Lawn Mowing Sanderstead — Health & Safety Policy

This Health and Safety policy sets out the approach of our lawn mowing and garden maintenance operations in the Sanderstead area. It applies to all on-site activities associated with turf care, grass cutting, verge works and related grounds maintenance. The policy aims to protect staff, customers, contractors and the public while delivering a high-quality lawn mowing service in Sanderstead and surrounding neighbourhoods.

Purpose and Scope

The policy explains responsibilities, safe working practices, and the standards expected during every visit. It covers risk assessment, use of equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE), training, incident reporting and environmental controls. Our commitment is to continuous improvement, ensuring that safety is integrated into every stage of the Sanderstead lawn mowing process.

All employees and subcontractors providing lawn mowing services or ancillary gardening work must read and comply with this policy. Managers will ensure that risk assessments are completed for each site and that safe systems of work are in place, documented, and reviewed in line with operational changes and seasonal demands.

Responsibilities

Management has overall responsibility for health and safety, including provision of training, suitable tools and maintenance schedules. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring staff follow safe working procedures. Every operative is responsible for using PPE and reporting hazards. Contractors must provide evidence of competence and any task-specific safety documentation before starting work.

Employees must not undertake work for which they are untrained or for which appropriate safety controls are not in place. Safe behaviour and active hazard reporting are encouraged: if a task appears unsafe, stop and seek guidance. This culture reduces incidents and supports reliable lawn cutting across Sanderstead.

Key duty holders will complete and retain records of inductions, machinery checks, and toolbox talks. Documented inspections of mowers, trimmers and powered equipment are carried out at regular intervals to prevent failures and reduce the likelihood of injury.

Risk assessments identify hazards such as:

• slips, trips and falls on wet or uneven ground;
• contact with rotating blades or ejected debris;
• noise and vibration exposure;
• manual handling strains from lifting machinery or waste.

Controls include exclusion zones during cutting, routine equipment guarding and safe disposal of clippings and arisings.

Use of PPE is mandatory: protective boots, high-visibility clothing, eye protection, gloves and hearing protection where required. Employees are responsible for maintaining PPE in good condition and reporting defects immediately.

Correct manual handling techniques are taught at induction and reinforced through practical training. Mechanical aids are used for heavy loads where possible. These measures reduce occupational strain and support long-term workforce wellbeing across our garden services.

Equipment safety standards require that all petrol and battery-powered mowers, strimmers and blowers are serviced to manufacturer recommendations. Pre-start checks must be recorded, including fuel/oil levels, guards and safety cut-outs. Faulty equipment must be taken out of service until repaired by a competent person.

Battery-powered tools should be charged in well-ventilated areas and batteries stored to avoid damage. Fuelling of machines is performed with care, using spill trays where appropriate and away from ignition sources. These controls are central to safe lawn mowing in Sanderstead operations.

Noise and vibration assessments guide the selection of equipment and duration of exposure. Rotational scheduling limits continuous exposure to higher noise tools, and hearing protection is provided and enforced when risk levels demand it.

Training and competence are maintained through structured inductions, periodic refreshers and shadowing of experienced operatives. Employees are trained in emergency procedures, including first aid response and the safe management of fuel or chemical spills. A nominated first aider is present for every job, and a stocked first aid kit is carried in company vehicles.

Emergency and incident reporting procedures are clearly documented. All incidents, near misses and unsafe conditions must be reported without delay so that remedial actions and learning can be implemented. Regular reviews of incidents inform changes to practice and training needs.

Site-specific safeguards include establishing safe access routes, controlling pedestrian segregation where public footpaths are adjacent, and using signage and barriers to protect the public. Operatives will liaise with property occupants to minimise risks during works.

Environmental considerations are incorporated into our safety policy. Grass clippings are managed to avoid blocking drains and to reduce slip risks on public pathways. Fuel and lubricant storage follows safe containment practices to prevent contamination of soil or watercourses in the wider Sanderstead locality.

Monitoring, audit and continuous improvement are fundamental. Supervisors conduct spot checks and scheduled audits to ensure compliance with this policy. Findings are recorded and actioned, and lessons are cascaded to teams during toolbox talks and briefings.

Review and governance: this policy is reviewed annually or sooner should operational changes, incidents or new legislation require. Commitment to safety underpins our service delivery and helps ensure that customers receive a reliable, professional lawn mowing service across Sanderstead and neighbouring communities.