Health and Safety Policy for Tree Surgeons

This Health and Safety Policy sets out the principles, responsibilities, and working standards expected of our tree surgeons when carrying out arboricultural work. Our aim is to protect employees, contractors, clients, visitors, and members of the public from harm while maintaining a disciplined and professional approach to every task. Tree surgery involves unpredictable environments, elevated working positions, cutting equipment, falling timber, and changing weather conditions, so safe systems of work are essential at all times.

We are committed to identifying hazards before work begins and to applying effective controls throughout the job. Every site is assessed for risks such as unstable trees, overhead services, vehicle movement, restricted access, and ground conditions. The policy applies to all operations, including pruning, crown reduction, felling, stump work, sectional dismantling, and site clearance. All tree surgeons are expected to follow this policy as a condition of working safely and professionally.

Responsibility for health and safety is shared, but managers and supervisors hold particular duties in planning, training, monitoring, and reviewing performance. Workers must cooperate with instructions, use equipment correctly, and report concerns immediately. Where risks cannot be reduced to an acceptable level, work must be stopped until safer arrangements are in place. This principle supports both practical control and a strong safety culture.

Core Safety Principles

The tree surgery industry requires careful planning before a saw is started or a climber leaves the ground. A site-specific risk assessment must be completed to identify hazards and suitable controls. Where necessary, a method statement should describe the sequence of work, emergency arrangements, equipment use, and exclusion zones. These documents are not simply administrative records; they are part of how work is made safe and consistent.

All personnel must be competent for the tasks assigned to them. Competence includes training, experience, and the ability to recognise when conditions are unsafe. Workers should not undertake climbing, rigging, or machine operation unless they have been authorised and are physically fit for the task. Any signs of fatigue, illness, or impairment must be reported before work begins. Safe practice depends on clear communication, alertness, and respect for the limits of the individual.

Personal protective equipment is mandatory wherever there is a risk of injury. This may include helmets with chin straps, eye and ear protection, chainsaw trousers, gloves, protective boots, and high-visibility clothing. PPE must be inspected, maintained, and replaced when damaged or worn. It is an important final layer of defence, but it does not replace proper planning, positioning, and control of the work area.

Safe Working Practices

Tree surgeons must keep themselves and others clear of the danger area during cutting, lowering, and felling activities. Barriers, signage, and verbal warnings should be used where appropriate to control access. When working at height, all climbing systems and anchor points must be checked before use, and rigging arrangements should be selected to suit the load, tree condition, and surrounding environment. If the tree is decayed, storm-damaged, or structurally uncertain, additional precautions are required.

Equipment and Machinery

All tools, saws, ropes, lowering devices, and vehicles must be fit for purpose and maintained according to manufacturer guidance. Defective equipment must be removed from service immediately. Tree surgeons should inspect chainsaws before use, ensure guards and brakes function correctly, and confirm that fuel and oil are stored safely. Mechanical lifting or towing equipment must only be operated by trained personnel and within safe load limits. Good maintenance reduces downtime and significantly lowers the likelihood of accidents.

Traffic management may be necessary where work affects roads, pathways, or shared access points. Where vehicles or pedestrians could be exposed to risk, suitable controls must be established before work starts. This may include cones, signs, banksmen, or temporary route changes. Communication with others on site is essential so that no one enters an unsafe area or interferes with equipment during operations.

Emergency Preparedness and Incident Reporting

Emergency arrangements must be understood by everyone involved in tree surgery work. At least one person on site should know the response procedure for falls, cuts, entanglement, crushing, fire, and severe weather events. First aid provisions must be available and appropriate to the size and nature of the job. If an incident occurs, work must stop, the area must be made safe, and help should be summoned without delay. Quick, calm action can prevent a serious situation from becoming worse.

All accidents, near misses, and unsafe conditions must be reported and reviewed. This allows root causes to be identified and corrective action to be taken. Lessons learned should inform future planning, training, and supervision. A strong health and safety system depends on honesty and continual improvement rather than blame. Reporting is a professional duty and a practical tool for preventing repeat incidents.

Training, supervision, and consultation are central to this policy. New workers should receive induction covering site hazards, emergency procedures, PPE, equipment checks, and expected conduct. Supervisors must monitor compliance and provide instruction where standards are not being met. Consultation with workers helps identify practical improvements because those carrying out the work often spot risks first. Safety is most effective when it is treated as a shared responsibility.

Review and Continuous Improvement

This policy will be reviewed regularly to ensure it remains suitable for the activities undertaken and reflects current best practice. Reviews should consider changes in work methods, equipment, training needs, incident trends, and any new hazards that have emerged. Updates should be communicated clearly so that everyone understands their responsibilities and any revised controls.

The commitment of our tree surgeons is to carry out every task with care, discipline, and respect for the risks involved. By following these standards, we aim to protect people, preserve property, and maintain reliable service delivery. Safety is not a separate part of the job; it is part of quality work.

In summary, this policy reflects a practical, preventative approach to arboricultural safety. Through planning, competence, maintenance, communication, and continuous review, we support safer outcomes on every site and reinforce a culture where safe working is the norm rather than the exception.