Hedge Cutting & Trimming Risk Assessment Template

Typical hazards & measures

• Manual handling — Assess weight and reach of trimmers and waste; use lighter battery tools where feasible. Share lifts of bulky bags; cut hedge into manageable sections. Keep loads close, bend knees, avoid twisting. Provide trolleys or drag sheets and schedule micro-breaks.
• Plant toxicity and thorns — Identify species such as yew, laurel and privet; avoid ingesting sap, wash skin promptly, and wear long sleeves and eye protection. Handle thorny or spiny species with tough gloves and forearm guards. Collect arisings carefully; keep food/drink away from work area to prevent contamination.
• Traffic interface — For roadside hedges, implement a traffic management plan: signage, cones and safe working corridors in line with highway codes. Use high-visibility PPE, spotters, and vehicle beacons. Schedule off-peak work, position vehicles to shield crews, and maintain clear escape routes from live traffic.
• Operator competence and fitness for task — Verify training/assessment for handheld hedge cutters (e.g., NPTC/LANTRA) and supervise new starters. Check fitness for overhead/repetitive work and HAVS exposure; restrict solo use of long-reach tools until assessed; refresh training and tool-specific inductions.
• Fatigue and time pressure — Plan realistic workloads, rotate tasks and mandate breaks. Encourage operators to pause when concentration dips; prohibit long shifts with vibrating tools. Use checklists to reduce cognitive load. Supervisors should adjust targets rather than tolerating unsafe pace.