Health & Safety Policy for Hedge Trimming Northolt

Hedge Trimming Northolt is committed to providing a safe working environment for employees, contractors and the public while delivering professional hedge trimming in Northolt and surrounding service areas. This policy sets out our approach to managing risks associated with hedge maintenance, including site assessment, training, safe systems of work and continuous monitoring. Our objective is to reduce incidents, protect health and ensure that all work is planned and executed to a consistently high safety standard.

We recognise our responsibilities under relevant health and safety principles and industry best practice and will apply them proportionately across domestic and commercial hedge cutting operations. The policy applies to all staff involved in hedge maintenance, from mobile operatives to supervisors and office staff who arrange work. All personnel must follow documented procedures and report hazards promptly so corrective action can be taken.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Before any job starts we conduct a site-specific risk assessment and prepare a method statement that identifies foreseeable hazards such as working at height, proximity to roads, underground services, wildlife, and power lines. The assessment is used to define control measures including exclusion zones, signage, traffic management and emergency access. Records of risk assessments are retained and reviewed whenever conditions change.

Roles and Responsibilities

Management will ensure that resources are available to implement this policy, that staff receive appropriate training, and that equipment is maintained. Site supervisors are responsible for enforcing safe systems and for ensuring operatives have the correct personal protective equipment (PPE). Operatives must follow instructions, use PPE correctly and take reasonable care for their own safety and that of others.

Training, Competency and Supervision

Staff undertaking hedge cutting, trimming hedgerows and related landscaping tasks receive documented training in the safe use of powered tools, ladder and platform safety, manual handling and hazard recognition. Competency assessments are conducted before any operative works unsupervised. Refresher training is provided periodically and after any change in equipment or technique. Supervision levels are adjusted based on experience, complexity of the task and site risk profile.

Tooling and plant used for hedge maintenance are inspected before use and maintained to a safe standard. This includes petrol and battery-powered trimmers, chainsaws where required, pole tools and mechanical shredders. Lock-out/tag-out procedures and refuelling safety are required to prevent accidental start-up or fuel-related incidents. Batteries and chargers are handled in accordance with the manufacturer's guidance.

Personal Protective Equipment and Health Precautions

Operatives are provided with and required to wear appropriate PPE such as gloves, eye and ear protection, high-visibility clothing, cut-resistant leg protection where chainsaws are used, and suitable footwear. Health considerations, including manual handling, heat stress, and exposure to plant allergens, are addressed through work planning, job rotation and provision of water and rest breaks. Employees must disclose relevant medical conditions that could affect safe performance so reasonable adjustments can be made.

Traffic and Public Safety Where trimming hedges near roads, footpaths or cycle routes we implement traffic control measures and cordon off working areas to protect pedestrians and passing vehicles. Signage and banksmen are used as required, and work is scheduled to minimise disruption. We avoid conducting noisy or obstructive tasks at times likely to present the greatest risk to the public or vulnerable road users.

Emergency Procedures, Incident Reporting and Review We maintain first-aid provisions and ensure operatives know emergency contact procedures and the location of the nearest medical facilities. All incidents, near misses and unsafe conditions must be reported immediately and recorded for investigation. Lessons learned are shared and actioned to prevent recurrence. The health and safety policy is reviewed at least annually and whenever there is a significant change to work practices, equipment or legislation, to ensure continual improvement.

Environmental and wildlife considerations are integrated into our planning for hedge works. We identify nesting birds and protected species before work begins and schedule or adapt operations to comply with conservation best practice. Green waste management, site cleanliness and minimising disturbance to gardens and wildlife are part of our standard operating procedures for hedge maintenance in the local service area.

We use a hierarchy of controls to manage risks: eliminate hazards where possible, substitute with safer methods, implement engineering and administrative controls, and provide PPE as a last line of defence. Key controls include:

• Pre-work risk assessment and documented method statements
• Competency checks and refresher training for operatives
• Regular inspection and maintenance of tools and PPE
• Traffic management and public protection measures
• Clear reporting and incident investigation procedures

By adhering to this policy, our hedge trimming services across the Northolt area and adjacent neighbourhoods aim to deliver safe, reliable and environmentally responsible work. All employees and subcontractors are expected to support the policy and contribute to a culture of safety and care. The policy is endorsed by senior management and forms part of our operational standards for hedge care, trimming and landscape maintenance.