Health and Safety Policy for Hedge Trimming Cricklewood
Purpose and scope: This Health and Safety Policy sets out the approach and standards for hedge trimming and vegetation management services offered by our Cricklewood gardening team. It covers routine hedge maintenance, formative cutting and seasonal reduction works delivered across the local service area. The policy applies to all operatives, contractors and temporary staff involved in hedge care and associated gardening duties, and aims to ensure work is completed safely, efficiently and with minimal risk to people, property and the environment.
Policy commitments
We will: protect the health and safety of workers and the public; maintain equipment; perform risk assessments; and deliver regular training. Our commitment includes preventing injury, controlling workplace hazards and promoting safe systems of work during every hedge trimming task. Emphasis is placed on good planning, clear communication and supervision to support safe operations and regulatory compliance in the landscaping and hedge trimming sector.
Responsibilities: Managers are responsible for policy implementation, assigning competent staff and ensuring safe work methodologies. Operatives must follow instructions, report hazards and use provided personal protective equipment. Contractors working with the team will be assessed and required to meet the same safety standards. Strong supervision and periodic review are a core part of how we monitor performance and continuous improvement in all hedge-related activities.
Risk assessment and planning
Before any job we perform a documented risk assessment specific to hedge trimming in Cricklewood and surrounding neighbourhoods. The assessment identifies hazards such as falls from ladders, contact with cutting equipment, manual handling strains, flying debris and nearby traffic or pedestrians. Control measures are selected to eliminate or reduce risks, including exclusion zones, traffic management, and selection of the correct tools and ladders for the task.We maintain safe systems of work that include pre-start checks, method statements for complex tasks and environmental safeguards to protect wildlife and prevent damage to shrubs, fences and property. All staff are trained in the safe use of petrol and electric hedge trimmers, powered saws and hand tools, and understand when specialist equipment or additional permits are required for larger cutting operations.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) and equipment maintenance: PPE such as eye protection, gloves, high-visibility clothing, hearing protection and robust footwear is provided and compulsory on site. Tools are regularly inspected, serviced and maintained by qualified personnel. Faulty or worn items are removed from service immediately and replaced to preserve safety standards during hedge maintenance and trimming duties.
Working at height and access: Safe access planning is essential for higher hedges. Ladders, mobile platforms and suitable harness systems are used where appropriate and only by trained operatives. We adopt the hierarchy of controls to avoid unnecessary working at height and minimise the duration of exposure to fall risk. When neighboring properties, footpaths or narrow carriageways are affected, clear signage and barriers are deployed.
Traffic and pedestrian management: Where hedge trimming affects public access or roadways, practical controls are put in place such as cones, temporary signage and designated banksmen. Communication with residents and safe segregation of the work area protects passers-by and allows work to proceed without risking public safety. All measures are proportionate to the scale of the job and compliant with best practice for outdoor garden and landscaping works.
Emergency procedures, incident reporting and review: We maintain clear emergency arrangements including first-aid provision, procedures for contacting emergency services and reporting protocols for accidents, near-misses and dangerous occurrences. Incidents are investigated, corrective actions implemented and lessons learned shared with the team. The policy is reviewed annually or after any significant event to ensure continuous improvement and alignment with evolving standards in hedge maintenance and gardening safety.
Training and competence: All staff undertake induction training, periodic refreshers and task-specific instruction. Competence is documented and supervised; apprentices and new joiners are mentored until they demonstrate consistent, safe performance on hedgerow and shrub work. We promote a safety culture where questions and safety concerns are encouraged and acted upon promptly.
Environmental and wildlife considerations: Hedge trimming work is planned to minimise harm to nesting birds, beneficial insects and native habitats. We apply seasonal awareness and employ sensitive cutting techniques where required, balancing vegetation management with biodiversity protection. Waste arisings and green cuttings are handled responsibly to reduce impact on local amenity and ecology.
Record keeping and monitoring: Documentation such as risk assessments, training records, equipment maintenance logs and incident reports are retained and reviewed to ensure compliance and enable effective management oversight. Regular site audits and toolbox talks reinforce safe working practices and demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the highest standards of health and safety in hedge trimming services within the Cricklewood service area.