Health & Safety Policy — Hedge Trimming Mitcham

This Health and Safety Policy sets out the commitment of our gardening service to safe, professional hedge trimming in Mitcham and surrounding service areas. The purpose of this policy is to minimise risk to staff, clients, members of the public and property while delivering reliable hedge maintenance and pruning. It outlines responsibilities, safe working practices and the controls we apply when carrying out Mitcham hedge trimming and general garden maintenance.

Scope: this policy applies to all employees, contractors and subcontractors engaged in hedge work, shrub pruning, hedge care and associated site clearance. It covers mobile operations, domestic and light-commercial sites within our service area, and the use, transport and storage of tools and equipment. The policy is intended to complement existing statutory obligations without duplicating legal text, and to provide practical safety standards for everyday operations.

Responsibilities: the employer is responsible for ensuring a safe system of work, providing appropriate equipment and training, and maintaining records. Supervisors must ensure that risk assessments are carried out and that teams follow safe working procedures. Each operative is required to take reasonable care for their own health and safety, report hazards, and use the correct PPE. Our managers undertake regular site checks to verify compliance and to support continual improvement in our hedge trimming services across the local area.

Risk Assessment and Planning

Before any job starts we complete a specific risk assessment for the site and task. This includes identifying overhead hazards, unstable surfaces, underground services near root zones, and access or egress issues. Job planning ensures appropriate tools and plant are selected and that traffic or pedestrian controls are implemented where necessary. Weather and seasonal considerations are also assessed to ensure safe pruning and hedge care operations.

Training and competence: all staff involved in hedge care and cutting operations receive formal training in safe hedge trimming techniques, equipment use and maintenance, and emergency procedures. Training is refreshed periodically and whenever new equipment or methods are introduced. Operatives are trained to recognise signs of fatigue, heat stress and other health issues that can compromise safety during outdoor work.

Personal protective equipment is provided and must be worn where required: high-visibility clothing, eye protection, hearing protection, gloves, steel-toe footwear and leg protection for powered hedge cutters. We require operatives to inspect PPE before use and to report any defects immediately. Safe tool use is emphasised during toolbox talks and pre-start briefings.

Equipment, maintenance and site control: All machinery and handheld tools used for hedge trimming are subject to routine maintenance and inspections. Records of inspections and servicing are kept. We operate exclusion zones around powered equipment and use barriers or signage to protect the public. Electrical safety and safe fuel handling procedures are enforced for generators and petrol-powered tools to prevent fire and spill incidents.

Incident management and first aid: a clear procedure for reporting and investigating accidents, near misses and hazardous occurrences is maintained. First aid provision is assessed for each site, and suitably trained personnel are designated where required. All incidents are recorded and reviewed to identify corrective actions and to prevent recurrence. Records of training, incidents and equipment checks are retained to support ongoing health and safety management.

Safe working methods for hedge trimming: operatives follow standard operating procedures which include clearing the work area of bystanders, checking for wildlife and nesting birds, using correct cutting techniques to reduce rebound and kickback, and ensuring stable working platforms. Ladder use is minimised in favour of secure elevated platforms or pole-mounted cutters where possible. Emergency stop and isolation measures for powered tools are always in place.

Specific Controls and Communication

Communication procedures ensure that everyone on site understands the safe method of work. Prior to starting a job, the team completes a short briefing covering hazards, controls and emergency contacts. Signage and barriers are used to manage public access and to indicate exclusion zones. We maintain a culture of reporting and encourage staff to speak up about safety concerns.

Key control measures include:

• Pre-job risk assessments and dynamic risk reviews during work
• Regular competence checks and refresher training
• Routine equipment inspection and planned maintenance
• Use of appropriate PPE and safe work equipment
• Clear site segregation to protect the public and property

Policy review and continuous improvement: this policy is subject to regular review, at least annually, or following significant incidents, changes in equipment or statutory updates. Our commitment is to maintain a safe working environment that protects staff and clients while delivering high-quality hedge trimming and garden maintenance services throughout the service area. Safety is integral to how we work — everybody has a part to play.