Safety & Legal

Tree surgery can be a very high risk activity that requires extensive training and assessment and full compliance with Health and Safety legislation to keep these risks to a minimum.

Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1992 require formal, mandatory qualifications in the competent use of a chainsaw. These were some of the earliest certifications we obtained pertaining to the use and maintenance of a chainsaw on the ground and felling trees.

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 require mandatory qualifications in the use of a chainsaw in a tree and that all climbing equipment be fit for purpose. We use the best ropes and harnesses on the market and are fully trained and qualified in aerial rescue and the use of top handled chainsaws in a tree.

We always wear chainsaw protective trousers and boots along with helmets, ear defenders and eye protection in line with the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992. Thorough risk assessments are undertaken in line with the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and all of our climbing equipment is maintained in accordance with the Lifting and Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998.

Some Trees are protected by legislation administered by Local Planning Authorities. This can be in the form of a TPO (Tree Preservation Order) or a Conservation Area. These orders protect trees and areas deemed to add local amenity value and make it a criminal offence to work on these trees without the consent of the authorities.

The consent is subject to a six-week application process that we can handle for you, along with advice and guidance for proposed work.

Outside of these restrictions homeowners are free to prune or remove trees within their gardens as they see fit. Consideration must be given to actively nesting birds protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and conformity to the British Standard for Tree Work BS3998 is encouraged.