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If you are going to do it properly and you want to be covered against law suits, everyone has to have a manual and they have to read and understand the main points. You also need to deliver 'tool box talks' on a regular basis to update and introduce new subjects. Many people laugh at the idea and think it is Political Correctness, but this stuff is now a serious subject and here to stay.
You need to break it down into tasks. This part is helped if you have people certified for various bits of kit: disc cutters, chainsaws etc. You have to make sure they are familiar with hand tools and machinery and the safe operation, manual handling, and even protection from the sun.
Getting your team members through CSCS H&S certificate and relevant ticket makes life easier as most things are covered. I believe ROLO is very similar.
Have you tried Googling this and then cut and pasting?
Hi Mark
Have a look at Landscapejuicelegal.com...there may be documents there you can modify (legally) to suit your needs.
Re: H&S, current law dictates (I hope I'm still current) that a business with less than 5 employees does not need a written H&S Policy but all business should have at least a verbal H&S Policy.
To me, good business practices would dictate everybody has a written H&S Policy, it should be issued to each employee with a page to counter-sign to state employee has read it. It should be reviewed on a regular basis to take account of changing legislation (ie every 6-12 months) and re-issused.
Again, good business practices, would suggest it includes your risk assessments and/or work methods.
This can they be presented / given to your commercial clients with your quote or shown to your residential clients to help prove you are a professional contractor.
If you implement 'Toobox' talks they should be relevant to the business needs and no more than 15-20 minutes in lenght. This should be either recorded in a 'Works' diary, or better have each employee counter-sign the notes.
By adopting this approach you start to indicate you are a resposnible employer in the eyes of the HSE should an incident occur and they come looking at your procedures.
Again, there will be some that poo-poo all this, but when you are dealing with your/employee safety YOU CAN NOT take enough care.
Template H&S manuals are readily available - you just fill in the blanks - here is one such source:
http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/health-and-safety...
http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/categories/downloadable-...
Alternatively, go trawl HSE website.....
Lastly, template Risk Assessments should be used cautiously - by the very nature they are UNIQUE to your job/role/staff/site/conditions. You should tailor to your needs.
All of the above becomes mandatory when you employ >5 and/or when you go for comemercial work and/or you want any Accreditations and/or to join any Associations (I hope..!)
p.s. If you really don't want to do this the only other avenue open (and stay legal & professional) to sub contract to one of the may H&S specialist business that will review your needs and create all your documentation. Its costs of course, but it is done and watertight.
'You pays your money and yous takes your choices' ;-)
thank you guys for your time and help much appreciated