Our  Policies

AAT is an equal opportunities employer and our company policies adhere to the all of our statutory obligations under employment law and health and safety.  Our staff, client, visitors and sub-contractors are covered by our safety statement and a safe system of work. 

All About Trees has a robust health and safety policy in place.  All operations are carried out via a safe system of work.  Both our policies and our operations are audited annually by Holland TCS.  The audit involves a site visit followed by a review of all safety documentation site specific method statements and risk assessments.  The documentation review also includes a review and update of the company safety statement where required. 

The AAT safety management system includes the following knowledge sharing sessions at start of each shift, before work commences:

1. Review of site specific method statement and risk assessment 

2. Update of risk assessment with any environmental or new risk factors.

3. Tool box talk

4. Team roles assigned

5. All equipment is checked for wear and tear and is discarded and replaced if unsuitable for use.

In addition to the on-site safety briefings, the company sends out safety communications to the team by email and also holds regular in-house safety meetings.  These sessions allow the company to advise on specific safety issues and also gives the staff a platform to raise any safety concerns or process improvements which the company can then remedy or implement.

The Directors of All About Trees Ltd acknowledge their responsibilities under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005 (hereafter referred to as ‘the Act’) and any regulations made there under. In accordance with the requirements of the Act “All About Trees Ltd” is committed to providing, so far as is reasonably practicable, a safe and healthy work environment for all All About Trees Ltd employees and to meet its responsibilities under the Act in relation to employees, clients and visitors.

In accordance with Section 20 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005 Act; The Safety, Health and Welfare at work (General Application) Regulations 2007; The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013 and the Codes of Practice issued by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA).  

All About Trees Ltd is a fully insured company and ensures that all employees and contractors are NPTC qualified. Owner and principal climber Crawford Kidd is covered by Safepass number SP2/58923263160121 and NPTC number 00329711, all other members of staff will provide relevant documentation on the day of work.  It is All About Trees’ intention to provide, so far as is reasonably practicable, a safe and healthy working environment in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 2005 and all other associated legislation which remains effective and relevant.  All work is carried out to British Standard BS3998:2010.

All established and temporary employees and other directly contracted persons during the application of the contract and visitors whilst attending the company work location at the time of contract.  Our safety system ensures:

• Effective arrangements exist for communication, discussion and consultation on Health and Safety matters at all levels.

• Instituting and maintaining comprehensive safety assessments.

• Implementing a programme working towards the elimination of unsafe acts of omissions, foreseeable hazards, which may result in fires, security losses, damage to property, personal injuries/illnesses and occupational ill health.

• Setting and monitoring personal safety objectives throughout the company as appropriate.

• Fulfilling the company’s duty of care for contractors and visitors to work locations.

• The provision of adequate instruction, training and supervision to enable the work to be carried out safely.

• The provision of well maintained equipment and safe systems of work.

• The provision of suitable arrangements for safe use, handling storage and transport of articles and substances.

• The appointment of competent people to assist in meeting the company’s statutory duties including, where appropriate, specialists from outside agencies and organisations.

Our Quality Management system has been designed in line with Arboricultural best practice and is continually reviewed in order to remain up to date with the latest techniques & guidelines.

In order to ensure an on going capability to meet and where possible exceed the needs and expectations of our customers and to achieve our aim of continual improvements in the services that are provided, we are committed to the operation of an effective Quality Management System. To this end measurable objectives are established and their achievement monitored. 

Our work is always carried out by skilled, trained and competent individuals working in groups of not less than two and usually three or more at the work site as dictated by a task/job risk assessment.  All of our staff are fully qualified for the role they are carrying out.  At a minimum, each staff member holds NPTC tickets for chainsaw operations. All training requirements are captured in the staff training record which is updated quarterly.

For invasive plant species treatment, all operatives hold PA1 and PA6 pesticide application qualifications and are registered with the DAFM.  All contracts are overseen by a Consultant Ecologist and the choice of appropriate herbicide is guided by a registered Pesticide Advisor.

