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Arborist Tree Climbing Risk Assessment

This risk assessment covers planning, climbing, cutting, lowering and pack-down activities for arborist tree climbing work.

Activities covered include

  • Plan the work and assess tree condition, site access, weather and surrounding exposures
  • Lower branches and manage rigging, falling objects and ground crew movements
  • Prepare for rescue, first aid, pack-down and leaving the site safe

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Arborist Tree Climbing Risk Assessment
  • 100% Compliant with Australian WHS Acts & Regulations
  • Fully Editable MS Word & PDF Formats Included
  • Pre-filled Content - Ready to Deploy Immediately
  • Customisable - Easily Add Your Logo & Site Details
  • Includes 2 Years of Free Compliance Updates

Product Overview

This risk assessment covers planning, climbing, cutting, lowering and pack-down activities for arborist tree climbing work. It supports identifying site conditions, coordinating workers and managing risks throughout the work.

Activities & Risks Covered

This assessment addresses activities and risks including:

  • Plan the work and assess tree condition, site access, weather and surrounding exposures
  • Set up the work area and control access to drop zones
  • Inspect climbing equipment, anchors and connections before use
  • Ascend, position and move within the tree canopy
  • Use chainsaws and cutting tools while working aloft
  • Lower branches and manage rigging, falling objects and ground crew movements
  • Manage overhead power line and other electrical hazards
  • Coordinate climber, ground crew and nearby plant activities
  • Monitor weather, wildlife, visibility and environmental conditions
  • Prepare for rescue, first aid, pack-down and leaving the site safe

Who is this for?

For contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out arborist tree climbing activities.

Activities & Hazards Covered

Activity Potential Hazards
Pre-start planning and site assessment
  • Incorrect assessment of tree condition, decay, lean or structural weakness
  • Unidentified drop zones, underground or overhead services, public access or adjacent property exposure
  • Weather changes including wind, rain, lightning or poor light affecting climbing and cutting
  • Inadequate consultation, unclear roles or unsuitable work method for site conditions
Access, set-up and work area isolation
  • Unauthorised entry by workers, clients, pedestrians or traffic into the drop zone
  • Being struck by falling branches, tools or debris
  • Slips, trips and manual handling strains during gear movement and set-up
  • Poor ground conditions causing unstable footing around the base of the tree
Climbing equipment, anchors and pre-use inspection
  • Failure of harness, rope, karabiner, lanyard, friction device or anchor point
  • Using damaged, incompatible or poorly maintained equipment
  • Incorrect fit or connection leading to loss of restraint or positioning
  • Dropped equipment from height
Tree ascent, positioning and movement in the canopy
  • Fall from height during ascent, repositioning or descent
  • Swing fall, uncontrolled movement or loss of balance
  • Failure of dead, cracked or weak limbs used for support
  • Fatigue or overreach while working aloft
Use of chainsaws and cutting tools aloft
  • Lacerations, amputation or kickback from chainsaws and handsaws
  • Loss of control of tools while cutting from an awkward position
  • Noise, vibration and flying debris
  • Fuel spill or hot surfaces causing fire or burns
Branch lowering, rigging and falling object control
  • Falling branches, timber or equipment striking workers, public or property
  • Rigging failure, uncontrolled swing or shock loading
  • Ground crew entering the drop zone at the wrong time
  • Unexpected movement of cut sections due to tension, compression or imbalance
Electrical hazards and overhead power lines
  • Electric shock, arc flash or electrocution from overhead power lines
  • Branches, ropes, tools or plant entering approach distances
  • Trees or limbs contacting energised conductors
  • Public exposure if lines are struck or brought down
Ground crew support, communication and plant interaction
  • Miscommunication between climber and ground crew
  • Entanglement or struck-by hazards from chippers, stump grinders, vehicles or EWPs nearby
  • Workers moving into active cutting or lowering areas
  • Poor coordination during emergency or changing conditions
Weather, wildlife and environmental conditions
  • Wind gusts, rain or lightning causing slips, loss of control or branch movement
  • Heat stress, dehydration or reduced concentration
  • Bites, stings or allergic reaction from bees, wasps, ants, spiders or other wildlife
  • Poor visibility at dawn, dusk or shaded areas
Rescue readiness, first aid and post-work pack-down
  • Delayed rescue after fall, suspension intolerance or medical event aloft
  • Injury during retrieval or descent to ground
  • Cuts, strains and trips during pack-down and waste removal
  • Leaving the site unsafe after work is completed

Need to tailor this risk assessment?

Use the BlueSafe Portal to add site-specific activities, hazards, controls, responsibilities and review details before the assessment is put into use.

Acceptance Guaranteed: If your client or principal requests changes during document review, BlueSafe will help revise the document at no extra cost and support resubmission until it is accepted.

Legislation & References

The template records model guidance used to inform the documented controls. Applicable WHS/OHS laws and adopted Codes vary by state or territory, so confirm the current local requirements when tailoring the assessment:

  • Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing the work environment and facilities — 2. The work environment; p. 13.
  • Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing the risk of fatigue at work — Provide sufficient breaks while at work; p. 30.
  • Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing electrical risks in the workplace — 2.1 Identifying the hazards; p. 14.
  • Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: First aid in the workplace — 3. First aid equipment, facilities and training; p. 12.
  • Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Hazardous manual tasks — 4.1 The hierarchy of control measures; p. 31.
  • Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of plant in the workplace — Plant used to lift or suspend persons or things; p. 17.
  • Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work — 5. Controlling the risks; p. 29.
  • Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: How to manage work health and safety risks — 5. Step 4 — How to review controls; p. 27.
  • Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing the risk of falls at workplaces — 3.2 Identifying the hazards; p. 16.
Standard Risk Assessment Features (Click to Expand)
  • Activity-specific hazard identification and control measures
  • Initial and residual risk ratings
  • Assigned responsible persons for each activity
  • Risk matrix and assessment classification
  • Review, monitoring and sign-off fields
  • Site-specific customisation before use

Suitable for Industries

Landscaping ContractorsArboriculture and Tree ServicesGardening and Lawn Care

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