Health & Safety Policy for Driveway Restoration and Driveway Repair Services

This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles and procedures for safe delivery of driveway restoration, driveway resurfacing and related driveway renovation work carried out by a gardening company across its service area. The purpose is to protect staff, clients, visitors and the public by defining responsibilities, risk controls and safe working standards when restoring or repairing driveways and associated external hardscapes.

The policy applies to all employees, sub-contractors and visitors engaged in driveway restoration services, driveway repair projects and maintenance tasks carried out in private gardens, communal areas and commercial landscapes. Management will provide leadership and resources; operatives must follow safe systems of work. Everyone must cooperate to maintain a safe working environment and report hazards promptly.

Risk assessment is the cornerstone of safe driveway restoration activities. Before any drive resurfacing or stone laying, a documented site inspection will identify hazards such as uneven ground, buried services, adjacent pedestrian routes, vehicle access and environmental risks. Controls will be proportionate to the risk and kept under review throughout the job.

Site Preparation, Traffic and Public Safety

Site setup must ensure clear segregation between the work area and public or customer access. Temporary barriers, cones and signage should be used where required, and vehicles must be parked to avoid obstruction. When driveway repair requires machinery or delivery vehicles, traffic management plans will prevent collisions and protect pedestrians in the gardening company service area.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) will be provided and enforced. Typical PPE includes high-visibility clothing, safety boots, gloves, eye protection and dust masks when cutting, grinding or handling dusty materials. Employees will check PPE before use and report defects immediately.

Controls used for safe driveway restoration work include:

• Pre-work briefings and method statements for complex drive resurfacing activities
• Use of appropriate tools and maintenance checks for compactors, cutters and mixers
• Safe manual handling techniques and mechanical aids for heavy kerbs and pavers
• Environmental controls to prevent run-off into drains and protect planting areas

Training, Competence and Supervision

All operatives involved in driveway renovation, paving, tarmac or resin bound surfacing will receive training relevant to their duties. Training covers task competence, equipment operation, hazardous materials awareness and emergency procedures. Supervisors must assess competence and provide ongoing coaching to maintain safe performance standards in every project across the service area.

Contractors and temporary staff will be vetted for competence and inducted to site-specific risks before starting work. Competence assessments and refresher training will be recorded to ensure a consistent standard of safety across all driveway restoration work.

Supervision levels will be matched to the complexity of the task; higher risk activities such as deep excavation, machine operation or working adjacent to live traffic require increased oversight and a documented safe system of work.

Equipment and plant safety is essential for safe driveway repair and paving. All tools, handheld equipment and machinery will be maintained in good condition and inspected regularly. Isolation and lock-off procedures will be used for powered equipment. Fuel, lubricants and electrical supplies are stored safely, and electrical leads are routed to avoid tripping hazards during driveway restoration tasks.

Materials used in driveway resurfacing, such as binders, sealants and adhesives, will be handled in accordance with supplier guidance. COSHH-style precautions will be observed for potentially hazardous substances: correct containment, ventilation, PPE and first-aid measures. Dust control measures such as wet cutting or local extraction will be used to reduce airborne particles.

Environmental protection is integrated into operations to prevent pollution and protect planting and drainage. Waste is segregated and disposed of responsibly, excess materials are stored to avoid contamination and drainage routes are protected during works to reduce silt and chemical run-off.

Emergency preparedness covers first aid, spill response, fire safety and swift evacuation. First aid kits and trained first aiders will be available on site. Clear procedures for reporting and responding to incidents are in place and communicated to all personnel engaged in driveway renovation projects.

Incident reporting and record-keeping support learning and continuous improvement. All accidents, near misses and unsafe conditions will be reported without delay, investigated to identify root causes and corrective actions implemented. Records of assessments, training, inspections and incidents are retained to demonstrate compliance with this policy and to inform future planning.

Review and continual improvement underpin the policy. Management commits to periodic review of procedures, incorporation of lessons learned and updates to safe working practices as techniques or materials evolve. This Health and Safety Policy for driveway restoration and driveway repair services is communicated to staff and reviewed at regular intervals to ensure it remains effective and relevant across the gardening company service area.