Health and Safety Policy — Gardening Services Victoria

Policy statement: Gardening Services Victoria is committed to protecting the health, safety and welfare of all employees, contractors, visitors and the public affected by our gardening and landscaping operations. This policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with horticultural work, garden maintenance in Victoria and related outdoor services. We aim to prevent injury and ill health through active hazard control, continuous training and a culture of shared responsibility.

Scope and objectives

This policy applies to all work performed by the company, including garden maintenance, landscape construction, tree and shrub care, pest management and seasonal groundskeeping. Our objectives are to: minimise harm, comply with general safety principles and maintain safe working systems. The policy supports business continuity for gardening services and sets measurable goals for injury reduction and safety performance improvement.

Roles and responsibilities: Senior management will provide resources and leadership to ensure safety is integrated into every job. Supervisors must assess risks, supervise work and ensure safe procedures are followed. All workers are required to follow instructions, use supplied protective equipment and report hazards or incidents promptly. Contractors engaged for specialist tasks must meet our safety standards and demonstrate competence before commencing work.

Hazard identification and risk control

We maintain a proactive approach to identify and control hazards that are common to gardening operations. Key focus areas include:

• Manual handling: safe lifting techniques, mechanical aids and team lifts for heavy loads.
• Plant and equipment: guards, isolations, maintenance checks and safe operating procedures for mowers, chainsaws, trimmers and powered tools.
• Chemical safety: safe storage and handling of fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides, with clear labelling and appropriate PPE.
• Working at heights: controls for ladders, elevated platforms and tree work.
• Traffic and vehicle movement: vehicle checks, secure loads and safe site traffic management.

Risk controls follow the hierarchy: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls and personal protective equipment. We apply the highest practical control for each identified hazard and review control measures regularly.

Safe work procedures and equipment maintenance: Every task has a documented safe work method statement or job safety analysis. Equipment is inspected before use and scheduled maintenance is completed by qualified technicians. Workers must wear appropriate PPE such as eye protection, hearing protection, gloves, sturdy footwear and sun protection. Respiratory protection is used where airborne dust, sprays or fumes are present.

Emergency preparedness: We maintain first aid kits, trained first aiders and accessible emergency plans for each site. Incident response procedures include immediate hazard isolation, first aid, supervisor notification and incident reporting. All incidents, near misses and property damage are recorded, investigated and used to prevent recurrence through corrective actions.

Training and competence: New workers receive induction covering this policy, safe work practices and equipment operation. Ongoing training includes refresher sessions, toolbox talks and task-specific qualifications. Performance reviews include demonstration of safe behaviours and adherence to company procedures.

Contractor and visitor management: Contractors must provide evidence of safety policies, insurance and competence before work commences. Visiting clients and members of the public are informed of site hazards and kept clear of active work zones by signage and cordons. Children and pets are to be kept away from work areas for their safety.

Monitoring, review and continuous improvement: We conduct regular inspections and audits of sites, vehicles and equipment. Safety performance is measured by incident frequency, near-miss reporting rates and completion of corrective actions. Findings are reported to management and used to update procedures. This policy is reviewed at least annually or when significant changes to work processes occur to ensure it remains effective and relevant.

Record keeping and accountability: All training, maintenance, incident reports and risk assessments are retained to support safe operations and continuous learning. Supervisors are accountable for ensuring records are current and accessible. Workers are encouraged to participate in safety discussions and to propose improvements. Non-compliance with safety procedures may result in disciplinary action, with the aim of restoring safe practices rather than punishment.

Implementation: This policy is issued under the authority of the company's leadership and is supported by managers and supervisors across all sites. It is communicated to all new and existing staff and is available in plain language at team briefings. By working together, Gardening Services Victoria and its workforce will maintain a safe, healthy and productive environment for everyone involved in our gardening and landscaping operations.

Review schedule: The policy will be reviewed annually and following any serious incident, significant change in operations or when continuous improvement initiatives suggest revisions. Records of reviews and updates are maintained to ensure transparency and demonstrated commitment to workplace safety across all gardening services and horticultural activities.

Commitment: We are committed to the prevention of injury and ill health through practical controls, competent people and active engagement. This Health and Safety Policy guides our daily activities and long-term planning as a responsible provider of garden maintenance, landscaping and horticultural services in the region.