When businesses think about health and safety, their focus often turns inward — staff training, fire exits, signage, and emergency procedures. But what about outside? Your external grounds are the first and last point of contact for anyone visiting your premises — and if they are not properly maintained, they can pose real risks to safety and legal compliance.

At Proscapes Landscapes, we’ve seen first-hand how proper grounds maintenance plays a critical role in keeping sites safe, accessible, and legally compliant. Whether it’s a school, sports club, retail park, or business estate in Greater Manchester, maintaining your outdoor spaces is about much more than aesthetics — it’s about duty of care.

1. Reducing the Risk of Slips, Trips and Falls

Uneven surfaces, overgrown paths, wet leaves, moss, and loose debris are some of the most common causes of slip and trip accidents in public and commercial spaces. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reports that slips and trips are responsible for over a third of all major injuries reported in the workplace — many of which occur outside.

Regular maintenance of walkways, car parks, entrances, and communal areas is essential. This includes:

  • Sweeping paths and clearing debris
  • Trimming hedges and overgrowth obstructing views
  • Removing moss or algae from hard surfaces
  • Filling or cordoning off uneven paving

A reactive grounds maintenance contractor like Proscapes Landscapes can respond quickly to weather-related hazards or sudden deterioration, keeping your site safe without delay.

2. Complying with Health & Safety Regulations

In the UK, property managers, business owners, and educational institutions have a legal obligation to maintain safe premises under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957. Failing to keep outdoor areas in a safe condition can lead to costly claims, fines, or reputational damage.
This includes:

  • Safe access to and from the building
  • Adequate signage for hazards
  • Proper drainage to prevent water pooling
  • Maintaining boundaries, fencing, and external lighting

Working with a qualified and insured grounds maintenance provider ensures that your external spaces meet legal safety standards, with documented work and clear accountability.

3. Protecting Staff, Visitors and the Public

Businesses aren’t just responsible for employees — they’re responsible for anyone who sets foot on the property. This includes visitors, clients, contractors, students, and the general public.
Poorly maintained grounds can lead to:

  • Injuries from falling branches or unstable trees
  • Accidents due to hidden trip hazards
  • Restricted access for those with mobility needs
  • Damage to parked vehicles or property

Proscapes Landscapes offers reactive response services for urgent issues like fallen trees, damaged fences, or storm debris, helping you deal with issues quickly before they become liabilities.

4. Seasonal Safety Matters

Each season brings its own risks — and businesses must be proactive:

Autumn: Wet leaves, blocked drains, and slippery walkways

Winter: Ice, snow buildup, and gritting requirements

Spring: Overgrowth and post-winter damage repair

Summer: Dry grass increasing fire risk, especially in large open spaces

Regular seasonal maintenance is essential to keeping your grounds hazard-free. Our team offers both scheduled and reactive services to handle everything from one-off clear-ups to urgent storm response.

5. Professional Equipment for Safe Results

Many businesses don’t have the machinery, training, or PPE to handle grounds maintenance safely. From tree surgery to line marking and lawn mowing, improper equipment use can cause injury or property damage.
At Proscapes Landscapes, we use:

  • Commercial-grade, safety-certified machinery
  • Specialist turf equipment that prevents pitch damage
  • Trained operatives with up-to-date health and safety qualifications
  • Fully insured services with RAMS (Risk Assessment & Method Statements) available on request
  • We’re not just here to make your grounds look better — we make sure the job is done safely, correctly, and with full compliance.

6. Peace of Mind Through Proactive and Reactive Support

Sometimes, accidents or issues can’t be avoided — bad weather, vandalism, or unexpected failures can create immediate risks. That’s where our reactive maintenance services come in.

We provide fast-response grounds care across Greater Manchester, offering:

  • Emergency clean-ups
  • Tree and hedge management
  • Pathway and car park clearance
  • Rapid site assessments and hazard control

For facilities managers and business owners, having a contractor on-call for these situations is essential for business continuity and peace of mind.

Don’t Overlook What’s Underfoot

Grounds maintenance isn’t just a tick-box exercise — it’s a core part of your health and safety strategy. Clean, clear, and well-kept outdoor areas protect your people, reduce liability, and reflect the professionalism of your organisation.

Whether you manage a school, office park, retail space, or community venue, Proscapes Landscapes is here to support you with both proactive care and responsive action — always with safety as the priority. Contact us today for a free quote.