Safe Work Method Statement

Effective Date: 5th March 2024
Last Updated: 20th August 2025

R1 Lawn and Garden completes routine lawn mowing, edging, hedge trimming, leaf blowing, green-waste handling and occasional spot herbicide work at a variety of client sites across South-East Queensland. The aim of this statement is to describe how the work is planned and carried out so that workers, clients and members of the public are protected from harm, property and the environment are safeguarded, and legal obligations are met. Everyone involved understands that if conditions change or something does not feel safe, the work pauses and the situation is reassessed before continuing.

Introduction and purpose

This method remains a living document that is adjusted when equipment, laws or the practical realities of a site evolve, and it prioritises simple controls that reliably reduce risk.

Before any job begins the supervisor confirms the scope with the client and checks any site rules that might affect how and when tasks are done. Typical examples include quiet hours near residents, restrictions around fuel dispensers, rules for visitors at schools, and shopping-centre access windows before trading. Weather is checked for heat, storms or wind that could increase risk.

Pre-start planning and client coordination

The team performs a short pre-start discussion on arrival to share site information, allocate roles, review hazards and agree on the controls to be used, including how the public will be kept out of the work area, where vehicles will be parked to protect the crew without blocking emergency access, and what to do if someone is injured or equipment fails.

Personal protective clothing is worn that suits the task and conditions. Workers use sturdy footwear with a grip, long trousers and a high-visibility top so they can be seen easily. Eye and hearing protection are used whenever powered equipment runs; gloves are chosen for the job in hand, whether general work, trimming or chemical handling. Sun exposure is managed with a brimmed hat, sunscreen and hydration, and a respirator is used when dust or fine spray could be breathed in.

Personal protective equipment and readiness

The crew’s tools are kept in good order, guards and kill switches remain fitted, fuel is transported and stored in approved containers, and any defective plant is tagged out until repaired.

On arrival the crew walks the grounds to understand the layout and clear obvious hazards. Glass, rocks, sticks, dog droppings and other debris are removed; irrigation heads and covers are noted so they are not struck by blades or trimmer line. If needles or sharps are found they are lifted using tongs and placed into a secure container for disposal.

Initial site walk and hazard removal

Paths the public are likely to use are identified so that safe routing can be planned, and the work area can be set up to keep people clear of operating equipment from the first machine start to the final clean-up.

Where vehicles or pedestrians could move close to the work area, the crew establishes a temporary exclusion zone before machines start. This is done by placing high-visibility cones in a way that gently directs approaching people around the job and tying in portable “work in progress” signs at the approaches; where helpful, barrier tape is run between cones to discourage shortcuts. Cones are set with closer spacing on corners or where sight lines are short, a generous buffer is left inside the perimeter, and the layout is adjusted as the job progresses so the protection stays in front of the work.

Temporary exclusion zones and traffic cones

In car parks, loading docks and service roads the cones create an approach taper, a clearly defined work box and a short exit taper so drivers naturally steer away from the team even at low speed; where visibility is poor or foot traffic is heavy a crew member stands at the likely entry point and politely redirects people while operators pause. Cones and signs are checked periodically and reset if wind or passing traffic moves them.

Once the area is controlled the mowing pattern is chosen to suit the ground and the species. The cutting height is adjusted and blades are checked for tightness and sharpness so the machine does not tear turf. The operator looks ahead for stones that could be thrown and keeps the discharge of clippings facing away from windows, cars and people.

Mowing methods and discharge control

On slopes the line of travel is chosen to prevent slips and loss of control, and if the surface becomes too wet or unstable the job is stopped until conditions improve; when a chute or deck blocks, the machine is shut down and rendered safe before the obstruction is removed.

Trimming along edges is done with the head angled so debris is driven downwards into the grass rather than outwards. Extra space is kept near hard kerbs, bollards and fence lines where small fragments can ricochet, and a face shield is used when conditions warrant it. The public remains outside the cone line and the operator pauses if anyone approaches the perimeter.

Edge trimming and projectile reduction

Line length and speed are kept appropriate to reduce projectiles and limit noise, while hand positions and stance are managed to prevent strain and maintain control around obstacles.

Hedge trimming is planned so that any falling material lands in a defined drop zone that is also marked out with cones and tape. Ladders or platforms are placed on firm ground and either footed by another worker or secured so they cannot slip. The operator keeps two hands on the tool, stops the blades before removing jammed material and stacks cuttings where they will not create tripping hazards.

Hedge work, drop zones and access

Overhead work is limited and performed only when conditions are stable and the public cannot enter beneath; if wind rises or spectators gather, trimming is paused and the exclusion is widened.

Blowing is done to gather clippings for disposal and to leave paths tidy. Dust is kept down by using low throttle where possible or by lightly damping an area before work. The operator avoids blowing into drains or out onto the road and waits for pedestrians to pass at the outside of the coned area before resuming.

Leaf blowing, tidiness and slips

Green waste is bagged or moved to the client’s nominated collection point, and smooth paving is checked for wet grass that could cause slips; temporary caution signage is used until the surface is cleared and dry.

Fuel is handled away from ignition sources in a ventilated place. Engines are shut off and cooled before re-fuelling, and spills are absorbed and removed with a spill kit; containers are approved for fuel transport and secured during travel.

Fuel handling, re-fuelling and spill response

If a spill occurs, the affected area is contained, absorbent is collected for appropriate disposal and work is paused until the surface is safe again, with the incident recorded for continuous improvement.

