1. Hedgecutters

2. Learning outcomes
Recognise a range of machines maintain a range of machines Demonstrate safe operating procedures Leave a clean, tidy and safe site

3. Spot the mistakes

5. Health and safety Health and safety at work act 1974
The management of health and safety at work regulations 1999
Personal protective equipment regulations 1992
Manual handling operations regulations 1992

6. Provision and use of work equipment regulations 1998
Electricity at work act 1989
Noise at work act 1989
Wildlife and countryside act 1981
The control of vibration at work regulations 2005

7. Risk assessment Identify the hazards Specify who is at risk
Implement suitable control measures

8. Possible risks Flying debris Operator over reaching
Cutters coming into contact with the operator
Fire
Electric shock (mains operated versions)

9. Types of hedgecutters Single sided petrol Double sided petrol
Long handled petrol
Electric
Battery powered

10. Single sided

11. Double sided

12. Long handled

13. electric

14. Battery powered

15. Pruning groups
Group 1
Upright plants e.g. hawthorn, privet, box, escallonia
Group 2
Bushy plants e.g. beech, hornbeam, hazel, forsythia and ribes
Group 3
Conifers and most evergreens e.g. Lawson cypress, leylandi, yew, cherry laurel, cotoneaster and pyracantha

16. Formal hedge

17. Informal hedge

18. Hedge types and growth habits
Formal hedge
A closely controlled form which is clipped more than once in the current growing season
Informal hedge
A hedge that is clipped only once during the current growing season
Native hedge
An informal or formal hedge containing a mixture of plants native to the united kingdom

19. Group 1 Upright plants Hawthorn – formal in summer and the autumn
Privet – formal twice or three times during the growing season
Box – formal twice or three times during the growing season

20. Group 2 Bushy plant Beech – formal once in the late summer – august
Hornbeam – formal, once in mid to late summer

21. Group 3 Conifers and evergreens
Lawson cypress – formal, spring and summer
Leylandi – formal up to three times in the growing season
Yew – formal, twice , once in august and late autumn
Cherry laurel – formal, twice during the growing season
Native hedge – pruned with consideration for the needs of wildlife

22. Personal protective equipment

23. Health and safety features
All moving parts to be guarded
Positive on off switch
Elastostart pull toggle
Exhaust pointing away from the operator
Rubber handle grips

24. Cont….. Throttle interlock Rubber grips on the shaft
Safety decal stickers
Adjustable cutting head lever
Scabbard/cover for the blades

25. Pre start checks
Student activity Observe the demonstration Safely carry out pre start checks

26. Fuel mixing
50:1 ratio = 5 litres of fuel to 100ml of oil

27. Routine maintenance procedures
Student activity
Observe the demonstration
Safely carry out routine maintenance

28. Maintaining the blade Student activity Observe the demonstration
Safely carry out blade maintenance

29. Cleaning the hedgecutters
Advantages
Prevent corrosion
Facilitate maintenance and adjustments
Prevent personal contamination

30. Factors to consider when cleaning the hedgecutter
Using appropriate PPE
Removing unwanted residues using appropriate methods:
Compressed air
Degreasing agent
Hose and water (not on electrical powered)
brush

31. Reason for inspecting the hedgecutters
Any missing, damaged or worn parts
Ensures the defects can be rectified before hedgecutter is required again for use

32. Site environment assessment
Site visit to hedge to assess the environmental factors to consider prior to hedge cutting