Health & Safety
Health and safety is a very important consideration for Woodserve.
In all our operations we regard the safety of our employees and members of the public to be the highest priority. The ‘Contractors Health and Safety Scheme’, or CHAS as it known, is a government implemented scheme to ensure health and safety systems are in place. Here at Woodserve we are proud to say we are an accredited contractor.
For each contract we carry out risk assessments that identify the hazards and decide on control methods to be implemented. A method statement dictates how each process should be approached. There have been more than 350 accidents involving tree surgeons in the last 3 years. The key causes of these accidents are chainsaws, falls from height or being struck by falling timber / trees.
To help eliminate this we make sure that our operators are trained and competent to do the work, all equipment is in good condition and that any faults are reported and that our employees use the personal protective equipment provided in the correct manner.
All of our employees are trained first aiders and all climbers are trained to perform aerial rescue.
Key areas of concern are:
- Working at height
- Working on the ground
- Lone working
- Working with chainsaws
- Aerial Tree Work
To help eliminate these issues we are constantly involved with training through the NPTC and LANTRA training organisations and all operatives are trained to perform the task required of them.
This is further implemented by following the HSE AFAG (Arboriculture & Forestry Advisory Group) AFAG is the Health and Safety Executive’, consisting of representatives from leading organisations involved in the ‘tree work’ industry. It exists to agree and produce guidance describing good practice for the tree-work industry. The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 places general duties on employers and the self-employed to provide health and safety training and information.
It is also a requirement to adhere to Management of Health and Safety At Work Regulations 1999. A number of regulations, including the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) and the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 (COPR), also require users of equipment to receive adequate training and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. For further information please visit the HSE website.