Health & Safety
Caledonian Tree Services
Health & Safety
Health & Safety
Health & Safety is very important in all industries and walks of life. In Forestry and Arboriculture this especially true due to the machinery we use (Chainsaws, chippers, etc) working at height and working with very large heavy objects (Trees & timber).
At Caledonian Tree Services we take our duty of care very seriously. We employ a specialist consultant (HSE Solutions Glasgow) to ensure we are kept up to date with all relevant legislation. The assess our yard and operations on an annual basis.
All of our staff are trained and assessed as competent by the recognised industry body (NPTC) before they carry out any technical operations. As part of AAAC all health and safety paperwork is inspected, all certification of staff is inspected, site operations are inspected – a very thorough way to ensure we are meeting the requirement of Health & Safety at Work Legislation.
We are also signed up members to FISA (Forest Industry Safety Accord) which was introduced to improve H&S and reduce the accident rate in British Forestry.
All larger scale jobs will have written Risk Assessment and Method Statements produced prior to works commencing. On smaller scale / domestic works, the operators will adhere to al machinery risk assessments and also discuss their risk assessment approach to your works on site before commencing.
We are insured for £10,000,000 for Public Liability Insurance We are insured for £10,000,000 For Employers Liability Insurance We also hold Professional Indemnity Insurance which means we are insured to carry out tree inspections and offer advice to customers.
On request we can supply copies of our risk assessments, method statements and LOLER, PUWER, PPE inspection, COSHH and RIDDOR Assessments. The following legislation applies to this industry:
- Working at Height Regulations 2005
- Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
- Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002
- Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998
- Provision and use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
- Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992
- Manual Handling Operations 1992
- Noise at Work Regulations 1989
- Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995
- Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
- Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997
Accreditations
THE FOREST INDUSTRY SAFETY ACCORD
FISA (Forest Industry Safety Accord) The forest industry is one of the most dangerous sectors in which to work in the UK.
Representatives from many of the leading industry organisations joined together to form a steering group. Together we have developed a Forest Industry Safety Accord (FISA) which sets out the commitment that each organisation, and the sector at large, can make to raise the standard of health and safety in their place of work.
As a FISA registered Company, we agree to commit to improving Health & safety within our business. Our responsibilities include ensuring we are following all relevant and current Industry guidance and best practice, making sure all operators have update Chainsaw training every 5 years and undergoing Continuing professional development.
Caledonian Tree Services has been a FISA registered business since 2014.
The Arboricultural Association
AAAC (The Arboricultural Association Approved Contractor scheme) ‘The ARB Approved Contractor scheme offers a recognised benchmark for arboricultural contracting throughout the UK and Ireland and is increasingly required by Local Authorities and other large commercial organisations. ARB Approved Contractor is also of benefit in the domestic sector as a quality mark assuring the client of good quality tree care undertaken safely and efficiently.’ (www.trees.org.uk)
The scheme involves a rigorous and in-depth audit of all aspects of our business. Every 2 years over a two day visit we have our office and yard inspected. The audit includes looking through all of our health & safety paperwork, operator certification, machinery inspections, Insurances, training & continuing professional development.
They also visit us on site whilst carrying out works to assess safety, skill, competence and ensure we are working to Industry best practice. They will also visit at least two previously completed jobs.
Caledonian Tree Services has been an AA Approved contractor since 2014.
CHAS
CHAS (Contractors Health & Safety Assessment Scheme) The Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme Is an authority and trusted advisor on health and safety compliance. Their accreditation scheme acts as a pre-qualification tool during many tender processes. CHAS accreditation is mainly required for working within the construction industry.
To be CHAS accredited an assessment of our companies Health & Safety policies & procedures and also the company’s financial standing are carried out by a qualified assessor.
Caledonian Tree Services has been CHAS accredited since 2010.