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System · 106 documentsPart of Home Care Services OHS-WHS Industry Suite

Hedge Trimmer

SOP · SOP-60109

  • Version 4

The Hedge Trimmer Safe Operating Procedure (SOP) provides step-by-step instructions for the safe operation and maintenance of hedge trimmers, promoting workplace safety.

It covers the hazards (noise, flying material, blades, fuel and fire), the PPE to wear, a pre-operational inspection, precautions and operator training, the operating steps from start-up to completion, maintenance including lockout/tagout, gardening safety tips, fire equipment and first aid, and fuelling.

A hazard checklist for powered non-mobile plant helps identify and manage the risks of the machine.

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Preview of the Hedge Trimmer SOP

Hedge Trimmer

SOPVersion 4

Acronyms

  • LOTO - Lockout/Tagout.

  • PPE - Personal Protective Equipment.

  • SOP - Safe Operating Procedure.

Hedge trimmer cutting a clipped hedge, operator wearing red and grey gloves

Hazards

What can cause harm?

  • Noise

  • Flying/ejected materials

  • Blades/cutters

  • Hazardous chemicals

  • Fire

  • Static electricity – fuelling

  • Outdoor work

  • Insects and reptiles

  • Manual Handling

  • Vibration

Personal protective equipment

  • Foot Protection
  • Disposable Respirator
  • Eye Protection
  • Hand Protection
  • Protective Clothing
  • Hearing Protection
  • Face Protection

Pre-operational inspection

Follow the pre-operational checklist in the manufacturer's operational manual

Inspect equipment:

  • Blade lock operates correctly

  • Stop switch for ease of operation

  • Spark plug lead is secure

  • Throttle trigger and interlock operate smoothly

  • No dust build-up

  • Cutting blades are clean, sharp and secure

  • No loose bolts on the bar

  • Trimmer is free from oil and dust build up

  • All the safety devices are operational.

Precautions

All operators are to be trained and competent to safely operate a hedge trimmer. Operator training should include:

  • Workplace induction

  • Safe operating procedures

  • Manufacturer's instructions

  • Nature of hazards

  • Fitting of PPE

  • Manual handling

  • Housekeeping

  • First Aid

Operation

5 more sections, from Gardening safety tips to Hazard checklist (powered non-mobile plant)

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What it covers

11 sections

  1. Hazards
  2. Personal protective equipment
  3. Pre-operational inspection
  4. Precautions
  5. Operation
  6. Gardening safety tips
  7. Fire equipment and first aid
  8. Fuelling
  9. Maintenance
  10. Hazard checklist (powered non-mobile plant)

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