This 7-page document provides a method statement for grounds maintenance work. It includes: 1. Contact details and general safety precautions to be followed by all staff, such as communication procedures and first aid requirements. 2. Specific safety procedures for tasks like manual handling, use of personal protective equipment, preparation and induction of staff, and management of tools and electrical equipment. 3. A description of the digging out process for excavations, including use of cofferdams and leaving sections in situ for support. 4. A sign-off sheet for all staff to acknowledge they have read and understood the method statement and safety procedures before beginning work.

1. Page 1 of 7
Method Statement
MethodStatement Details
MethodStatement No.
MethodStatement Date
MethodStatement Author
Description GroundsMaintenance
Signatures
Name Title Signature Date
Document Author
Data ProtectionStatement
The informationanddataprovidedhereinappliesonlytothe contract forwhichit waswritten,it
shall notbe duplicated,disclosedordisseminatedbythe recipientinwholeorinpart for any
purpose whatsoeverwithoutthe priorwrittenpermissionfrom INSERTYOUR COMPANYNAME
HERE.
It isthe dutyof all employeestoobservethe followingMethodStatementframedtoprovide acode
of goodpractice and conductwiththe objectof preventingaccidents.Atall timesemployeesmust
workin a safe mannerboth to preventpersonal injurytothemselvesortootherpersonnel.
EmergencyContact Details
Name
Telephone No.
INSERT YOUR
BUSINESS
ADDRESS HERE
INSERT YOUR LOGO HERE

2. Page 2 of 7
General Precautions
To be observedby all staffat all times,any deviationfrom these control proceduresmust be
authorisedby the managementor safetyrepresentative.
Communicationwith Other Workerson Site.
All staff will reporttothe site office forinductiononarrival atthe site.The site managerwill inform
staff of any hazards that are presentonsite.Staff will informthe site managerof the workto be
carriedout and howitcould affectothertradesworkingonthe site.Where necessarynoticeswillbe
postedadvisingof anyhazardspresentduringthe works.Where contractoractivitiescross,the
seniorpersonmustliaise withthe othertradestoensure safe operation.
First Aid
It isthe responsibilityof the companytoensure adequate FirstAidprovisionforitsstaff.Adequate
meansprovisionof atrainedfirstaider,suitablefirstaidequipmentand/orthe provisionof an
appointedpersonatthe minimum.A trainedFirstAiderwill be asuitable personwhohasattended
an HSE approvedcourse of at leastthree daysduration.AnAppointedPersonisapersonprovided
by the employertotake charge of the situation(e.g.tocall anambulance) if aseriousinjury/illness
occurs inthe absence of a FirstAider.The AppointedPersoncanrenderemergencyFirstAidif
trainedtodo so. All staff wheninductedwill be made aware of the locationof the FirstAidkit.
Manual Handling
All staff andcontractors have beeninstructedonthe potential dangersof manual handling,andhave
receivedmanual handlingtraining.Equipmentprovidedtoreduce manual handlingmustbe used
where provided.Staffandcontractorswill notliftitemsof toolsorequipmentthatare beyondtheir
capabilities.Heavyorawkwarditemswillbe splitintosmallerunitswhere possibleordual lifted
where thisisnotpossible.Itisthe responsibilityof the site foreman/employertoidentifyand
control manual handlingactivitiesastheyoccuron site ona dayto day basis.
Material Handling
All materialsrequiredforsite willbe unloadedtoa designatedunloadingandstorage areawhichwill
be away fromthe work area as far as ispracticable.Thisareawill be kepttidytominimise trip
hazards.Materialsas and whenrequiredwill be collectedfromthe storage areaandtransferredto
the work area.All staff will take care whenhandlingmaterialsandwill use mechanical aidswherever
possible.Whenstackingmaterialsparticularcare mustbe takento ensure thatthe stack is secure
and that the productdoesnot getdamaged.
Personal Protective Equipment(PPE)
PPE will be providedasa lastform of protectionagainsta hazard.Staff will use the appropriate PPE
for the task as identifiedinthe riskassessment.All siteworkerswill wearSafetyboots,Hi Visibility
Vests,HardHats and protective clothingatall times,otheritemsof PPEsuchas eye protection,
hearingprotectionandglovesare availabletobe wornas and whennecessaryandasdeterminedby
the riskassessment.

