Health and Safety Policy — Gardening Victoria

Purpose and commitment: This Health and Safety Policy outlines the approach of Gardening Victoria to protect workers, clients, contractors and the public while delivering professional gardening services in the Victoria service area. Our policy describes obligations, safe work practices and continuous improvement measures to reduce harm and manage risks related to horticultural tasks, landscaping, pruning, turf management and garden maintenance. It demonstrates our ongoing commitment to safety excellence across all gardening operations.

Scope and application

This policy applies to all employees, subcontractors, volunteers and visitors engaged by the Victoria gardening company. It covers routine and non-routine tasks including machinery operation, chemical handling, manual handling, working at height, electrical gardening equipment and vehicles. The policy supports safe site management for residential, commercial and public space work within our gardening service area and extends to training, incident reporting and return-to-work arrangements.

Key principles

Our safety philosophy is founded on hazard identification, risk control hierarchy and active worker participation. We prioritise elimination and substitution of hazards where feasible, then engineering and administrative controls, and finally appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Strong leadership and visible supervision ensure safe standards are applied. Everyone must be empowered to stop work if immediate danger exists and to report hazards without fear of reprisal.

Roles and responsibilities: Management commits to providing safe plant, tools and training, maintaining records and ensuring adequate supervision. Supervisors are responsible for conducting pre-start risk assessments, enforcing safe systems of work and mentoring staff. Workers must follow procedures, wear PPE, participate in training and report hazards and incidents promptly. Contractors engaged by the gardening company must comply with our safety requirements and demonstrate suitable competency and insurance for specialised tasks.

Risk management and controls

We conduct regular site inspections and risk assessments tailored to each job. Controls include machine guarding, lockout/tagout for equipment servicing, safe lifting procedures, exclusion zones during tree maintenance and clear traffic management where vehicles operate. Chemical safety is managed through proper storage, SDS access, dilution and application procedures and use of appropriate respirators when required. Maintenance schedules for mowers, chainsaws and hoses reduce mechanical failure risks.

Training and competence are central to our approach. All staff receive induction, task-specific training and refresher courses. Training covers correct use of chainsaws, brush cutters, stump grinders, PPE selection, manual handling techniques and first aid. We maintain training records and monitor performance. Allocated supervisors support continuous professional development and ensure that new or unfamiliar tasks are assessed before work begins.

Incident reporting and investigation

All incidents, near misses and injuries must be reported immediately using our internal reporting process. Prompt reporting enables timely first aid, medical treatment and corrective actions. Investigations are conducted to determine root causes and to implement remedial measures. Lessons learned are communicated to staff and incorporated into safe work procedures to prevent recurrence. The gardening service area benefits when knowledge is shared across teams.

Emergency preparedness Emergency plans are in place for medical emergencies, fire and environmental spills. First aid kits are available at sites and personnel trained in first aid are present during operations. Emergency contacts and site-specific evacuation arrangements are defined in job plans, and emergency drills are held periodically to test response capabilities. We emphasise clear communication, effective incident control and timely escalation when required.

Sustainability and wellbeing Our Health and Safety Policy recognises the link between worker wellbeing and safe performance. Programs to manage fatigue, heat stress, manual handling strain and mental health are integrated into daily practices. We adopt environmentally responsible practices such as minimized pesticide use, safe fertiliser application and erosion controls to protect both people and the broader environment within the gardening company service area.

Monitoring, review and continuous improvement: We monitor safety performance through inspections, safety meetings and key performance indicators. Regular audits and management reviews ensure the policy remains effective and aligned with industry best practice. Changes to equipment, work methods or regulations prompt policy reviews and updates to procedures. Employees are encouraged to contribute ideas for improving safety and operational efficiency.

Specific safety practices for our gardening teams include routine pre-start checks, use of hearing and eye protection, clear signage around hazards, and safe vehicle loading and unloading. We maintain a corrective action register and follow up on outstanding items to ensure accountability. Key controls are documented in job safety analyses and safe work method statements that support field crews day-to-day.

Policy adoption and communication: This policy is endorsed by senior management and is communicated to all staff, contractors and stakeholders associated with Gardening Victoria. It is available in accessible formats and reinforced during meetings and toolbox talks. Commitment to health and safety is a condition of engagement for everyone working under the banner of this Victoria gardening company. Together we maintain safe, professional and reliable gardening services across our service area.