Health and Safety Policy for Hedge Trimming Marylebone

Purpose and commitment. This Health and Safety policy sets out the standards and working practices for hedge work carried out by our gardeners providing Hedge Trimming Marylebone and related garden maintenance services. Our aim is to protect employees, contractors, residents and the public while delivering professional hedge cutting and maintenance across the service area. We will maintain safe systems of work, ensure appropriate training and issue suitable personal protective equipment for all hedge care tasks.

Scope and responsibilities: The policy applies to all personnel performing hedgerow maintenance, including seasonal shaping, crown reduction and routine hedge cutting in Marylebone. Managers are responsible for implementing safety arrangements, carrying out risk assessments and ensuring crew competence. Operatives must follow safe work methods, report hazards and use equipment only in accordance with training. Subcontractors engaged for specialist hedge reduction or tree-line work must comply with these requirements before commencing any works.

Risk assessment and planning. Prior to any hedge maintenance activity an on-site risk assessment will be completed to identify hazards such as restricted access, underground services, overhead cables, pedestrian routes and traffic. Job-specific controls are documented and approved by a competent person. The planning process covers task sequencing, the need for traffic management or temporary closures, and any permit arrangements necessary when working adjacent to sensitive areas or listed gardens. Risk controls are reviewed whenever conditions change.

Equipment, training and personal protective equipment

Tools and machinery used for hedge maintenance — powered hedge trimmers, pole saws, shears and hand tools — are inspected before use and maintained to a safe standard. A pre-start checklist is completed each day. Only trained operatives will use petrol or battery-powered trimmers and long-reach equipment. Our training programme covers safe operation, tool maintenance, and awareness of vibration and noise exposure specific to hedge trimming activities in Marylebone gardens and streets.

Protective measures and emergency readiness. Operatives will wear appropriate PPE including cut-resistant gloves, eye protection, high-visibility clothing, hearing protection where required, and sturdy footwear. First aid kits are provided on-site and at vehicle bases; nominated first-aiders are assigned to each work crew. Emergency procedures include clear arrangements for contacting emergency services, reporting incidents, and managing serious injuries, while ensuring the continued safety of passers-by and colleagues.

Workplace controls and environmental practice. We adopt measures to protect the environment and local residents during hedge work. This includes containment of trimmings, careful disposal of green waste, minimising dust and debris, and scheduling noisy operations at appropriate times. When cutting near wildlife habitats, additional precautions are taken to avoid disturbance during nesting season, and any suspected protected species findings are handled per agreed biodiversity protocols.

Public safety, traffic and site management

Public protection is integral to our approach. For verge-side or communal hedges we use physical barriers, cones and signage to guide pedestrians and cyclists safely around the work area. When hedge cutting affects roadways or pavements, simple traffic management measures are put in place to provide safe access and to prevent accidental contact with equipment. Operatives must maintain clear sightlines and communicate with the public in a courteous and informed manner.

Incident reporting and continuous improvement. All accidents, near misses and safety concerns are recorded promptly and investigated to identify root causes and corrective actions. Lessons learned are fed back into training, risk assessments and method statements. Regular safety audits and toolbox talks reinforce safe behaviours and help maintain a culture of continuous improvement within our hedge maintenance teams.

Controls, monitoring and review. The policy is reviewed periodically and updated to reflect changes in equipment, legislation or operational practice for hedge services. Key controls include:

• Pre-task risk assessments and documented method statements for hedge reductions and shaping.
• Competency-based training and supervised on-the-job coaching for all hedge cutting personnel.
• Routine equipment checks, maintenance logs and safe fuel and battery handling procedures.
• Use of appropriate PPE, traffic controls and public protection measures during works.
• Robust incident reporting, investigation and corrective action processes.

Summary and responsibilities: Management commits resources to ensure safety controls are effective for hedge cutting Marylebone-wide and that staff and contractors are supported to work safely. Everyone on site must act responsibly: follow instructions, wear required PPE, stop work if a situation is unsafe and report hazards. By embedding these principles we aim to deliver high-quality hedge maintenance, preserve public safety and minimise environmental impact while operating across the local service area.

Policy adoption and communication: This safety policy is issued to all employees and is available for contractors before work begins. It forms part of the induction for new starters and is highlighted during regular refresher briefings. Management will monitor compliance with the policy through site checks, incident trend analysis and periodic reviews to ensure the safe delivery of hedging and hedge care services in Marylebone and surrounding neighbourhoods.