Health & Safety Policy for Hedge Trimming Southwark Services

Scope and purpose. This health and safety policy sets out the standards and commitments of our hedge maintenance operations across the service area commonly described as Hedge Trimming Southwark and neighbouring neighbourhoods. It applies to all employees, contractors and sub‑contractors engaged in hedge cutting, pruning, and associated garden clearance. The policy aims to reduce risk, protect the public and wildlife, and ensure consistent safe working practices for domestic and commercial hedge care.

Our approach to hedge trimming in Southwark emphasises hazard identification, training, and maintenance of plant and equipment. The company commits to provide appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), competent supervision and documented safe systems of work. All staff must follow written procedures and report unsafe conditions immediately.

Responsibility and accountability. Senior management retains ultimate responsibility for health and safety. Site supervisors and team leaders bear day‑to‑day responsibility for risk control during hedge operations. Every operative has a duty to stop work where immediate danger exists and to report incidents. Contractors must demonstrate competence and compliance with our safety standards before being permitted to work on any site.

Risk assessment and safe systems

Risk assessments are carried out for each job prior to commencement and reviewed whenever conditions change. Assessments consider working at height, proximity to roads and pedestrians, overhead services, pesticide use, and potential contact with wildlife and nesting birds. Written method statements outline control measures for each identified hazard.

PPE, tools and equipment

Operatives are provided with and required to use suitable PPE including cut‑resistant gloves, eye protection, hearing protection, hi‑vis clothing and safety footwear. Equipment such as hedge cutters, live‑line saws and pole pruners are inspected daily and serviced regularly. Faulty tools are removed from service immediately. Electrical and fuel‑powered machinery must be operated only by trained personnel.

To reduce manual handling risks, teams use mechanical aids where possible and rotate tasks to avoid repetitive strain. Safe storage of fuels and batteries is enforced to prevent spillages and reduce fire risk. A permit to work system is used for higher risk activities such as accessing steep banks or working adjacent to traffic.

Training, competence and supervision are central to delivering safe hedge maintenance. All operatives receive induction training and regular refreshers covering safe machine use, first aid awareness, manual handling, and wildlife protection measures. Supervisors conduct toolbox talks and monitor adherence to procedures. Records of training and qualifications are maintained and periodically audited.

Environmental and wildlife considerations. Our teams follow best practice to protect nesting birds and habitats. Work schedules consider seasonal restrictions, and operatives are instructed to report signs of protected species. Waste arisings from hedge trimming are managed to reduce pollution and encourage appropriate composting or disposal.

Emergency procedures and incident reporting. First aid resources are provided on site in proportion to the size and risk of the task. All incidents, near misses and hazards are reported and recorded promptly. Investigations seek to identify root causes and implement corrective actions. Fire, medical and evacuation procedures are established for each location and communicated to the team before work starts.

Monitoring, audit and continuous improvement

Regular health and safety inspections and audits are conducted to measure compliance with this policy. Performance indicators such as incident frequency, equipment defects and training completion rates are reviewed at management meetings. Corrective actions are tracked to completion and learning is shared across teams to prevent recurrence.

Record keeping and documentation

Comprehensive records include risk assessments, method statements, training logs, equipment inspections, incident reports and maintenance records. These documents are retained to support tracing, auditing and continual improvement processes. Operatives have access to the relevant documentation and are encouraged to propose improvements.

Commitment and review. This policy is endorsed by senior management and is communicated to all staff and contractors involved in hedge care activities. It will be reviewed at least annually or following significant change, incident or legislative update to ensure the ongoing relevance of our safety arrangements. By applying these standards, our hedge trimming and garden maintenance services deliver safe, reliable work across the Southwark service area with respect for people and the environment.