Stump grinding RAMS Builder

Risk assessment and method statement

Stump grinding, 4 Redwood Drive, Bramhall: rear lawn

Company

Hollins & Reed Tree Care Ltd

Site and work area

4 Redwood Drive, Bramhall: rear lawn

Planned dates

12 to 14 October 2026

In charge on site

Dan Hollins

Team

Two groundworkers: Dan Hollins operates the grinder and checks the area each morning; Priya Shah works with him.

Method statement

1. 1Set up the work areaConfirm the work area and scope before starting. Keep other people outside the active work area. Keep entrances and escape routes clear.
2. 2Assess the site and weatherCheck that the ground, weather, access and planned grinder suit the stump before setup. Stop if conditions change beyond the agreed method.
3. 3Check the stump before grindingRemove loose soil, stones, metal, wire and other material from around the cutting area. Do not grind until anything that could damage the cutter or be thrown has been dealt with.
4. 4Find and isolate hidden servicesFind cables and pipes before you disturb anything: drawings, then a detector. Mark what you find. Not sure what is there? Turn the supply off, or do not start. Have cables and gas isolated by the right person and prove them dead before you start.
5. 5Check the weather before you startStop handling grinder, screens and chip piles when the wind is strong enough to catch them. Stop in heavy rain, ice or lightning.
6. 6Stabilise the grinderSet the grinder on the firmest level surface available and stabilise it before cutting. Keep it stable as the cutting head moves through the stump.
7. 7Control vibration and noiseUse the machine as the maker says. Note how long each person's hands are on each tool while it runs. Take the tool's vibration figure from the maker or HSE's table and check it fits how you use it. Points per hour times hours on the trigger, added up for the day, gives the exposure: 100 points is the action value, 400 is the limit. HSE's vibration calculator does the sum. Over 100, cut it with lower-vibration kit or less time, and never pass 400. Write the result down. Sharing the work does not replace this. Wear the hearing, eye, face and hand protection required by the assessment.
8. 8Screen flying debrisSet supplementary screening between the cutting head and people or property at risk. Keep the exclusion area in place while the grinder is cutting.
9. 9Wait for the cutter to stopKeep away from the cutting mechanism until it has stopped completely. Stop and isolate the grinder before checking, clearing or moving it.
10. 10Clear and hand back the areaRemove tools, waste and unused materials. Check the area is clean and ready to use. Tell the customer or whoever runs the site when the work is complete.

Risk assessment

• People entering the work area or tripping over materials

  Workers, occupants and visitors

  Mark or barrier the active work area. Store tools and materials away from access routes.

• Poor ground or weather makes the machine unstable or the work uncontrolled

  The operator, people nearby and property

  Record the site decision before setup. Recheck after weather or site conditions change.

• Metal, stone or loose material damages the cutter or is thrown at people and property

  The operator, people nearby and property

  Inspect the stump and surrounding ground by hand before starting. Keep the cutting area clear while the machine is running.

• Hitting a live cable or gas pipe causes shock, fire or gas escape

  The person doing the work and everyone nearby

  Check again wherever the work moves. If you hit something, stop, keep clear and report it.

• Wind catches the grinder, screens and chip piles and blows them onto people nearby

  The team and people nearby

  Check the forecast before you start and agree when the wind stops the work. Tie down or take in loose materials before you leave.

• The machine moves or tips while the cutting head is engaged

  The operator and people nearby

  Keep the machine stable throughout the cut. Use another removal method if it cannot be stabilised.

• Hand-arm vibration, noise and flying chips injure the operator

  The operator and anyone nearby

  Keep the grinder maintained and stop if it becomes damaged or unusually noisy. Record actual use and review the vibration exposure.

• Wood chips or fragments strike a person, vehicle or building

  The operator, public and nearby property

  Stop if screening cannot protect the people or property at risk. Check the screen again after moving the grinder.

• The operator contacts a moving cutter while checking or clearing the grinder

  The operator and anyone helping

  Keep the exclusion area until the cutter is still. Never reach into the cutter area while the engine is running.

• Debris, tools or unfinished work left in the area

  Workers, occupants and visitors

  Remove waste by the agreed route. Record and protect any unfinished work.