Health and Safety Policy for Grass Cutting and Grounds Maintenance

Purpose: This policy sets out the approach for safe grass cutting, lawn mowing and turf maintenance activities across all sites where cutting of vegetation takes place. It outlines responsibilities, safe working procedures, personal protective equipment and risk control measures designed to prevent injury, protect public safety and maintain a safe working environment for operatives and bystanders.

Scope: This statement applies to all staff and contractors involved in grass maintenance, including but not limited to mowing, edging, strimming, and the use of powered and hand tools. The policy covers routine grass cutting, seasonal works and occasional grounds cutting tasks undertaken on verges, parks, commercial grounds and residential estates.

Principles: Work will be planned to reduce hazards, risks will be assessed and control measures implemented. Training, supervision and provision of safe equipment will be central to our approach. Operators must follow safe systems of work and report hazards so that continuous improvement in grass cutting safety and grass maintenance practices can be achieved.

Managers will ensure that appropriate risk assessments are carried out for each grass cutting activity and that resources are available to implement identified controls. Managers are responsible for ensuring all staff receive adequate training and that vehicle and machinery maintenance schedules are observed.

Supervisors and team leaders are expected to allocate tasks according to competence, confirm that machinery safety devices are functional, and provide direction on safe route planning, public segregation and emergency procedures.

Employees and operatives must follow instructions, use personal protective equipment (PPE) correctly and stop work if unsafe conditions arise. They must report incidents and near misses and participate in toolbox talks and refresher training related to grounds cutting and turf operations.

Before commencing any grass cutting or lawn mowing activity a dynamic risk assessment should be completed. Key factors to consider include terrain, slope, hidden obstacles, drainage covers, pedestrian access, wildlife presence and weather conditions. A written assessment should be prepared for higher risk tasks.

Controls include segregation of work areas from the public using barriers or signage, communicating scheduled works to stakeholders where appropriate, and using spotting personnel for restricted visibility. Machines should be fitted with guards, kill switches and appropriate shielding to reduce the risk of thrown objects.

Safe use of powered cutters and strimmers requires correct attachment and adjustment of cutting heads, use of anti-vibration handles where possible and implementation of no-go zones for the public and pets. Regular inspections of blades and cutting lines are mandatory to prevent failures or breakages.

Personal Protective Equipment: Operatives must wear suitable PPE including hearing protection, eye protection, sturdy boots, gloves and high-visibility clothing when working near public thoroughfares. Additional protection such as cut-resistant clothing is recommended when using high-risk equipment.

Training and competency: Only trained and competent persons should operate mowers, ride-on machines, brushcutters and other powered equipment. Training should cover machine operation, hazard recognition, maintenance checks and emergency shutdown procedures. Records of training and competency assessments should be maintained.

Maintenance and inspection: A pre-use checklist must be completed for all powered equipment. Scheduled maintenance will be performed by competent personnel. Defects must be reported and equipment taken out of service until repaired. Fueling and refueling procedures should be carried out away from ignition sources and with engines stopped.

Operational controls and working methods: Work should be sequenced to minimize interactions between vehicles, pedestrians and workers. Where possible, use quieter, lower-emission machinery for sensitive areas. When working on slopes, follow manufacturer guidance and avoid reversing on steep gradients.

Emergency arrangements: First aid provision must be available, with trained first aiders accessible during operations. Emergency procedures for serious injuries, machine entrapment or major incidents must be understood by all staff. Evacuation and rendezvous points should be identified for each site.

Monitoring and review: This policy will be reviewed periodically and following significant incidents. Routine supervision, audits and safety inspections will ensure compliance. Continuous improvement will be sought by incorporating feedback from operatives and lessons learned from events and near misses.

Additional measures: Where appropriate, noise assessments, manual handling evaluations and measures to protect site biodiversity during grass cutting are to be integrated into planning. Consider alternatives such as phased cutting schedules to protect nesting wildlife and support sustainable turf maintenance.

Record keeping and reporting: Accidents, incidents and near misses are to be recorded and reviewed to identify preventive actions. Maintenance logs, inspection checklists and training records must be retained to demonstrate compliance and support continual improvement in grass cutting safety practice.

Conclusion: By adopting these health and safety arrangements for grass maintenance, lawn mowing and turf care operations we commit to reducing harm, protecting the public and promoting a culture of safety. All personnel are required to cooperate fully with the policy, follow safe working procedures and contribute to the safe delivery of grass cutting services.