Health and Safety Policy for Hedge Trimming Hampstead

Purpose: This policy sets out the health and safety commitments and procedures for hedge cutting and general hedge maintenance services provided by our gardening team operating across Hampstead and surrounding service areas. It explains how we protect staff, clients, visitors and the public while delivering safe and professional hedge trimming, pruning and landscape management. The policy applies to all employees, contractors and subcontractors engaged in hedge work, including seasonal and emergency operations.

Scope and Responsibilities

Our commitment covers all activities associated with hedge work: site assessment, tool selection, manual pruning, mechanical hedge trimming in both residential and small commercial settings, access and egress, and safe removal and disposal of arisings. Management retains overall responsibility for ensuring that adequate resources are provided to implement this policy. Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for enforcing safe systems of work, carrying out briefings, and ensuring that workers are suitably trained and competent. Employees must follow procedures, use provided personal protective equipment and report hazards or incidents promptly.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

All hedge cutting operations begin with a site-specific risk assessment that identifies foreseeable hazards such as falls from height, contact with moving blades, manual handling injuries, underground services, proximity to roads, and working near wildlife or protected plants. Risk controls include exclusion zones, traffic management, tool guards, two-person working where appropriate and hierarchy of controls to eliminate or mitigate hazards. Control measures are documented and communicated during task briefings before work starts.

Personal Protective Equipment and Clothing We require appropriate PPE for hedge trimming activities: cut-resistant gloves, eye and ear protection, sturdy footwear with ankle support, hi-vis clothing for roadside work, and chainsaw protective trousers where chainsaws are used. PPE is regularly inspected and replaced when worn. Workers are trained in selecting and fitting PPE and must wear it at all required times. Failure to wear PPE without a lawful or documented reason is treated as a safety breach.

Emergency procedures are in place for incidents such as serious injury, tool entanglement, electric shock from hidden services and incidents involving wildlife or hazardous materials. First aid kits are provided on-site, and at least one person with first aid training will be available during operations. Emergency contact and evacuation routes for each site are recorded with supervisors, and incidents are logged in our incident reporting system for review and corrective action.

Training, competence and supervision are essential. We provide job-specific training covering safe use of hedge trimmers, petrol and electric powered tools, ladder safety, working from mobile platforms, manual handling techniques and safe lifting. Staff undergo periodic refresher training and competency assessments. New workers are supervised until deemed competent. Apprenticeships and accredited courses are encouraged; internal mentoring supports skill development while maintaining safety standards.

Equipment Maintenance and Inspection All powered and handheld equipment is subject to routine maintenance schedules and pre-use checks. Records of inspections, servicing and any remedial actions are maintained. Defective tools are removed from use and labeled until repaired or replaced. Safe storage and transportation procedures reduce accidental activation or damage. Where specialist equipment such as elevated work platforms or petrol chainsaws are used, operators must hold appropriate qualifications and follow manufacturer guidance.

We maintain an accessible set of safe working procedures and checklists for hedge cutting in varying conditions. Typical control steps include:

• Pre-work site walk; identify access, overhead lines, buried services and protected species.
• Establish exclusion zones and, where necessary, traffic management measures on roads and footpaths.
• Confirm tool condition, blade sharpness and that guards are in place.
• Use correct disposal methods for trimmings, avoiding damage to habitats.

Environmental and wildlife considerations are integrated into our procedures. Hedge maintenance is planned to avoid the bird-nesting season where reasonably practicable and to protect beneficial invertebrate habitats. Chemical use is minimised; mechanical and manual methods are preferred. Waste management follows best practice for green waste recycling and composting while preventing fly-tipping and nuisance to neighbours.

Monitoring, Audit and Continuous Improvement We audit our health and safety practices regularly and review risk assessments following any significant change to work patterns or after incidents. Records of training, tool maintenance, incident reports and site risk assessments are retained and reviewed to identify trends. Where improvements are identified, we implement corrective actions, update procedures and communicate changes to the workforce. Senior management conducts periodic policy reviews to ensure standards remain effective and current.

Commitment and Review This policy is endorsed by company leadership and forms part of our operational standards for hedge trimming in Hampstead and surrounding service areas. It will be reviewed at least annually or sooner if there are changes in legislation, equipment or incidents that call for revision. Employees are encouraged to contribute to safety improvements and will be consulted on changes that affect their work. Our priority is to deliver quality hedge maintenance while protecting people, property and the environment through clear responsibilities, ongoing training and robust safe systems of work.