Health and Safety Policy — Hedge Trimming Pimlico

This Health and Safety policy sets out the commitments and procedures of our gardening team when carrying out Hedge Trimming Pimlico operations and related green maintenance. The policy applies to all staff, contractors and site supervisors involved in hedge maintenance in the Pimlico service area and surrounding neighbourhoods, and is designed to ensure safe, consistent working practices that protect operatives, clients and the public.

Our organisation recognises that hedge cutting, pruning and shrub management involve specific hazards including working at height, mechanical equipment, flying debris and manual handling. The purpose of this document is to describe how risk is managed through planning, training, equipment and supervision. The policy complements other site-specific risk assessments and method statements prepared for individual assignments.

All operatives engaged in Pimlico hedge care must follow the requirements of this policy: adherence to safe systems of work, use of appropriate personal protective equipment, pre-task risk assessments and reporting of incidents. The policy promotes a culture of safety where near misses are reported and lessons learned are shared across teams.

The policy covers planning, transportation, setup and execution of hedge trimming services, including boundary hedges, formal garden hedgerows and roadside plantings. Managers are responsible for ensuring operatives are competent; team leaders must confirm that each task has an up-to-date assessment and that equipment is inspected before use. Employees have a duty to work safely, use safety equipment and raise concerns immediately.

Before starting any job, a site-specific check is carried out to identify hazards such as underground services, overhead cables, traffic, pedestrian routes and protected species or nesting birds. Where risks are present, control measures are put in place and documented. Work will not proceed until safety controls are in place and understood by all team members.

Training and competence are central to safe hedge trimming operations. Staff receive instruction on safe use of powered hedge trimmers, petrol-driven cutters, pole saws and powered shredders, as well as on manual pruning tools. Refresher training is provided periodically and after any change in equipment or work methods.

All tasks require a pre-work risk assessment and a written method statement where complexity or public exposure is significant. Safe working procedures include correct tool selection, guarding of moving parts, secure storage of fuel and oils, and measures to prevent unauthorised access to the work area. When working at height, ladder use is controlled and, where necessary, alternative access such as mobile platforms will be used.

The following controls are applied routinely to protect operatives and the public:

• Use of high-visibility clothing and appropriate PPE (eye, hearing, gloves, boots and cut-resistant attire)
• Establishing exclusion zones with cones, signs or barrier tape
• Secure handling and refuelling of petrol equipment away from ignition sources
• Safe disposal or chipping of green waste to prevent trip hazards
• Traffic management for roadside hedges where required

Manual handling principles are applied to reduce lifting and twisting injuries when moving cut material and machinery. Teams work in pairs for heavy or awkward loads, and mechanical aids such as wheelbarrows and garden trailers are used where practicable. Physiological stresses from repetitive tasks are managed through rotation of duties and adequate rest breaks.

Environmental and wildlife considerations are integrated into our procedures. Where nesting birds or protected habitats are identified, work is adapted or rescheduled in line with conservation best practice. Our approach balances operational needs with environmental stewardship across the Pimlico service area.

Communication and supervision are emphasised: team leaders carry radios or phones for emergency contact, and clear instructions are given at daily briefings. Tool box talks are used to highlight site-specific hazards and control measures before work starts.

Incident reporting and investigation procedures are in place to ensure timely recording of any accidents, injuries or near misses. Learning from incidents drives continuous improvement in safe working practices and helps reduce recurrence. Records of training, equipment inspections and risk assessments are retained and reviewed regularly.

Maintenance of plant and equipment is carried out by qualified personnel and follows manufacturers' guidance. Machines are inspected before use, and any defects are reported and rectified promptly. Consumables such as replacement blades and guards are stocked to maintain safe operation of cutting tools.

The policy is reviewed at least annually and whenever there is a significant change to working practices, equipment or legislation. Senior management endorse this Health and Safety policy and ensure that adequate resources are available to implement the controls required to carry out safe hedge trimming services across Pimlico and nearby neighbourhoods.

Roles and responsibilities are summarised as follows: managers ensure policy implementation, supervisors ensure task-level controls and operatives follow instructions and use PPE correctly. Together, these responsibilities create a resilient system for safe hedge management.

This document promotes a proactive safety culture in which every team member contributes to hazard awareness and risk control. By following these procedures, our gardening teams deliver high-quality hedge trimming, pruning and maintenance while minimising harm to people and property.

Commitment: We are committed to continual improvement in health and safety performance for hedge trimming in Pimlico. Regular monitoring, training and open communication will ensure that this commitment is translated into daily practice.