Health & Safety


Regulations

The following section highlights some of the regulations that we are bound to abide.

Work at Height Regulations (2005).

As Grounds Maintenance specialists we are often required to climb ladders or trees – therefore we comply with the Work at Height Regulations 2005. These require employers, self-employed individuals and anyone responsible for supervising the work of others to ensure that work at height is properly planned and organised; that those involved are suitably competent, that risks are properly assessed and that equipment used for the work is properly inspected and maintained. By complying with these regulations, we are safeguarding the health of employees, sub-contractors and you, are valued customer

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at Work Regulations.

Whenever there are risks to health and safety in the workplace that cannot be adequately controlled in other ways, the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at Work Regulations require KOS to provide employees with PPE. All are operatives are equipped with gloves, goggles, chain-saw trousers and work boots to prevent accidents with machinery – this guarantees no project time will be lost through accidents or injuries – all ways good!

Disposal of Trade Waste

Under the Environmental Protection Act (1990) Kings Of Shrubbery have a duty of care to ensure that any trade waste we generate is properly and safely disposed of or removed by a licensed waste carrier. If one of our operatives intends to transport waste to a registered trade waste disposal site, it’s guaranteed we have a waste carrier licence and an environmental permit. You can check up on us online at the following address:
www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/sectors/­wastecarriers.aspx.

Health & Safety Accreditation: The Construction Skill Certification Scheme.

In order to make it possible for construction companies to enlist our grounds maintenance services, we have become CSCS registered.

The CSCS was set-up to provide a higher level of accreditation for skilled/competent workers in the construction industry. The ultimate goal being to lower construction related injuries/fatalities.

It’s now fairly common to get refused access onto a construction site if you do not have a CSCS card or sufficient privileges. As environmental operatives, we are fully accredited to work on construction sites.

Public Safety Methods

Here at Kings Of Shrubbery, we use a vast range of equipment to protect the client and the public! Some of the equipment we use includes:

  • Road Cones
  • Safety Chords
  • Warning Cones
  • Health & Safety Kits
And naturally all are operatives have everything they need to remain safe at all times.

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH).

Kings Of Shrubbery also have a duty to ensure the safe handling of substances that are deemed hazardous (e.g. fertilisers and pesticides). This duty is performed in accordance with The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) – and indeed this duty of care extends to sub-contractors, the public and the customer. Our grounds maintenance operatives are responsible for using, storing and disposing of pesticides correctly. Typical pesticides used may include weed killers, lawn treatments, slug pellets, animal repellents, insecticides and fungicides. Pesticides must have been authorised for use in the UK. Gardeners who use or store un-authorised pesticides could face prosecution. Some pesticides are authorised for professional use only, in which case gardeners must have had appropriate training. Pesticide authorisation can be checked via the database maintained by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) at https://secure.pesticides.gov.uk/garden/­prodsearch.asp.

Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER).

Under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) our Tree Surgeons are have become fully qualified and competent in using a chainsaw. The industry standard for Chainsaw and Related Operations is known as the ‘Level 2 Diploma in Chainsaw and Related Operations’, which is accredited by City & Guilds. The completion of this diploma covers the essential topics required for the NPTC certification, including chainsaw maintenance, cross-cutting and stacking, felling, climbing and using a chainsaw from a rope and harness. This high level of competence reflects in safety for employees, the public and the client.

Insurance

Kings of Shrubbery have the following insurance policies in place:

  • Public liability insurance: PL insurance is a policy which covers our business against claims from customers, suppliers and members of the public injured or adversely affected as a result of it’s activities.
  • Commercial Vehicle Cover: This is a policy which covers the use of any vehicle used for business purposes. Ours is fully comprehensive.
  • Goods in Transit: This is a policy which covers equipment that is transported using a works vehicle (theft/malfunction/damage). Although Goods in Transit is not legally enforceable, it’s essential as the business would not be able to function without equipment. This is particularly relevant if you are a hire purchase company we are dealing with.

Risk Assessments

Whenever we feel there is a significant risk posed to our operatives, the client or the public we will complete a full Risk Assessment prior to the commencement of works. This is done at no extra cost.