Tree work is potentially hazardous by nature.  The training in work procedures, safe systems of working and quality management systems ensure that the works are completed to a high standard, maintaining safety at all times.

All works procedures incorporate safe systems of working and form part of our internal quality control. These include the Arboricultural Association Forestry Advisory Group (AFAG) guidelines published by the HSE (UK), The Guide to Good Climbing Practice and The Guide to use of MEWPS in Arboriculture published by the Arboricultural Association.

All work procedures are planned and documented in the site specific method statement and risk assessment which are drawn up in advance of each contract.

Our work practices and procedures are governed by the British Standards for tree work, the main recommendations of which are listed below:

• BS 3998:2010 – Recommendations for Tree Work. 
• BS 4043:1989 – Recommendations for Transplanting Root-balled Trees. 
• BS 4428:1989 – Code of Practice for General Landscape Operations (excluding hard surfaces). 
• BS 5837:2005 – Trees in Relation to Construction. Recommendations. 
• BS 7370-4:1993 – Grounds maintenance. Recommendations for maintenance of soft landscape (other than amenity turf). 

We are a member of the Arboricultural Association for tree surgery and the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management for our work with invasive species. 

Our work on the management of invasive species is carried out using current best practice.   

All About Trees expects our clients to adhere to safe working practices and advise on any hazards which may impact the ability of All About Trees staff to perform safe work on site.  All About Trees endeavour to provide the highest standard of tree surgery and related services to our clients nationwide.

Our Quality Management system has been designed in line with Arboricultural best practice and  is  continually  reviewed  in  order  to  remain  up  to  date  with  the  latest  techniques  & guidelines.   

We achieved ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System certification in 

November 2021.

The system has been adopted by all employees and areas for change are  identified and actioned by each member of the team. Our system will be audited by an external third party which will affirm our goal to achieve an  improvements in productivity, safety and sustainability within our organisation. In order to ensure an on going capability to meet and where possible exceed the needs and expectations of our customers and to achieve our aim of continual improvements in the services  that are provided, we are  committed to the operation of an effective Quality Management  System. 

To this end measurable objectives are established and their achievement monitored. 

It is the policy of All About Trees Ltd to implement and maintain an effective environmental management system that meets the requirements of ISO 14001:2004. We take seriously our responsibility for environmental stewardship and believe that as a progressive arboricultural company we should play a constructive role in helping to address the challenges facing the environment.

All About Trees Ltd recognises that a healthy environment is essential for the good of society, people and our business. We feel that diverse, healthy natural resources are an important component of social and sustainable economic development. Trees and woodlands have a high ecological value in Ireland, and can support a range of rare and protected species. A vigorous and diverse tree population is vital to both water and air quality and to regulate the climate. A major challenge for modern society is to manage human demands on land, soil and vegetation without adversely affecting the environment.

We have defined our Environmental Policy to ensure it is appropriate to the nature, scale and environmental impacts of our activities, products and services.

We are committed to;

• Complying with all applicable legal requirements relating to the environment 

• Avoiding or minimising impacts on biodiversity

• Recycling all of our reusable wood, and minimising waste

• Managing our working areas and equipment in order to prevent pollution

• Promoting environmental principles throughout the supply chain

• Maintaining open communication links with our staff, clients and the public regarding any environmental issues concerning our operations

• Ensuring efficient use of energy, water and other natural resources

• Operating our business in the most environmentally beneficial way.

Environmental Control Measures

Biodiversity

Trees and woodlands have a high ecological value in Ireland, and can provide habitat for a range of protected fauna, as follows:

• Most birds rely on trees for nesting, roosting and as a source of food

• Bats can roost within mature trees, usually in cavities or broken limbs

• Squirrels and pine martens create structures in the forks of trees (known respectively as dreys and dens) to protect their young

All of these species are protected under the Wildlife Act 1976 (as amended), and bats are also protected under the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (as amended). In accordance with this legislation, it is an offence to kill or injure a protected species, or to damage or disturb their breeding or resting places. 

