Health and Safety Policy for Hedge Trimming Edmonton Services

Purpose: This policy sets out the principles and procedures for safe hedge trimming and related green maintenance across our service area. It applies to all employees, contractors and subcontractors involved in hedge care and hedge trimming in Edmonton and surrounding districts. Our objective is to reduce harm, protect property and maintain high standards of safe working practices while delivering professional Edmonton hedge trimming services.

Scope and Principles

The policy covers routine hedge maintenance, one-off pruning jobs, boundary hedge work and specialist shaping operations. We commit to: complying with good industry practice, assessing hazards, providing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and ensuring operators are competent. This document emphasises risk control for vegetation work, machinery use, ladder and elevated work, traffic management and the safe disposal of cuttings.

Responsibilities

Management must ensure that safe systems of work are implemented, that risk assessments are current, and that suitable training and equipment are provided. Managers will conduct regular inspections and reviews of the hedging teams to verify compliance with this Hedge Trimming Edmonton safety policy.

Supervisors and Crew Leaders are responsible for task planning, permitting where required, site-specific briefings, ensuring use of PPE and enforcing exclusion zones. They must confirm that operators are trained in tool use, machinery safety and emergency procedures for incidents such as cuts, falls or unexpected contact with utilities.

Workers must follow safe systems of work, report hazards or near misses, use provided PPE and not operate equipment unless trained and authorised. It is essential that staff undertaking hedge maintenance Edmonton tasks maintain situational awareness and follow exclusion zone rules.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems

Before work begins a documented risk assessment will be carried out covering: overhead and underground services; proximity to roads, pedestrians and private property; presence of wildlife or nesting birds; access limitations and weather conditions. Control measures should be proportionate, practical and recorded on site. For more complex Edmonton hedge trimming tasks, a site-specific method statement will be prepared.

Key controls include:

• Tool and equipment checks: Daily pre-use checks, maintenance and secure transport of power hedgers, shears, chainsaws and ladders.
• PPE: Safety helmets, eye protection, high-visibility clothing, cut-resistant gloves, chainsaw chaps and sturdy footwear.
• Exclusion zones and traffic controls: Cones, signage and banksman where vehicles or public access are nearby.

Working at Height and Machinery

Where work requires ladders or elevated platforms, the lowest risk option will be used. Ladders are only permitted for short-duration tasks when secured and supervised. Mobile elevating work platforms must be operated by trained personnel and inspected before use. All petrol-driven and electric tools should be used with residual current devices (RCDs) where appropriate and maintained in line with manufacturer guidance.

Emergency and Incident Procedures include first aid provision, clear protocols for contacting emergency services and procedures for incident recording and investigation. All crews must carry a first aid kit, a means of communication and have access to the site emergency plan. Severe injuries, uncontrolled incidents or near misses will be reported and reviewed to prevent recurrence.

Training, Competence and Review

Training is mandatory for anyone involved in hedge trimming operations. Training covers safe hedge trimming practices, chainsaw use and maintenance, safe use of handheld and powered equipment, manual handling, wildlife awareness and traffic management where required. Workers will receive periodic refresher training and on-the-job competency checks to ensure consistent standards for Edmonton hedge maintenance.

The policy will be reviewed at least annually and after any significant incident, regulatory change or introduction of new equipment or techniques. Management will monitor performance through site inspections, toolbox talks and risk assessment audits. Continuous improvement and staff engagement are central to our approach.

Environmental and Public Safety Considerations

We adopt practices to protect the urban and suburban environment: timing work to avoid protected nesting seasons where possible, controlling dust and debris, and ensuring that cuttings are removed or mulched responsibly. Where work is adjacent to footpaths or roads, clear signage and barriers will protect the public. Our approach balances efficient Edmonton hedge trimming delivery with care for neighbours and biodiversity.

Compliance: This policy aligns with general health and safety best practice for landscaping and arboriculture operations and is supported by local authority expectations across our service region. It does not replace statutory guidance but sets company standards for safe hedge trimming services.

Commitment: We are committed to providing a safe working environment and to continually improving safety performance for everyone involved in hedge care and pruning operations. Adherence to this policy is a condition of employment and engagement on all jobs.