Safety & Insurance

At Max Reynolds Tree Services, safety is the foundation of everything we do. Tree surgery is a high-risk profession — working at height with heavy machinery near buildings, people and infrastructure — and we take our responsibility to our clients, our team and the public extremely seriously on every single job.

Qualifications

Max Reynolds holds a Diploma in Arboriculture and Silviculture from Myerscough College, one of the UK's leading land-based colleges. All our operatives hold the relevant NPTC (City & Guilds) qualifications, including:

• NPTC CS30 — Safe use of a chainsaw
• NPTC CS31 — Fell and process trees up to 380mm
• NPTC CS38 — Aerial tree work using a chainsaw
• NPTC CS39 — Use of a chainsaw from a rope and harness
• First aid at work certification

We do not send unqualified operatives to carry out chainsaw or aerial work under any circumstances.

Insurance

Max Reynolds Tree Services carries full public liability insurance. We are happy to provide a copy of our current insurance certificate to any client on request, before work begins. If your job requires evidence of insurance — for example if you are a housing association, estate manager or local authority — please ask and we will provide this as standard.

Working Standards

All work carried out by Max Reynolds Tree Services complies with:

• BS 3998:2010 — the British Standard for tree work, which sets out recommended practice for all aspects of tree surgery
• AFAG guidelines — the Arboriculture and Forestry Advisory Group's industry safety guidance, produced jointly by the Health & Safety Executive and the Forestry Commission
• Amenity Forum best practice — guidance on working with trees in public and private amenity settings

Risk Assessment & Method Statements

Before beginning any job, we carry out a thorough site-specific risk assessment covering access, ground conditions, proximity to structures and utilities, species characteristics and any ecological considerations. For larger or more complex jobs, we can provide a written method statement and risk assessment on request — this is standard practice for commercial, estate and local authority clients.

Ecology & Wildlife

We are mindful of our legal obligations regarding protected species when carrying out tree work. Before felling or significantly pruning any tree, we consider the potential for bat roosts, bird nests and other protected habitats. Where there is reasonable likelihood of a protected species being present, we recommend an ecological survey before work proceeds. We work in accordance with the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Habitats Regulations 2017 on all jobs.

CONFOR Membership

Max Reynolds is a member of CONFOR (the trade association for the UK forestry and wood processing sector), reflecting our commitment to responsible, sustainable forestry practice and the long-term health of Cumbria's woodland resource.

Questions About Our Safety Standards?

We are always happy to discuss our qualifications, insurance or working methods with potential clients. Please get in touch or call us on 07376804724.