation will conduct documented risk assessments and health surveillance where appropriate to lawn care, turf maintenance and grass-cutting operations.

Risk controls are based on systematic site assessments prior to each job. Assessments will identify hazards such as uneven ground, hidden objects, slopes, proximity to traffic, underground services, public access and nearby structures. Where mechanical equipment is required, isolation, guarding and exclusion zones are used to prevent contact with moving parts. Work methods will be adjusted to suit weather conditions and ground state. We maintain a hierarchy of controls: eliminate, substitute, engineer, administrate and PPE to reduce risk to as low as reasonably practicable.

Personal protective equipment: Issued PPE includes protective boots, eye protection, hearing protection, gloves and high-visibility clothing. Additional PPE such as chainsaw chaps or cut-resistant leggings are provided when tasks demand. PPE is inspected, cleaned and replaced when worn. Workers must wear PPE in accordance with task risk assessments and are instructed in correct fitting and care. The company enforces the wearing of appropriate PPE at all times on site.

• Site set-up: Clear signage and barriers where necessary;
• Equipment checks: Pre-use inspection and daily maintenance;
• Safe distances: Establish human exclusion zones for mowing and strimming;
• Vehicle safety: Load securement and safe parking procedures for transit to work sites.

Operators of mowers, strimmers, blowers and other powered equipment receive formal training on safe operation, maintenance and emergency shutdown procedures. Training includes the recognition of defective equipment and the process for taking machinery out of service. Simple mechanical tasks are undertaken by trained staff only. The company maintains up-to-date records of training, qualifications and competence assessments for all personnel involved in lawn and garden services, including grass-cutting roles across the Marylebone area.

COSHH and fertilizers: Where chemicals, weed control products or fertilizers are used, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS/COSHH files) are kept on site and staff receive instruction on safe handling, application rates and spill response. Chemicals are stored in secure, labelled containers and used only by trained personnel. Non-chemical alternatives and environmentally sensitive practices are preferred when compatible with the agreed scope of work.

Incident reporting and first aid: All accidents, near-misses and occupational illnesses must be reported promptly and recorded. First aid kits appropriate to the work are provided on each vehicle and at base. A nominated first aider is assigned per crew and contact arrangements for emergency services are in place. Investigations will identify root causes and corrective actions to prevent recurrence, and learnings will be communicated to relevant staff.

Environmental and waste management: The company minimises environmental impact via responsible grass clippings management, correct disposal of green waste and careful fuel handling. Spills are contained and cleaned with suitable absorbents, and waste streams are segregated and disposed of through licensed channels. Silt, run-off and noise impacts are considered when planning work in sensitive settings to protect soil and waterways.

Monitoring and review: Health and safety performance is measured through inspections, audits and toolbox talks. Regular reviews ensure the policy remains relevant and effective. Key performance indicators include incident rates, training completion, equipment defect rates and client observations related to safety practices. The policy is updated in response to legislative changes, accident investigations or new best practice for lawn care and grounds maintenance.

Commitment: Our company is committed to continuous improvement and to providing safe, professional lawn maintenance and grass cutting services. Everyone engaged in lawn upkeep and garden maintenance has a duty to co-operate with this policy. By adhering to these standards we aim to deliver reliable, safe and responsible lawn care across the service area while protecting people, property and the environment.