Health and Safety Policy for Tree Surgeons Lewisham

This health and safety policy sets out the standards, responsibilities, and working practices expected of tree surgeons in Lewisham and throughout every site we attend. Our aim is to protect employees, contractors, clients, the public, and property by controlling risk before, during, and after tree work. Arboriculture is a high-risk profession, so safe systems of work are not optional; they are a core part of every job. We commit to maintaining a culture where hazard awareness, proper planning, and disciplined work methods come first.

All tree surgery activities must be carried out by competent personnel who understand the equipment, the environment, and the specific hazards involved. This includes climbing, pruning, dismantling, stump grinding, log handling, and use of powered machinery. Tree surgeon safety depends on preparation, communication, and the consistent use of appropriate controls. Every member of the team has a duty to stop work if conditions become unsafe.

Before any task begins, a suitable and sufficient risk assessment must be completed. This assessment identifies hazards such as falling branches, unstable trees, hidden decay, overhead services, moving traffic, noise, dust, and adverse weather. Where necessary, a method statement will be produced to define the safest sequence of work. These documents are reviewed whenever conditions change, and they remain central to safe tree surgery operations.

Responsibilities and Safe Working Standards

Management is responsible for ensuring that equipment is maintained, staff are trained, and suitable procedures are in place. Supervisors must verify that personal protective equipment is worn, work zones are controlled, and team members understand their duties. Employees must follow instructions, use equipment correctly, and report defects, near misses, and incidents immediately. Lewisham tree surgeons are expected to work with professionalism and respect for public safety at all times.

Personal protective equipment is compulsory wherever required by the task. This may include helmets with chin straps, eye protection, ear defenders, chainsaw trousers, gloves, protective boots, and high-visibility clothing. PPE must be inspected before use and replaced if damaged or worn. However, PPE is only one part of the defence; safe technique, correct equipment, and site control remain equally important.

A key principle of this policy is that no tree work should begin until the site has been made as safe as reasonably practicable. The area below the work zone must be secured, and members of the public should be kept out of danger through barriers, signage, or timed access controls. When working near roads, paths, gardens, or occupied buildings, extra care is required to prevent harm from falling debris, sawdust, timber movement, and machinery noise.

Equipment, Training, and Risk Control

All tools and machinery must be suitable for the job and kept in safe working condition. Chainsaws, pole saws, wood chippers, stump grinders, lowering devices, ropes, and climbing gear must be checked before use and maintained in line with manufacturer guidance. Faulty equipment must be removed from service immediately. Tree surgery safety relies on reliable equipment that performs as expected under demanding conditions.

Training is essential for safe practice. Every operative must be competent in the use of the tools and techniques required for their role, and higher-risk tasks must only be performed by those with the relevant experience. Refresher instruction should be provided where changes in equipment, procedures, or legislation occur. New or less experienced staff must be supervised until competence is demonstrated.

Working at height is one of the most significant risks in arboriculture. Climbers must use approved climbing systems, secure anchor points, and appropriate rescue arrangements. A rescue plan must be in place before any ascent begins. Where a task can be completed from the ground or through mechanical access, those methods should be considered first. This approach reduces exposure to danger while maintaining effective service delivery.

Site Conditions, Environmental Awareness, and Emergency Action

Weather conditions can change tree work dramatically. High winds, heavy rain, lightning, ice, and poor visibility can all increase risk and may require work to pause or stop entirely. Slippery ground, unstable soil, and weakened tree structures can also affect safe access and cutting methods. Supervisors must monitor conditions continuously and adjust the plan when needed.

Work near utilities, structures, and traffic demands careful control. Overhead power lines, buried services, glass, conservatories, fences, and neighbouring properties should be identified before work starts. When risks cannot be eliminated, the job must be redesigned or postponed. Arborist health and safety depends on making prudent decisions, especially when the pressure to continue might compromise welfare.

In an emergency, the priority is to protect life. First aid equipment must be available on site, and at least one suitably trained person should be present where reasonably practicable. Emergency procedures should cover serious injury, entrapment, fire, vehicle incidents, and uncontrolled tree movement. All incidents, however minor they may seem, must be recorded and reviewed so that lessons can be learned and future risks reduced.

Monitoring, Review, and Continuous Improvement

This policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains effective, practical, and aligned with current working practices. Inspections, incident reports, equipment checks, and staff input all help identify opportunities for improvement. Where weaknesses are found, corrective actions will be taken promptly and documented appropriately.

We also expect every worker to contribute to a safe culture by speaking up about unsafe conditions, suggesting improvements, and challenging practices that may expose people to unnecessary harm. Tree surgeon health and safety is strongest when everyone takes responsibility, not just managers or supervisors. Safe work is a shared commitment.

By following this policy, tree work can be completed efficiently while keeping people and property protected. Whether the task involves pruning, crown reduction, sectional dismantling, or site clearance, the same standards apply: plan carefully, control hazards, use the right equipment, and work with care. Through consistent attention to safety, tree surgeons Lewisham can deliver professional results while reducing risk at every stage.