Health and Safety Policy for Tree Surgeons Hernehill

This health and safety policy sets out the standards expected from all personnel involved in tree surgery, arboricultural maintenance, and related site operations. The aim is to protect workers, clients, the public, and property while ensuring that every task is planned, controlled, and completed responsibly. Our approach recognises that tree work can involve complex risks, including working at height, chainsaw use, falling branches, manual handling, and changing weather conditions. Therefore, every project must be assessed carefully before work begins.

Tree surgeons in Hernehill are expected to follow safe systems of work at all times. This includes using suitable equipment, wearing appropriate personal protective equipment, and stopping work when conditions become unsafe. A culture of prevention is central to this policy. All team members must remain alert, communicate clearly, and take responsibility for their own actions as well as the safety of others nearby. Safety is not optional; it is part of professional practice.

Before any job starts, a risk assessment must be completed and reviewed on site. This assessment should identify hazards such as unstable trees, overhead services, access issues, falling timber, or public exposure. Controls must then be put in place to reduce those risks to an acceptable level. In many cases, this will include setting exclusion zones, selecting the right climbing or access method, and confirming that equipment is suitable for the task. Nothing should proceed until the site is understood.

Operational Duties and Safe Working Practices

All tree surgeons must be trained and competent for the work they carry out. Competence includes understanding pruning, dismantling, felling, stump work, aerial rescue readiness, and the safe use of saws and rigging equipment. Supervisors must ensure that tasks are allocated according to skill level and that no one is asked to perform duties beyond their training. Where a task requires specialist knowledge, additional support or a revised method statement must be arranged. This helps maintain consistency and reduces the chance of error.

Personal protective equipment must be worn correctly and maintained in good condition. Standard items may include helmets with visors or eye protection, hearing protection, chainsaw-resistant trousers, gloves, and suitable boots. The exact selection depends on the task being carried out, but no worker should start unless their equipment is fit for purpose. Damaged PPE must be reported and replaced. High standards of presentation and preparation support high standards of safety.

Equipment inspection is essential. Chainsaws, climbing gear, ropes, harnesses, lowering devices, and cutting tools must be checked before use and withdrawn immediately if defective. A systematic approach to maintenance helps prevent failures during operations. Where machinery is used, guards and safety features must remain in place. Fuel handling must be controlled to prevent spills, fire risk, and unnecessary exposure. Operators should also be aware of vibration, noise, and exhaust emissions, and should use equipment in the safest practical manner.

Site Control, Communication, and Emergency Response

Tree surgery often takes place in active environments, so site control is critical. Barriers, signage, and clear instructions should be used to keep unauthorised people away from the work area. The public must never be allowed to stand beneath ongoing operations or enter restricted zones. When work is near roads, paths, buildings, or utilities, additional precautions must be taken to manage traffic, protect surfaces, and reduce the chance of damage. Good planning helps keep the work efficient and orderly.

Communication between team members is vital, especially when using machinery or working at height. Clear commands, agreed signals, and regular checks should be used to confirm that everyone understands the next step. If visibility is poor or noise levels are high, work should pause until communication can be made safe. A well-managed arborist safety policy depends on teamwork, not assumption. Each person must know who is supervising, what the task is, and when it is safe to continue.

Emergency arrangements must be established before work begins. First aid equipment should be available and accessible, and at least one competent person should be present where possible. Procedures must be in place for incidents such as falls, cuts, chainsaw injuries, entrapment, fire, or contact with services. In the event of an emergency, work must stop, the area secured, and help requested without delay. All incidents, including near misses, should be recorded and reviewed so that lessons can be learned and improvements made.

Responsibilities, Welfare, and Environmental Care

One of the last priorities in any tree surgery health and safety policy is ensuring that welfare and fitness for work are respected. Fatigue, illness, dehydration, stress, and impairment from alcohol or drugs can all reduce concentration and increase risk. Workers must be fit for duty and take breaks when needed. Hydration, rest, and sensible pacing are especially important during physically demanding tasks. Management should encourage honest reporting of concerns so that action can be taken before safety is affected.

Environmental responsibility also supports safe practice. Care should be taken to avoid unnecessary damage to nesting wildlife, surrounding vegetation, soil structure, and drainage. Waste timber, brash, fuel containers, and other materials must be managed neatly to prevent trip hazards and obstruction. Where possible, operations should be planned to minimise disruption and keep the work area tidy. An orderly site is not only more professional; it is significantly safer for everyone involved.

All workers, from supervisors to trainees, share responsibility for maintaining a safe system of work. Hazards must be reported immediately, unsafe practices challenged respectfully, and instructions followed consistently. Good safety habits should be reinforced through briefings, inspections, and ongoing review. This policy will be updated when work methods change, new equipment is introduced, or incidents highlight the need for improvement. Continuous attention to safety helps ensure that tree surgeons can deliver reliable, controlled, and professional services without compromising wellbeing.

Policy Review and Commitment

This policy reflects a commitment to best practice across all arboricultural activities. It applies to routine maintenance, sectional dismantling, crown work, emergency call-outs, and other operations associated with tree surgeon safety. Everyone involved is expected to understand these standards and work in a way that protects people, property, and the quality of the service. Safety is built into every stage of the job, from initial assessment to final site clearance.