Our staff have been trained in the identification of protected fauna, and will consult an ecologist if any of these species are observed. Depending on the species present, the timescale for works and any safety considerations, we will develop a strategy to avoid impacts on protected fauna and ensure compliance with the law. Derogation licences will be obtained from the National Parks and Wildlife Service if required.

Pollution prevention measures

Many of our work takes place near rivers, drainage ditches, ponds or other waterbodies. In order to avoid pollution of these features, we implement the following measures:

• All of our equipment and vehicles are kept in good working condition

• No waste material is allowed to fall or flow into any waterbodies

• If we need to use vehicles near a waterbody, we used the following measures to control suspended sediments:

o We minimise vehicles movements in order to prevent disturbance of soil

o Surface water run-off is controlled using berms, swales, silt fences and soakaways

o We do not work on soft surfaces during periods of wet weather

• No equipment is re-fuelled within 10m of any waterbody. No fuel, oil or other hazardous materials will be stored near any waterbodies

If there is a requirement for detailed pollution-prevention measures we will seek advice from a specialist hydrologist.

Herbicide use

Where possible we try to avoid the use of herbicides or other chemicals. However, when controlling invasive non-native species (e.g. Japanese Knotweed) or noxious weeds (e.g. Ragwort), it is necessary to use herbicides. We take the following measures to limit our environmental impact:

• All of our herbicide operators have received comprehensive training

• Operators will review the health or environmental hazards listed on the manufacturer’s label or in accompanying documentation

• All operators will use appropriate personal protective equipment (suits, gloves, eye protection, face protection) as specified on the manufacturer’s label

• We favour the use of glyphosate-based herbicides, as they have low toxicity to humans and animals. Nonetheless, we always section off the treatment area using hazard tape or temporary fencing in order to prevent public access

• If working around streams, drains or ponds, we will only use herbicides that are approved for use around water (e.g. glyphosates)

• We use knapsack sprayers with focussed nozzles so that herbicides are applied directly to the target plants, and in order to minimise impacts on non-target plants

• We do not spray during windy or wet weather.

Noise

In order to avoid disturbance of local residents, we take the following measures to minimise noise during our work:

• All of our equipment and vehicles are kept in good working condition

• All work is conducted during standard business hours, usually from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm. If working in evenings, at night or weekends we will consult local residents in advance

• Where possible we try to use equipment that is fitted with silencers

• Equipment will be throttled down or turned off when not in productive use

Waste management

We produce some organic waste products during our tree surgery and horticultural work. Most of our waste products are processed as biomass.  We also spread woodchip on site or deliver it to an agreed receiving site such as farms, gardens or licenced waste facilities. 

Some non-organic waste is generated during our invasive species control work. Excess herbicide and used PPE is disposed of to a licenced waste facility.

All About Trees has an extensive environmental management system in place which governs all  of  our  operations  on  site  and  in  house.     

We  take  seriously  our  responsibility  for environmental  stewardship  and  believe  that  as  a  progressive  arboricultural  company  we should play a constructive role in helping to address the challenges facing the environment.

AAT  achieved  ISO  14001:2015  in  November  2021  following a comprehensive  audit  of  our environmental  considerations  when  working  on  site  and  at  home  in  our  green  waste processing yard.

AAT now has yard sites in Bray, Co Wicklow and Carbury, Co Kildare.  Works in the Dublin and Wicklow areas commence from the Bray yard reducing our carbon footprint with a shorter journey time to site.

The Carbury site is fully set up to process all of our green waste. 

The woodchip is stored and seasoned  before  being  transported  to  Edenderry  Power  Plant  where  it  is  converted  to electricity.  The large timber is processed into firewood and also chipped for biomass.  We are

fully sustainable and green from end to end of our business operations.