3. Page 3 of 7
Preparation & Induction
A riskassessmentwill be carriedoutforall taskswhichwill be discussedwithmembersof staff and
the sub-contractors,anyqueriesorconcernswill be raisedwiththe contractmanagerwhowill
ensure itisdealtwith.Staff andsub-contractorswill be inductedontosite inordertounderstand
the hazards presentonsite andthe tasks that are to take place.Staff will alsobe advisedof other
site activitiesthatcould impactontheirworkand be made aware of anyliaisonthatneedstotake
place betweendifferenttrades.Staff willfollow all site rulesandsafetyprocedures.
Staff and Training
The task will be carriedoutby staff from INSERT YOURCOMPANYNAME HERE, all staff are
qualified,experienced,receive on-goingtraining,andholdsuitable qualifications.Apprenticesare
underconstantsupervisionbyexperiencedmembersof staff.Anysub-contractorsappointedbyus
have beenassessedfortheirabilityandsuitabilitytocarry outthe tasksallocatedtothem.
Tools and Electrical Equipment
All toolsandequipmentwill be visuallyinspectedonaregularbasis,defective ordamaged
equipmentwill be removedfromservice.Electrical toolswill be 110V or batteryoperatedwhere
possible.Sub-contractorswill notbe allowedtobringonto site anydamagedor defective tools,the
site foremanisresponsible forensuringthatall toolsandequipmentallowedonthe site are fitfor
purpose.Anyportable electrical equipmenttakenontosite mustbe PATtestedevery3 months
whenusedonconstructionsites,6monthlyforheavyuse activitiesandannuallyforotheractivities.
A riskassessmentwill determine if inspectionperiodsneedtobe varied.
Welfare
The principle contractorisresponsibleforprovidingadequatewashing,toilet,dryingand
refreshmentfacilitiesforstaff andsub-contractors,staff andcontractorsare responsible for
ensuringthatsuchwelfare facilitiesare maintainedinacleanand wholesome manner. Thiswill be
your responsibilitywhenyouare the principle contractor,itmaybe necessaryoccasionallyforyour
companyto identifysuitablelocal amenities.
Contractor and VisitorSafety
INSERT YOURCOMPANYNAME HERE will liaisewithothercontractor’s staff ona day today basis
and ensure theyare aware of the riskspresentduringthe works.Staff andcontractorswill notleave
any areaof workin a dangerousconditionorwithriskstothemselves,othercontractors,tenants,or
visitors,all toolsand equipmentwill be clearedtosecure storage atthe completionof eachshift.
Heavyplant,scaffold,laddersandanyotheraccessto heightwill be made inaccessible.
Site Access and Egress
The principle contractorisresponsibleforprovidingsafe accessandegresstothe site, INSERT YOUR
COMPANYNAME HERE staff will ensure safe accessandegressismaintainedforthemselvesand
othercontractors inthe area theyare workingin,goodstandardsof housekeepingwill be
maintained. INSERTYOURCOMPANYNAME HERE will be responsibleforsafe accessandegress
whenyouare the principle contractor.Accessrouteswill be signpostedandbarrierswill be putin
place where necessary.

4. Page 4 of 7
8 PointLifting Plan(Mechanical Lifting)
1. Selectionand Checking
a) SelectLiftingEquipmentthatisappropriate tothe loadliftingrequirements,e.g.weight
capacity.
b) Selectappropriate liftingaccessories(e.g.Chains,Dogs,etc.) asrequired.
c) Ensure the liftingequipmentwon'tdamage the loadandvice-versa.
d) Ensure the loadcan be controlledduringthe lift(usingtaglines/pushsticks).
e) Ensure that the Equipmentandaccessoriesare of adequate capacitytoliftthe load.
f) The Equipmenthasundergone itsdailyinspectionandisfitforpurpose.
g) Do not use - reportdamagedequipment immediatelytoyourSupervisor.
2. Co-Operate and Communicate
a) Onlysuitablytrainedpersonsshouldbe selectedtocarry outsignalling.
b) Ensure that youhave the authoritytouse the equipmentandmake the lift.
c) Agree onthe communicationmethodstobe used (verbal,andorhandsignals).
d) The liftwill notconflictwithotheractivitiesoccurringinthe liftareaorpath.
e) Ensure that the loadroute and walkwaysare clear,fromthe pick-uppointtothe dropoff
area.
3. Positionthe LiftingEquipmentcorrectly in relationto the load
a) Ensure there isadequate height/space forlift.
b) Ensure the LiftingEquipmentispositionedover/underthe centre of gravityof the load.
c) Ensure any mobile liftingequipmentissetatthe correct radius.
4. Attach the Lifting Equipment
a) Attach the LiftingEquipment,ensuringthatall piecesare free toaligncorrectly.
b) Ensure all necessaryliftingaccessoriesare usedinaccordance withthe manufacture guides
c) Ensure youcarry out liftingtechniquesdetailedinoperatortraining.
5. Make a Trial Lift
a) Keepyourfingers,toesandbodyina safe position.
b) Slowlyliftthe loadjustclearof the groundto checkthe equipmentconfigurationis
satisfactory.
c) Ensure that the loadis level andsecure.If not,lowertothe groundand reposition.
d) Do not touchthe loador liftingaccessorieswhile suspended.
6. Lift and Travel the Load
a) Liftthe load andtravel to the landingsite.
b) Carefullymonitorthe loadalongthe plannedroute.
c) Warn any people exposedtopotential risksinthe workarea.
d) Nevertake the loadoverthe headof anypersons.
e) Neverliftthe loadif anyone isstandinginanunsafe position.
f) Neverliftaperson.
g) Ensure sufficientclearance betweenthe loadandobstaclesismaintained.
h) Stopbefore takingloadintoroadwaysorover markedwalkways.

