1. Have a suitable first aid kit on hand at the work site (see below).
  2. Take care with billhooks, slashers, axes and saws. Tools have to be sharp to do the job properly, but this makes them potentially dangerous. Billhooks in particular must be razor sharp to cut pleachers cleanly and without dangerous effort. Take great care when using, carrying or sharpening them. Keep a safe distance from other workers when using edged tools. As a guide, this distance should be 3 times the length of the arm and the tool, measured from each worker. Never use a tool in such a way that you or someone else will be injured if it slips. When working in a group, do not wear a glove on the gripping hand whilst using a tool such as an axe or billhook.
  3. Do not use a power chain saw unless you have been trained in their use. Use of chain saws on projects covered by TCV insurance requires operators to have a TCV Card and to comply with the TCV Code of Practice on chain saw use.
  4. Do not work in soaking rain. Once gloves, tools, the ground and the trees become wet, the dangers of slipping and hurting yourself become too great.
  5. Wear suitable tough clothing (see below). Thorns and brambles are a constant hazard. Most vulnerable are hands and wrists, followed by knees and face. If clearing a badly overgrown hedge, goggles should be worn to protect the eyes.
    Attend to splinters promptly. Don’t ignore even the smallest, as they can cause serious infection, with blackthorn a particular problem. go to a surgery or casualty department for treatment if you have any serious pain or swelling.
  6. Be careful with the fire if you are burning trimmings. Build it downwind of the hedge and a few metres from it. Keep it small and well packed down. Make sure that someone equipped with a pitchfork is responsible for watching over it at all times. do not leave the site until the fire is down to embers, and you are certain that it will not spread.
  7. Keep tools and equipment out of the way of cattle and other stock.

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