Health and Safety Policy — Hedge Trimming Regents Park

This Health and Safety policy sets out the standards and procedures our gardening team follows when carrying out hedge trimming in Regents Park and surrounding service areas. It is designed to protect staff, contractors, visitors and the public while delivering professional Regents Park hedge trimming and maintenance services. The policy applies to all hedge care operations, from formative pruning to seasonal maintenance, and reflects a commitment to safe methods, competent personnel and well-maintained equipment.

All employees and operatives engaged in hedge maintenance in the Regents Park area must understand their duties. The company will ensure that risks are assessed, that control measures are implemented and that everyone is informed of safe working practices. This document outlines responsibilities, safe systems of work, emergency procedures and monitoring arrangements to maintain a high standard of health and safety for hedge trimming and related gardening activities.

Responsibilities and Management

Management is responsible for ensuring a safe working environment and for providing resources for training, PPE and equipment. Supervisors must conduct and record pre-start checks and confirm that operatives have the right level of competency for tasks like elevated hedge trimming or working near footpaths. Employees have a duty to follow instructions, report hazards and use issued protective equipment.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Risk assessments will be carried out for each site and task, including specific hazards such as slopes, confined areas, proximity to pedestrians and nearby utilities. Assessments will identify control measures, such as exclusion zones, signage and safe access. The chosen methods must reduce likelihood of injury and damage while allowing efficient Regents Park hedge care. Assessments will be reviewed when conditions change.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) and equipment controls are essential for safe operations. Operatives must wear appropriate PPE, which may include:

• Cut-resistant gloves
• Safety glasses or face protection
• High-visibility clothing
• Protective footwear and hearing protection

Tools such as shears, hedge trimmers and powered cutters must be checked before use, maintained to manufacturer standards and tested where applicable. Portable power equipment shall be used with suitable guards and isolation procedures for refuelling or maintenance.

Training and competence underpin safe delivery of hedge trimming services. All staff involved in hedge trimming Regents Park work will receive induction training, task-specific instruction and refresher courses. Training records are kept up to date and include instruction on manual handling, safe use of powered equipment, ladder use and working at height when required.

Safe working practices for public-facing operations are mandatory. When operating in public spaces the team will implement measures to protect passersby: cordoned exclusion zones, visible signage, traffic marshals where necessary and scheduled work at low-traffic times. Work near footways or park paths must ensure minimal disruption, with debris removed promptly and access maintained for emergency vehicles.

Environmental and site considerations are part of the policy. Hedge trimming work will be carried out with care to wildlife, nesting birds and established flora, applying seasonal restrictions and ecological best practice where required. Waste arisings are managed responsibly: green waste will be separated for composting or recycling and any hazardous materials handled in accordance with safe disposal procedures.

Incident reporting, emergency response and monitoring complete the safety framework. All incidents, near misses and hazards must be reported and recorded. Emergency procedures, including first aid and evacuation arrangements, are maintained on-site and personnel trained in immediate response. Regular audits, toolbox talks and site inspections will monitor compliance, enabling continuous improvement of safety standards for contractors providing hedge trimming services in and around Regents Park.