5. Page 5 of 7
i) Ensuringroutesare clear.
7. Offerthe Load into Final Position
a) At the landingsite,make atrial landingtocheckthe positionof the packers/supports.
b) Ensure that the loadis supportedwithouttrappingthe liftingequipment.
8. Remove LiftingEquipmentand check.
a) Remove the Liftingaccessoriesandequipmentfromthe load.
b) Checkthe equipmentfordamage - reportdamage immediatelytoyourSupervisor.
Digging Out (Excavations)
The area of excavationswill firstbe checkedforliveservicesusingcatscannersandplanswhere
possible.Anyexistingserviceswillbe protectedormovedasrequired.The holeswill be eitherdug
usingan excavatoror handdug bytwo menusingpickand shovel;the excavationswill be dugtothe
requiredwidthanddepthaccording tothe plans.To preventthe potentialforsubsidence orcollapse
cofferdamswill be usedtosupportthe sideswhere the depthexceeds1.5metres,adistance of
approx 1.2 metresisleftinsituandanothersectionisdugout, the intermediatesectionsare notdug
out until the backfill orconcrete in the original excavationshasbeensetfor48 hours.
Method Statements
GroundsMaintenance
Preparation
9. Works to be planned,where possible outsidesite openinghours.
10. Managementtoinformappropriate personnel thatthe taskisabout to be carriedout.
11. Place signsandbarriersaroundwork area to warnothersof workthat isbeingundertaken
and checkwork areacarefullyandidentifyanyhazardsthatmay hinderyouinthe task you
are performing.(Remembertoleave enoughspace withinthe enclosedareatowork).
12. If workingon unevengroundconsiderationshouldbe givenif usingaccessequipment.
13. Considerthe groundsurface anddecide if itisslipperyorunstable.
 Is the surface wet?
 Is the surface covered inalgae?
 Is the surface hard and level?
Take the necessarysteps to ensure you work safely.
1. Highwindsand poorgeneral weatherneedtobe consideredwhenworkingoutside.
Outdoorworkin poorweatheristo be confinedtoessential(emergency) tasksonly.
2. Whenusingpowertoolsyouneedtoconsiderthe noise levelsforbothyourself asthe user
and forthose aroundyou.
3. Where safetyguidelinesspecifyPPE,thenyoumustcomply.
4. Considerthe noise levelswhichthose workingaroundyouare alsoexposedto andeither
onlyproceedwiththe workwhenthe areais clearedof othersorensure thatothersare also
wearinghearingprotection.
5. Use barriersandsignsto control access to the area.

6. Page 6 of 7
6. Occasionallythe noise levelsmaybe suchthatneighboursare alsoexposedtoexcessive
noise levels.If thisisthe case supervisormustdecideonactionstobe taken.
7. If there is a riskof dust,sandor otherdebrisbecomingairborne the use of good
housekeepingtechniquesshouldbe followedtominimiseexposure.Wearthe appropriate
PPE (dustmaskand goggles).
8. Additional screensmaybe requiredtoprotectotherswhomaybe in close proximitytothe
workzone (Considerpublicandinparticular childrenandpets).
9. Whenoperatingmachineryandequipmentthe appropriatePPEshouldbe worn.Operator
mustbe deemedcompetent.
10. Be aware that surfacesof machineryandequipment maybe excessivelyhot.Thismaybe
from:- design,faultoras a resultof excessiveworkbeingdone.Checkcarefullybefore
handling.Use PPEto preventinjury.Donotleave machineryorequipmentinlocations
accessible tounauthorisedothers.
11. Machineryand equipmentmustbe isolatedpriortocleaningormakingadjustments.
12. Guardingmust alwaysbe usedif provided.Itshouldonlybe removedforcleaningor
maintenance byacompetentpersonafterisolationandreplacedpriortore-energising.
13. Onlytrainedandcompetentpersonsshouldworkwithanymachineryorequipment.This
meansthat familiarisationtrainingandassessmentisrequired.
14. Before usinganychemicalsorsubstancesconsultthe relevantCOSHHAssessmentasthiswill
tell youhowto store,handle andworksafelywiththese items.Youmustfollow the
instructionsgiven.Youmustwearthe correct PPE and use goodhousekeepingtechniquesto
minimise the riskof accidents.
15. On completionof works,all tools,equipment,debrisandunusedmaterialsmustbe cleared
fromthe worksite.
16. Notifymanagementthatthe workiscompleted.Where necessaryobtainapproval of works
completed.
17. Surfacesmustbe cleanand safe priorto removingbarriersandsignage andthe area re-
instatedfornormal use.

7. Page 7 of 7
Sign Off Sheet
I have read and understood the contents of this Method Statement.
Anything I did not understand has been explained to me to my satisfaction.
I agree to follow the Method Statement and understand that any control procedures are provided
for my safety and the safety of others.
Print Name Signed Date