Safety standards:

At DS Trees, the Health and safety of our staff, clients and community is of the utmost importance. We’ve developed robust systems around safety including hazard analysis, accident and near miss reporting and management, Tool Box Meetings, equipment checks as well as staff training and participation. These systems have helped us maintain and excellent track record for workplace incidents. 

Our Commitment:

Tree work and arboriculture can be potentially a hazardous occupation. At DS Trees we understand this and take our responsibilities seriously. Health and safety is a complex subject with multiple areas that need to be considered. We ensure that all staff have a clear understanding of their health and safety needs. 

Safety Policies:

Our Health and safety policy is regularly updated to align with current legislations and procedures. We believe in proactive compliance to create a secure workplace. 

Training & Inductions:

All DS Trees Staff undergo a thorough induction process for safety when using equipment and machinery when they join the company. This process includes reviewing and understanding our health and safety manual as well as relevant codes of practice and an introduction to our safe work procedures. We provide one- on-one training for any specialised equipment that staff members are expected to use.

We extend the importance of induction to our commercial

Hazard Management:

Hazard analysis is pivotal in our safety approach. Our crews are trained to conduct a thorough hazard analysis of all work sites. Everyone on site is made aware of the hazards and how the risk will be mitigated. A copy of our on-site hazard analysis is available on request by our clients. DS Trees also keeps an extensive register of workplace hazards and how they can be minimised, isolated or eliminated.

Near miss & Accident reporting:

Reporting near misses is essential for continuous improvement of health and safety in our field. It is vitally important that near misses & accidents are properly reported to ensure that staff members learn from their experience and prevent the incident reoccurring. Elimination of any similar future near miss situations is critical to worker safety. It is a requirement of our Staff and work safe that all near miss and accidents are recorded, Any serious harm incident is reported to Worksafe New Zealand (Formerly OSH) so the matter can be externally investigated if required. We hold a register of record for all reports, clients have the option to receive their own copy.

First Aid:

All DS Trees Staff undergo regular first aid training and every crew has a qualified first aider and first aid kit. First aid kits are regularly checked and replenished. Each kit has a detailed checklist to ensure it always has what is needed.

Drug and alcohol testing:

Drugs and alcohol have no place within the workplace. DS Trees carries out random testing and is willing to make staff available for external testing if required for external contracts.

Safe work procedures:

Good procedures are an important part of our staff organisation and help to streamline the training process. We have developed safe work procedures for all major equipment and staff members are introduced to these during their initial induction. Procedures for any new machinery are developed with the help of the supplier or manufacturer.

Emergency procedures:

Emergency procedures are something everyone must know but hopefully never have to use. Emergency procedures are a critical aspect of our staff inductions. These procedures are highly visible and displayed in our main office alongside our operational policies. Every staff member has a copy of our health and safety manual. Onsite Tool Box meetings require a note of the nearest Hospital or accident and emergency location.

Vehicle and equipment checks:

Frequent vehicle and equipment checks are conducted and recorded by operational staff. To ensure consistent maintenance, trucks and machinery are assigned to specific individuals.