Product Overview

Summary: This SOP sets out clear, consistent communication protocols for arboriculture teams working in high‑risk environments across Australia. It defines how crews communicate before, during and after tree work to prevent incidents, manage changing site conditions, and ensure everyone goes home safely.

Arboriculture work is dynamic, noisy and often carried out around live traffic, overhead powerlines and the public. Miscommunication between climbers, EWP operators and ground crew can quickly escalate into serious incidents such as struck‑by injuries, dropped limbs, contact with services or uncontrolled work zones. This Safe Operating Procedure establishes robust, repeatable communication protocols tailored specifically to arboriculture operations, covering verbal commands, hand signals, radio use, pre‑start briefings and emergency call‑outs.

Designed for Australian tree work and vegetation management environments, the SOP helps organisations embed a common language and structure across all crews, including subcontractors. It addresses real‑world challenges such as working around chipper noise, coordinating traffic control, managing public interface and liaising with clients and utilities. By implementing this procedure, businesses can improve site coordination, reduce confusion under pressure, and demonstrate due diligence under WHS legislation when managing high‑risk tree work activities.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of incidents caused by misheard, unclear or missing instructions during tree work.
• Standardise verbal commands, hand signals and radio protocols across all arboriculture crews and subcontractors.
• Ensure critical safety information, such as no‑go zones and exclusion areas, is clearly communicated and confirmed before work starts.
• Improve response times and coordination during emergencies, including dropped limb incidents, near misses or powerline contact.
• Strengthen compliance with WHS consultation and communication requirements, supporting defensible safety management in audits and investigations.

Who is this for?

• Arborists
• Climbing Arborists
• EWP (Elevating Work Platform) Operators
• Ground Crew Members
• Team Leaders and Leading Hands
• Arboriculture Supervisors
• WHS Managers
• Local Government Parks and Gardens Coordinators
• Vegetation Management Contractors
• Utility Vegetation Management Supervisors

Hazards Addressed

• Struck‑by injuries from falling branches or timber due to unclear commands or signals
• Contact with overhead or underground services (including powerlines) from miscommunication of no‑go zones
• Vehicle and plant collisions arising from poor coordination between arboriculture crews and traffic controllers
• Entrapment or serious injury around wood chippers, stump grinders and EWPs due to misunderstood instructions
• Delayed or ineffective emergency response following incidents or near misses
• Exposure of members of the public to uncontrolled work zones due to inadequate communication of exclusion areas
• Fatigue‑related errors and confusion when communication expectations are not standardised

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Terminology (including standard commands and signals)
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (Climbers, EWP Operators, Ground Crew, Supervisors)
• 4.0 Pre‑Start Communication and Site Briefing Requirements
• 5.0 Standard Verbal Commands and Confirmation Protocols
• 6.0 Hand Signals for Arboriculture Operations
• 7.0 Two‑Way Radio Use, Call Signs and Radio Discipline
• 8.0 Communication with Traffic Controllers and Other Contractors
• 9.0 Managing Communication in High‑Noise Environments (chippers, stump grinders, traffic)
• 10.0 Public and Client Communication at Worksites
• 11.0 Communication Protocols for High‑Risk Activities (powerline proximity, crane work, complex dismantles)
• 12.0 Emergency and Incident Communication Procedures
• 13.0 Language, Literacy and Cultural Considerations
• 14.0 Training, Competency and Toolbox Talks
• 15.0 Recordkeeping, Review and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and corresponding state and territory WHS Acts)
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (and state and territory equivalents)
• 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: Work Health and Safety Consultation, Cooperation and Coordination
• AS/NZS 3012: Electrical installations – Construction and demolition sites (for works near temporary power on sites)
• AS/NZS ISO 45001: Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use
• Relevant state and territory Codes of Practice or Guidelines for Tree Work / Arboriculture (e.g. SafeWork NSW Tree Work guidelines, WorkSafe Victoria Arboriculture guidance)