Driveway jet washing - Health and Safety Policy for Gardening Company Service Areas

This Health and Safety policy sets out safe working practices for driveway jet washing and related driveway pressure cleaning tasks carried out by our gardening company across its service area. The purpose is to protect staff, clients, members of the public and property while maintaining high standards for exterior cleaning and jetting services. This document applies to all operatives, contractors and supervisors involved in driveway jet wash operations and complements existing site-specific risk assessments and method statements.

The policy covers equipment selection, personal protective equipment (PPE), chemical handling, waste containment, noise and vibration controls, manual handling, and traffic and pedestrian management while performing driveway power washing. It is intended to be practical and proportionate for a garden maintenance business offering driveway and hard surface cleaning in residential and commercial settings without attempting to replicate regulatory guidance.

All operations shall be preceded by a documented risk assessment and a clear task brief. The assessment will identify hazards such as slip and trip risk on wet surfaces, high-pressure water injuries, airborne debris, contamination of drains or planted areas, and interaction with road users. Control measures include segregation of the work area, use of suitable nozzles and pressure settings, and supervision of inexperienced staff.

Responsibilities and Competence

Managers and supervisors are responsible for ensuring that operatives are competent for driveway jet cleaning tasks. This includes evidence of training in the use of pressure washers, awareness of safe operating pressures, and understanding of water and detergent containment. Operatives must report defects in equipment immediately and stop work if a situation creates unacceptable risk.

Employees must wear appropriate PPE: water-resistant boots with slip-resistant soles, eye protection, gloves rated for chemical and mechanical resistance, hearing protection when required, and hi-vis clothing when working near traffic. Disposable or reusable protective clothing should be chosen to prevent contamination of personal clothing and to avoid transferring invasive weeds or pollutants between sites.

Training records, competency checks and periodic refresher sessions will be maintained. Supervised on-the-job instruction is mandatory for new staff. The company will provide instruction on safe use of ancillary tools such as surface cleaners, extension lances, hot water units (if used), and any associated lifting or wheeled equipment.

Safe Systems of Work and Controls

Before starting work confirm the presence of underground services and avoid directing jets at fragile surfaces, plants, glazing, or electrical equipment. Use the lowest effective pressure and correct nozzle types for each surface: soft wash settings for delicate concrete and higher flow, lower-pressure rotary tools for robust surfaces when required. Avoid over-cleaning which can damage paving or remove protective surface aggregates.

Set out exclusion zones with cones, barriers and signage to protect the public and manage vehicle movements. Where driveway jet washing occurs adjacent to public highways, adopt traffic management measures suitable for the location: a banksman for vehicle movement and clearly marked pedestrian diversions where appropriate.

Chemicals must be used only if necessary, and selection should prefer biodegradable, low-toxicity detergents. Operators must follow manufacturer dilution instructions and store chemical concentrates securely. Spillage kits and containment measures must be ready on-site to prevent run-off into drains, planted areas or watercourses. All chemical use and disposal must follow company procedures to minimise environmental impact.

Manual handling and ergonomics: use mechanical aids for moving heavy equipment and keep hoses and cables coiled to reduce trip risk. Regular breaks and job rotation should be used to reduce repetitive strain. In wet conditions monitor for hypothermia; provide suitable warm clothing and hot drinks for staff during prolonged cold-weather work.

Equipment maintenance is critical: daily checks of hoses, fittings, lance integrity, nozzle condition and pressure gauges will be recorded. Faulty items must be tagged out and removed from service until repaired. Fuel and hot-water systems (if used) must be handled in accordance with safe refuelling procedures and fire risk mitigations.

Emergency procedures: operatives must know the location of first-aid kits and eyewash stations, and how to summon emergency services. For high-pressure injection injuries seek urgent medical attention; do not delay. Incident reporting will follow company incident management processes, and near-miss information will be used to update risk assessments and training.

Environmental and waste controls: collect and dispose of rinse water and debris responsibly. Use mobile containment systems or absorbent materials where sewer discharge is inappropriate. Remove solid waste such as oil-soaked materials and swept sediment into appropriate containers and arrange disposal at authorised facilities.

Monitoring and review: safety performance will be monitored via site inspections, toolbox talks, and record reviews. The policy will be reviewed annually or after significant incidents, changes in equipment, or regulatory updates. Continuous improvement and staff involvement in safety discussions are encouraged.

This policy supports a consistent, safe approach to driveway jet washing and driveway cleaning services delivered by our gardening company across the service area. It is intended to be practical, protective and easy to follow, balancing operational efficiency with the wellbeing of people and the environment.

Key controls summary:

• Plan and assess every job with a documented risk assessment.
• Train and supervise staff; maintain competence records.
• Use appropriate PPE and lowest effective pressures and detergents.
• Contain and manage water, waste and chemical use to protect drains and planted areas.
• Maintain equipment, report defects, and preserve incident records for improvement.