Health and Safety Policy — Lawn Mowing Seven Kings
This Health and Safety policy sets out the commitment of Lawn Mowing Seven Kings and its operatives to maintain safe, healthy working environments while delivering professional garden and lawn care services across our service area. The purpose of this document is to define responsibilities, outline risk control measures and describe safe systems of work for all staff involved in lawn mowing Seven Kings, turf maintenance and ancillary gardening duties. It applies to permanent staff, contractors and temporary operatives engaged in the delivery of garden mowing in Seven Kings and nearby locations, and reflects a proactive approach to preventing injury, ill health and damage to property and the environment.
We expect everyone working under the Lawn Mowing Seven Kings banner to cooperate in implementing this policy. Key responsibilities are allocated as follows: the management team will provide resources, information and leadership; supervisors and team leaders will ensure safe systems are used on-site; and operatives must follow instructions, use personal protective equipment and report hazards. Employees are required to attend training, complete pre-work checks and take reasonable care for their own safety and for others.
The company undertakes to carry out and record risk assessments for all routine tasks and for any non-routine work. For lawn maintenance in Seven Kings we identify hazards such as rotating mower blades, powered edging equipment, fuel handling, slips, trips and falls, manual handling, working near roads and exposure to noise or vibration. Controls will include the substitution of higher-risk equipment where possible, implementation of exclusion zones during operation, and clear site briefings prior to work. Regular site inspections will verify that control measures remain effective.
Risk Controls and Safe Working Practices
All operatives must use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when performing garden and lawncare tasks. This includes, as a minimum: protective footwear, eye protection, hearing protection for noisy plant, and gloves. Equipment used by our Seven Kings lawn care teams must be maintained in accordance with manufacturers' guidance and inspected before use. Fuel and battery charging activities are to be handled in designated areas to reduce fire risk and environmental contamination.
Training and competence form the cornerstone of safe delivery of lawn and garden services. New staff receive induction training covering safe operation of mowers, strimmers and handheld tools, manual handling techniques and the safe storage of hazardous substances. The company maintains training records and arranges refresher training whenever practices change or after an incident. Contractors undertaking specialist tasks will provide evidence of competence and will be required to comply with our health and safety expectations.
Safe working procedures are to be followed for specific activities, including edging, hedge trimming, use of ride-on mowers and work close to public footpaths or highways. Supervisors will confirm method statements where complex or high-risk tasks are scheduled. Communication between operatives and with the public is emphasised to reduce the risk of accidental contact or injury.
Emergency Preparedness, Reporting and Controls
Emergency response arrangements include provision of first aid kits, identification of nearest first aiders and clear instructions for summoning emergency services. All incidents, near misses and unsafe conditions must be reported promptly so they can be investigated and actions taken to prevent recurrence. Documentation of incidents and corrective measures supports continuous improvement and helps prioritise training and resource allocation.
This policy requires specific attention to manual handling, lone working and traffic management on sites where ride-on mowers or vehicles operate. Operatives must avoid manual lifting of heavy objects whenever possible and use mechanical aids or team lifts if necessary. Where work takes place near roads, temporary signage and high-visibility clothing are mandatory to protect the public and staff.
Environmental and hazardous substance controls govern the storage, use and disposal of fuels, oils, pesticides and other chemicals used in garden maintenance. We adopt safe handling practices, use licensed products only when necessary and ensure correct containment to prevent soil and water contamination. Waste cuttings and green waste are handled in a manner that reduces fire risk and complies with accepted environmental standards. The company will carry out periodic audits, monitor performance, and review this policy annually or following any significant change in operations.
To ensure transparency and adherence, the following operational measures are included as part of the policy:
- Routine pre-use equipment checks
- Daily tool and plant inspections and maintenance records
- Planned training and competency assessments
- Clear incident reporting and investigation procedures
Management will review roles, responsibilities and safety performance through periodic inspections and management reviews. Key performance indicators include incident rates, completion of planned maintenance, and training completion rates. Continuous improvement is achieved by acting on audit findings, learning from incidents and engaging staff in developing safer working methods.
All staff are required to read, understand and comply with this policy. Non-compliance will be managed through the company disciplinary process, with a view to correcting unsafe behaviour and reinforcing training. Together, by following this policy and applying common-sense precautions, Lawn Mowing Seven Kings and its teams will deliver excellent lawn mowing and garden maintenance while minimising risk to people and the environment.
