Hedge-cutting, whether it is carried out for aesthetics, road safety concerns or to maintain hedge integrity, is an important task. It is also a potentially very dangerous task. There are many associated dangers that can lead to a serious injury to the operator or persons in the vicinity of a hedge cutter. For that reason, it is important that the correct insurance cover is in place.

Equally as important as having the correct cover in place, before carrying out any works, is identifying hazards and taking steps to minimise them.

Small steps can go a long way to preventing any accidents or damage. That is why it is imperative a risk assessment is completed before any work is carried out.

The Health and Safety Authority’s (HSA) booklet, Guidance on the Safe Use of Tractors and Machinery on Farms, outlines the key safety concerns that surround the use of hedge cutters and ways to control them.

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Special focus: hedge-cutting 2017

There are three key categories that account for the majority of exposure to hazards that result in accidents or damage. They are the equipment, the operator and the public.

The equipment

Key hazards

  • Contact with overhead power lines.
  • Tractor overbalancing and overturning when machine arm is extended.
  • Safety controls

  • Before carrying out work check for overhead power lines.
  • Only competent and trained operators should be allowed to operate hedge cutters.
  • The operator

    Key hazards

  • Being struck by flying objects, ie machine parts or debris.
  • Getting caught up in the PTO shaft or other moving parts.
  • Entrapment between tractor and machine when hitching or unhitching.
  • Damaged hydraulic hoses causing injection of oil leading to skin and tissue damage.
  • Safety controls

  • Only competent and trained operators should be allowed to operate hedge cutters.
  • Ensure a safety screen is installed on the side and rear of the tractor to prevent injury to driver from flying objects.
  • Always ensure that the appropriate PPE is worn by all operators (eg gloves, safety boots, eye protection and hearing protection).
  • Replace any faulty or damaged parts on the machine.
  • The public

    Key hazards

  • Road traffic accidents.
  • Being hit by the cutting head or machine arm in motion.
  • Being struck by flying objects, ie machine parts or debris.
  • Safety controls

  • Before hedge cutting is carried out always ensure that each site is individually assessed and where visibility is limited, specific traffic management measures must be put in place to warn motorists of the potential danger.
  • Flagmen should be used where appropriate based on the risk assessment and they must always wear high-visibility vests/jackets.
  • Ensure appropriate warning signage is erected to warn workers, members of the public and oncoming traffic of the ongoing work.
  • Ensure that any debris that falls on to the road is immediately removed so as to prevent injury or damage to a third party or their property.
  • The Irish Farmers Journal spoke with Stewart Gavin, agricultural lines product manager at FBD Insurance, to highlight the insurance cover to consider in connection with hedge-cutting.

    The recommended minimum insurance for farmers and contractors who are engaged in hedge-cutting is outlined below. In all instances, it is recommended to discuss your individual requirements with your insurance adviser.

    Tractor insurance

  • Third party only, which users need to comply with under the terms of the Road Traffic Act.
  • Comprehensive cover is recommended, which will afford protection in the event of damage to the tractor or hedge cutter. Farm attachments such as hedge cutters need to be included.
  • Public liability

  • This will cover the legal liability of policyholders associated with third party injury and property damage.
  • Employers liability

  • This will cover the legal liability of the policyholder associated with injury or disease sustained by employees.
  • Personal accident

    While liability cover protects your liability to third parties, personal accident insurance provides specified financial benefits to a person should he/she be involved in an accident. Weekly benefits can provide an income during the injury period to offset the cost of employing additional labour to do the work normally undertaken by the insured person. The business activities undertaken must be declared to your insurer.

    Insurers may request details of activities undertaken to ensure the most appropriate policy is provided to customers such as wage roll, turnover, commercial hedge-cutting or farm only.

    Depending on the scale of hedge-cutting undertaken, the cover options above, are available under FBD’s farm multiperil or business multiperil products.*

    It is important to check with your insurance provider to review your cover and individual requirements to ascertain if you hold the appropriate protection to carry out hedge-cutting activities.

    *Terms, conditions and normal underwriting criteria apply. FBD Insurance plc is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.