Health and Safety Policy for Jet Wash and Pressure Cleaning Services

This Health and Safety Policy outlines the approach our gardening service takes when providing jet wash, jet-wash and pressure cleaning work. It sets out the principles for planning, risk assessment and control measures to protect staff, clients, contractors and the public. The document applies across our service area and is intended to be pragmatic and proportionate for outdoor and horticultural settings where power wash activities are combined with garden maintenance and surface restoration.

Our policy emphasises that safety is a shared responsibility. Managers will ensure resources and supervision, operatives will follow safe systems of work and clients will be informed of foreseeable risks before work begins. We promote the use of appropriate PPE, effective equipment maintenance and documented procedures for each type of pressure washing task. Records of training, inspections and incident reports are retained and reviewed to drive continuous improvement.

Risk assessment is central to every jetwashing job. Before any pressure wash or power wash activity starts we identify hazards such as slip risks, trip hazards, electrical sources, fragile surfaces and sensitive planting. Assessments define control measures including isolation of utilities, use of residual-current devices, exclusion zones and selection of nozzles and pressures that reduce surface damage. Controls are matched to the environment — from paved drives and decking to stonework and garden ornaments — to balance cleaning effectiveness with asset protection.

All staff involved in the provision of jet wash and power wash services must be competent and supervised until assessed as safe to work unsupervised. Control measures include regular equipment checks, safe chemical handling where detergents are required, clear signage to protect passersby and traffic management where vehicles are present. The work planning stage considers weather conditions and seasonal factors that affect surface integrity and vegetation, ensuring cleaning does not harm planted areas or wildlife habitats.

Operational standards require that only approved cleaning agents are used and that dilution, storage and disposal follow manufacturer's guidance and environmental best practice. Wastewater is contained or diverted where possible and prevented from entering sensitive drains or watercourses. Where containment is impractical, operatives use biodegradable solutions and minimize runoff by staging work and using absorbent materials to capture residues. These measures reflect our commitment to responsible gardening and landscaping cleaning services.

Before mobilisation, an on-site briefing is provided covering the planned sequence, emergency arrangements and responsibilities. Important tasks are captured in written safe work plans or checklists and are supported by regular toolbox talks. Equipment such as hoses, reels and trailing leads are laid out to avoid trip routes, and site-specific access assessments are recorded to ensure the safety of operatives and the public.

Managers and supervisors are responsible for implementing this policy, ensuring risk assessments are completed and that suitable training is provided. Training covers safe operation of the jet wash unit, maintenance routines, chemical safety, manual handling and the selection and fitting of protective clothing. Competency is confirmed through observation and periodic reassessment. Operatives must report defects immediately and not use faulty equipment.

Controls are reinforced through regular inspections and a simple reporting system for hazards and near-misses. The policy encourages a culture where safety concerns are raised without fear of reprisal. Key elements of the monitoring regime include planned maintenance logs for pressure washers, verification of PPE condition, and checks that containment measures for wastewater are functioning as intended.

Core responsibilities are summarised as follows:

• Management: ensure adequate resources, training and monitoring;
• Supervisors: plan, brief and check competence on site;
• Operatives: follow instructions, use PPE and report hazards;
• All staff: contribute to a safe workplace through vigilance and cooperation.

This health and safety policy for jetwash and pressure cleaning services will be reviewed periodically to reflect operational changes, new equipment or improved industry practice. Continuous improvement is encouraged through lessons learned, performance reviews and adapting controls to the diverse environments encountered in garden and landscape maintenance work.