Product Overview

Summary: This Best Practices for Urban Forestry SOP provides a clear, WHS‑aligned framework for planning, executing and maintaining tree work in Australian urban environments. It balances public and worker safety with environmental and amenity outcomes, helping organisations manage trees responsibly around roads, utilities, public spaces and private property.

Urban forestry activities—such as pruning, removal, planting and maintenance of trees in streets, parks and built-up areas—present a complex mix of safety, environmental and community risks. Workers operate at height, near live traffic and overhead services, often using chainsaws, chippers, EWPs and cranes in close proximity to the public and nearby property. This Best Practices for Urban Forestry SOP sets out a robust, step-by-step approach to planning and delivering tree work in line with Australian WHS requirements and contemporary arboricultural standards.

The procedure guides organisations through risk assessment, stakeholder communication, traffic and pedestrian management, equipment checks, safe work methods and post‑work inspection. It provides a consistent framework for councils, contractors and facility managers to manage hazards such as falling branches, contact with powerlines, uncontrolled public access to work zones and environmental harm to protected vegetation. By implementing this SOP, businesses can demonstrate due diligence, improve crew coordination, protect community assets and ensure that urban tree management is defensible, transparent and aligned with best practice in Australia.

Key Benefits

• Ensure urban tree work is planned and executed in line with Australian WHS legislation and recognised arboricultural standards.
• Reduce the risk of injuries to workers, pedestrians, road users and nearby residents during pruning, removals and planting activities.
• Standardise work methods across in‑house crews and contractors, improving consistency, quality and defensibility of decisions.
• Streamline pre‑start planning, traffic management and public communication for urban tree operations.
• Demonstrate due diligence to regulators, insurers and the community through documented, repeatable best‑practice procedures.

Who is this for?

• Arborists
• Urban Foresters
• Parks and Gardens Managers
• Local Government Works Supervisors
• Tree Crew Leaders
• Horticulture and Grounds Maintenance Supervisors
• WHS Managers and Coordinators
• Contract Management Officers (Local Councils)
• Utility Vegetation Management Coordinators
• Landscape Architects and Urban Planners

Hazards Addressed

• Falls from height during tree climbing or work in elevated work platforms (EWPs)
• Falling branches, tree sections or equipment striking workers, vehicles or members of the public
• Contact or near miss with overhead or underground electrical and other utility services
• Struck-by incidents involving chainsaws, wood chippers, stump grinders and cranes
• Traffic-related risks when working adjacent to roads, cycleways or car parks
• Noise, vibration and hand–arm vibration exposure from powered equipment
• Manual handling injuries from lifting logs, handling debris and moving equipment
• Slips, trips and falls on uneven, wet or vegetated ground surfaces
• Exposure to biological hazards including insects, animals, moulds and plant allergens
• Environmental harm from incorrect pruning, root damage or disturbance to protected flora and fauna habitats

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose, Scope and Application
• 2.0 Definitions and Abbreviations
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Planning Urban Forestry Works and Site Assessment
• 5.0 Consultation, Community Notification and Stakeholder Management
• 6.0 Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment for Urban Tree Work
• 7.0 Environmental and Heritage Considerations (Protected Trees and Habitats)
• 8.0 Traffic and Pedestrian Management for Street and Park Tree Operations
• 9.0 Required PPE, Tools and Equipment
• 10.0 Pre‑start Checks, Permits and Service Locating
• 11.0 Safe Work Methods for Pruning, Removal and Planting
• 12.0 Working at Height: Climbing, Rigging and EWP Operations
• 13.0 Safe Use of Chainsaws, Wood Chippers, Stump Grinders and Other Plant
• 14.0 Public Safety and Site Exclusion Zones
• 15.0 Manual Handling and Material Handling Controls
• 16.0 Emergency Preparedness and Rescue Procedures (Aerial and Ground)
• 17.0 Incident, Near Miss and Property Damage Reporting
• 18.0 Post‑work Inspection, Site Clean‑up and Quality Checks
• 19.0 Training, Competency, Induction and Refresher Requirements
• 20.0 Document Control, Review and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and relevant state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 and relevant state and territory WHS Regulations
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Traffic Management in Workplaces (where adopted by jurisdiction)
• AS 4373: Pruning of amenity trees
• AS/NZS 1891 series: Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices
• AS 1742.3: Manual of uniform traffic control devices – Traffic control for works on roads
• AS/NZS 1337.1: Personal eye protection
• AS/NZS 2210.1: Safety, protective and occupational footwear
• AS/NZS 3012: Electrical installations – Construction and demolition sites (for temporary power on worksites)