Health and Safety Policy — Hedge Trimming Feltham

Purpose and scope. This policy sets out the health and safety commitments of our gardening service when carrying out hedge trimming in Feltham and nearby areas. It is designed to protect employees, clients, members of the public and contractors during all hedge maintenance and hedge cutting in Feltham operations. The policy covers planning, risk assessment, safe systems of work, training, equipment maintenance and emergency response. It applies to every person employed or engaged by the business and to subcontractors working on behalf of the company.

Responsibilities

Managers and supervisors are responsible for ensuring safe techniques for every Feltham hedge trimming task, including task allocation and supervision. Employees must follow instructions, use personal protective equipment (PPE) and report hazards. Contractors and temporary staff must demonstrate competency for hedge work and agree to follow our systems. The company will provide adequate resources so that every hedge maintenance Feltham job is planned, risk assessed and monitored. Everyone has a duty to stop work if an unsafe condition arises.

Risk assessment and planning. Before any Feltham hedge trimming or hedge maintenance visit, a formal risk assessment will be completed and recorded. Assessments consider access, proximity to roads, pedestrians, overhead utilities, nesting birds, weather conditions and the condition of hedges. Control measures include exclusion zones, traffic management, use of harnesses for elevated tasks and safe disposal plans. Where mechanical cutters or chainsaws are used, isolation of power and clear tool safety checks are mandatory. Records of assessments are retained and reviewed following incidents or significant changes.

Safe systems of work

Safe systems include written method statements for complex Feltham hedge trimming projects and inspections of job sites prior to starting. PPE requirements include cut-resistant gloves, eye protection, hearing protection, hi-vis clothing and appropriate footwear. Tools and machinery must be inspected daily and maintained by qualified personnel. Hot works, working at height and traffic management have specific permit arrangements. Our gardeners receive training in safe use of powered hedge trimmers, ladder safety and manual handling to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injury.

Training, competence and supervision.

The company provides induction training, task-specific instruction and refresher courses to maintain competence for Feltham hedge trimming and neighbouring area works. Records of training, licences and qualifications are kept and reviewed. Supervisors conduct toolbox talks and spot checks to ensure compliance. Apprentices and new staff are supervised until they meet competency standards. The policy emphasises a culture of continuous learning and safe behavior, encouraging staff to report near misses and suggest safety improvements.

Equipment and materials are selected to reduce risk and environmental impact. Cutting equipment has guards and stop switches; power tools have residual current devices where required. Disposal of green waste is managed to prevent fly-tipping and contamination of drains. The policy restricts the use of hazardous substances near watercourses and requires the safe storage and handling of fuels and lubricants. Noise and vibration exposures are monitored with control measures applied to protect worker health.

Incident reporting and emergency response procedures are established for all garden and hedge operations. First aid provisions and trained first aiders are available on site or nearby, and emergency contact procedures are documented. All accidents, incidents and near misses are reported and investigated to identify corrective actions. Regular drills and reviews ensure that the team remains prepared for incidents such as tool injuries, falls, or encounters with hazardous wildlife. Lessons learned are used to update method statements and training.

Monitoring, review and continual improvement. The business performs regular safety audits, site inspections and performance reviews to ensure the policy remains effective for hedge cutting Feltham work. Performance indicators include incident frequency, completion of risk assessments, training currency and equipment maintenance records. Management will review this policy at scheduled intervals and following significant events to ensure it reflects best practice and evolves with operational needs. Worker involvement is sought when developing improvements.

Commitment and communication. Our company is committed to providing a safe working environment for all hedge maintenance in Feltham and surrounding service areas. Safety expectations are communicated to clients and partners where necessary, and staff wellbeing is a core consideration in rostering and workload planning. This policy supports a proactive safety culture where every team member is empowered to act, report hazards and contribute to safer approaches. The management team endorses this policy and requires compliance from everyone engaged in landscaping and hedge services.