If chemicals are used, it is usually a limited spot-spray of herbicide to control weeds. Only labelled products are carried, the safety data sheet is available, and the label directions are followed. Mixing is carried out in a calm corner of the site inside the same protected area created for the mechanical work so the public cannot wander through, and only the amount needed for that visit is prepared.

Chemical use for spot spraying

Drift is controlled by choosing appropriate nozzles and low pressure and by not spraying when the wind is up; temporary signs are placed to tell people an area has been treated and the cones stay in place until the surface is dry or the re-entry time on the label has passed. Records are kept of what was used, where and when, and under what weather conditions.

At aged-care facilities residents may move slowly or unexpectedly, so the work is scheduled for times when fewer people are outside. Quieter battery equipment is preferred and the coned buffer is widened around pathways and entrances. Operators shut down as residents approach and restart only when the path is clear.

Site patterns at aged-care facilities

Access rules are followed, indoor entry is kept to a minimum, and pathways are left free from hoses, cords and stacked waste so mobility devices and staff can move safely at all times.

At schools the team works outside drop-off, pick-up and recess times wherever possible and signs in at reception before starting. Students are kept well away from equipment by using large exclusion zones, closing approaches with cones and tape and positioning a worker where children might appear suddenly.

Site patterns at schools

Tools, fuel and chemicals are never left unattended; the crew maintains professional conduct at all times and pauses machinery if groups gather close to the barrier line.

At service stations the team consults the site manager, avoids hot work or re-fuelling in hazardous areas around pump islands and vents, and generally prefers sweeping or damp methods over blowers near fuel sources. Vehicle movement across the forecourt is directed using a short taper and a clear work box with cones so drivers can see what to do at a glance.

Site patterns at service stations

Engines are kept off when close to bowsers, any spill is reported and managed according to site procedure, and the crew remains alert to reversing vehicles and tight turning circles.

Shopping centres are usually serviced early in the morning. Loading docks and internal roads are shaped with cones to separate pedestrians from vehicles and to protect glass shopfronts from thrown debris.

Site patterns at shopping centres

The crew pays attention to slips on smooth tiles, keeps noise to acceptable levels and checks in with centre management as they move between areas; any temporary path closure is clearly indicated and reopened as soon as the surface is clean and dry.

In public parks and playgrounds the team performs a thorough sweep for sharps, glass and dog waste, sets wide buffers around play equipment and pauses work when children or dogs enter the area. Special care is taken to keep clippings and chemicals away from waterways and to avoid disturbing wildlife.

Site patterns at public parks and playgrounds

Work is stopped if birds are nesting or animals are at risk, informal spectators are given space, and tasks resume only when the zone is clear and the buffer remains effective.

The health of the workers is managed just as carefully as the public’s. Heat and sun are common risks, so the day is structured with early starts in hot weather, regular drinks, shaded breaks and sunscreen reapplication. Vibration exposure from hand-held tools is controlled by keeping equipment sharp and balanced, switching tasks between team members and avoiding long continuous runs.

Worker health, heat and vibration

Heavy lifting is reduced by using mechanical aids, breaking loads into smaller bundles and team lifting when needed; if anyone feels unwell, dizzy or experiences tingling in fingers, the task stops and first aid is sought.

Communication is simple but reliable. A charged phone stays with the crew and the exact site location is known so emergency services can be directed in quickly if required. A basic plan exists for contacting the supervisor at agreed times when someone is working alone.

Communication and emergency readiness

First-aid and fire-fighting equipment are carried, everyone knows how to call for help and guide responders to the right gate or entry, and incidents or near misses are recorded and discussed so controls can be improved.

Noise is managed by using the quietest equipment suitable for the job, keeping revs as low as practicable and working within permitted hours. If people raise a concern, the operator pauses, listens and adjusts the plan where reasonable.

Noise control and community relations

Any complaint or incident is recorded and discussed with the client so improvements can be made and expectations remain clear; schedules are tuned to sensitive neighbours where feasible.

Environmental protection runs through the work. Clippings are collected from hard surfaces, drains are protected, and green waste is taken to authorised facilities. Fuel and chemical spills are contained and disposed of properly, and no material is allowed to enter creeks or stormwater.

Environmental care and waste handling

Habitat trees and garden beds that support native species are preserved, and the crew remains alert to seasonal conditions that may change what is appropriate to do on the day, especially after heavy rain or during high fire danger.

At the end of each job the equipment is shut down and allowed to cool, the area is checked for leftover tools and debris, and temporary controls are removed in a way that does not expose the public to sudden risk. Cones and tape are collected only when the ground is clean and safe and the access routes are clear.

Pack-down, removal of controls and handover

Any damage, near miss or unusual hazard is reported to the client contact and noted for improvement; records are kept of equipment maintenance, inductions, pre-start discussions, chemical usage and any incidents, and this method statement is reviewed regularly and updated when there is a change in equipment, work process or legal requirement.

By planning the work carefully, separating the public from powered equipment with simple, well-placed cones and signs, maintaining plant, wearing appropriate protection and staying attentive to each location’s character—whether that is residents in care, children in playgrounds, shoppers and vehicles, or the fuel and traffic hazards of a service station—R1 Lawn and Garden keeps the residual risk of routine grounds maintenance low and manageable.

Conclusion and commitment to safe practice

The team remains ready to adapt, because the safest method is the one that responds to the real conditions in front of them on the day and continuously improves through feedback and experience.