Health and Safety Policy — Hedge Trimming Shortlands

This Health and Safety Policy describes the approach and commitments of Hedge Trimming Shortlands and affiliated gardening teams to maintain safe working conditions for staff, clients and the public. It applies to all aspects of hedge cutting, hedge maintenance and associated garden operations carried out by our crews, subcontractors and any persons acting on our behalf. The purpose of this document is to set out clear responsibilities, safe working standards and the processes we use to ensure that hedge trimming in Shortlands is performed with minimal risk.

Scope and Responsibilities

This policy covers routine hedge care services, including formative pruning, seasonal trimming, hedgerow shaping and clearance operations on both private and commercial properties within our service area. Everyone involved in Shortlands hedge maintenance must be familiar with the policy and comply with the procedures set out here. The company director has overall responsibility for implementing the policy, while team leaders and operatives are responsible for day-to-day compliance. Clients are asked to co-operate with safety instructions and to report any hazards they observe.

All employees and contractors are required to follow safe systems of work. This includes carrying out pre-job briefings, using suitable equipment in good condition, and applying control measures identified through risk assessment. Supervision and monitoring ensure that safety standards are maintained, and any changes to operations are assessed before work continues.

Risk Assessment and Control Measures

Before any hedge cutting task begins a formal or site-specific risk assessment will be carried out. Assessments identify physical hazards such as fall risks from ladders, use of powered cutting tools, hidden obstacles in hedgerows, wildlife considerations and proximity to pedestrians, vehicles or structures. Control measures include planning access, using exclusion zones, and scheduling work to avoid peak pedestrian times. Equipment checks and documentation are completed prior to starting work.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is mandatory for hedge cutting operations. Operatives must wear appropriate eye protection, hearing protection, gloves, suitable footwear and high-visibility clothing where required. For elevated work, harnesses or stabilised platforms may be used; for long-duration powered hedge cutting effective hearing protection and vibration control measures are essential. Regular inspection and replacement of PPE is part of our daily safety checks.

Safe working practices include:

• Pre-task checks — inspect tools and machines; ensure fuel and oil are stored safely.
• Establish exclusion zones — keep bystanders and property clear of flying debris.
• Work positioning — use correct ladders, platforms and stable footing when accessing hedges.
• Tool guarding and safe handling — maintain blades, protect cutting edges and guard rotating parts.
• Wildlife and ecological care — check for nesting birds and protected species and defer work if needed.

Training, Competency and Communication

All staff engaged in hedge trimming receive training appropriate to their role and the equipment they use. Training includes induction, equipment-specific instruction, safe manual handling, and refresher sessions. Competency checks and practical assessments are recorded and reviewed. Clear communication on site is promoted via briefings, hand signals and radios when required.

Emergency procedures and incident reporting are in place for all operations. In the event of injury, immediate first aid must be administered and any medical emergency escalated quickly. All incidents, near misses and property damage are reported and investigated to identify root causes and prevent recurrence. Records of incidents and corrective actions are retained and reviewed as part of continuous improvement.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

We audit health and safety performance regularly through site checks, equipment inspections and management reviews. This policy is reviewed periodically and revised as necessary to reflect changes in working practices, new equipment, or emerging risks. Our aim is to achieve best practice for hedge care operations and to ensure that hedge cutting in Shortlands and surrounding areas is conducted responsibly and safely. Compliance with this policy is mandatory; failure to follow required procedures will result in corrective action and may affect employment or contracting status.