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Hedge Trimming Barbican — Health & Safety Policy

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This Health and Safety policy sets out the commitments of our gardening team delivering hedge trimming Barbican and related green maintenance services. It applies to all operatives, sub-contractors and site managers engaged in hedge care work, and covers planning, risk control and ongoing monitoring of operational activities. Our aim is to protect staff, clients, members of the public and the environment through clear duties, safe systems of work and regular review. The policy supports a culture where safety is integral to high-quality Barbican hedge maintenance and professional service delivery.

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All personnel must understand their responsibilities under this document. Management will maintain adequate resources, training and supervision, while employees are expected to follow instructions, report hazards and use personal protective equipment (PPE). Our approach is preventive and collaborative: practical measures are emphasised over paperwork, and learning from incidents is encouraged. The policy is applicable to routine and non-routine jobs, including complex pruning, boundary hedge reduction and safety-critical cutting near footpaths or roads.

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Risk assessments and method statements are completed before all hedge operations. Identified hazards include working at height, use of powered hedge trimmers and chainsaws, manual handling, traffic interaction and presence of wildlife or nesting birds. Controls include:

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• site-specific risk assessment and recorded safe system of work;
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• PPE such as cut-resistant gloves, eye protection, hearing protection and hi-vis clothing;
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• pre-start equipment inspection and maintenance schedules;
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• exclusion zones, barriers and traffic management where required;
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• monitoring for protected species and nesting seasons and adjusting work timing accordingly.
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nThese measures support safe delivery of hedge maintenance services across the Barbican service area while respecting ecology and local amenity.

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Operational Safety and Procedures

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Operational controls require that only authorised, trained operatives carry out hedge trimming in Barbican settings. Plant and tools must be appropriate to the task and used in accordance with manufacturers' guidance. A competency-based approach is adopted for high-risk tasks such as elevated trimming or the use of petrol-powered cutters. Supervisors will ensure work assignments, permit-to-work where necessary, and emergency contingency arrangements are in place. We emphasise clear communication between teams, particularly when multiple crews operate in adjacent properties or public spaces.

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Emergency protocols include first-aid provision, rapid incident reporting, and evacuation procedures tailored to each site. All operatives are briefed on nearest medical facilities and the location of rescue equipment; however, medical contacts are not listed here. Accident investigation is carried out promptly to identify root causes and corrective actions. Where third-party hazards are present — for example utilities near boundary hedges — work is coordinated with the responsible parties and documented in the job file.

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Wildlife and Environmental Considerations

The policy recognises the need for sensitive timing of hedge work to protect nesting birds, bats and other fauna. Pre-start checks for wildlife are mandatory and work is deferred or modified if protected species are present. Waste management practices minimise environmental impact: green waste is segregated, recycled or composted where possible, and spill-control measures are in place for fuels and lubricants. Noise and dust are managed to limit disturbance to neighbours and local businesses in the service area.

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Equipment maintenance is central to safe hedge trimming services. Powered tools receive routine servicing, guards and safety devices are regularly inspected, and portable electrical equipment is PAT-tested as appropriate. A log of inspections and defects is maintained and defective items are quarantined until repaired. Manual tools are kept sharp and fit for use to reduce force requirements and the risk of injury. Vehicles used to transport crews and equipment are checked for roadworthiness and load security prior to departure.

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Supervision and training are continuous: new staff receive induction covering this policy and operational procedures, and refresher sessions are delivered on a planned cycle. We document training outcomes and maintain records of qualifications relevant to hedge care in Barbican environments, such as chainsaw use, first aid and work-at-height competency. Regular toolbox talks address seasonal risks, changes to sites and lessons learned from incidents.

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Contractors and sub-contractors are required to meet our safety standards before undertaking any work. Insurance arrangements, if relevant to a particular job, are verified by management but are not detailed here. Performance is measured through on-site checks, client feedback (separately collected), incident statistics and internal audits. A commitment to continuous improvement means that procedures are reviewed annually or sooner if law changes, significant incidents occur, or improvements are identified in daily operations. The policy is endorsed by senior management and communicated to all staff and contractors to ensure consistency of approach.

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