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Tree Climbing Aerial Rigging and Removal Risk Assessment

Tree Climbing Aerial Rigging and Removal Risk Assessment

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Tree Climbing Aerial Rigging and Removal Risk Assessment

Product Overview

Identify and control organisational risks associated with Tree Climbing, Aerial Rigging and Tree Removal at a management and systems level using this comprehensive Risk Assessment. Developed to support WHS Risk Management and executive Due Diligence, it helps demonstrate compliance with the WHS Act and significantly reduce operational and legal liability exposure.

Risk Categories & Hazards Covered

This document assesses risks and outlines management controls for:

  • WHS Governance, Legal Compliance and Consultation: Assessment of organisational WHS responsibilities, safety leadership, worker consultation mechanisms and evidence of compliance with statutory duties for tree climbing and aerial rigging operations.
  • Competency, Licensing and Training Management: Management of arborist qualifications, high-risk work licences, refresher training, verification of competency and authorisation processes for climbers, riggers and EWP operators.
  • Planning, Job Hazard Analysis and Site Assessment Systems: Protocols for pre-start planning, job hazard analysis, tree condition assessment, drop zone determination and documentation of residual risks prior to commencing aerial work.
  • Equipment Procurement, Design and Engineering Controls: Governance of selection, design and engineering controls for ropes, harnesses, rigging gear, chainsaws, EWPs, cranes and other plant used in tree access and removal.
  • Inspection, Maintenance and Asset Management: Systems for inspection, tagging, retirement criteria and lifecycle management of climbing and rigging equipment, mechanical devices and supporting plant.
  • Work Method Selection, SWMS and Procedure Integration: Alignment of work methods (climbing vs EWP vs crane), Safe Work Method Statements, standard operating procedures and manufacturer instructions with organisational risk tolerances.
  • Fatigue, Work Scheduling and Weather Management: Assessment of shift length, rest breaks, heat and cold exposure, wind, storms and other weather-related constraints that impact safe aerial rigging and tree removal.
  • Traffic, Public Interface and Site Control: Management of mobile plant interaction, roadways, pedestrian access, exclusion zones, barricading and public protection around tree work sites.
  • Emergency Preparedness, Rescue and First Aid: Planning for aerial rescue, suspension intolerance, uncontrolled falls, struck-by incidents, and ensuring first aid, rescue equipment and communication systems are fit-for-purpose.
  • Hazardous Energy, Utilities and Environmental Conditions: Controls for overhead and underground services, electrical proximity, chainsaw and plant energy sources, falling limbs, wildlife, and environmental contamination risks.
  • PPE Management and Hierarchy of Control Integration: Governance of helmet, eye, hearing, chainsaw protection, fall-arrest and other PPE within a broader hierarchy of control framework for arboricultural tasks.
  • Contractor, Subcontractor and Labour-Hire Control: Systems for prequalification, onboarding, supervision and performance monitoring of external climbers, rigging crews and labour-hire personnel.
  • Information, Communication and Supervision Systems: Management of pre-start meetings, toolbox talks, work instructions, radio/phone communication and competent supervision for complex tree removal operations.
  • Health Monitoring, Fitness for Work and Psychosocial Risks: Assessment of physical capability, medical restrictions, alcohol and other drugs, heat stress, workload, and psychosocial pressures associated with high-risk tree work.
  • Incident Reporting, Investigation and Continuous Improvement: Frameworks for capturing near misses, equipment failures and incidents, conducting root cause analysis and implementing corrective actions across the organisation.

Who is this for?

This Risk Assessment is designed for Business Owners, General Managers, Operations Managers and Safety Professionals responsible for planning, governing and overseeing Tree Climbing, Aerial Rigging and Tree Removal activities within their organisation.

Hazards & Risks Covered

Hazard Risk Description
1. WHS Governance, Legal Compliance and Consultation
  • • Failure to identify and comply with WHS Act 2011, WHS Regulations and relevant Codes of Practice for arboriculture, tree work, EWPs and high risk work
  • • No clear WHS responsibilities for officers, managers, supervisors and workers involved in tree climbing and aerial rigging
  • • Inadequate consultation with workers and HSRs about high‑risk tree climbing and removal activities
  • • Lack of system to review and update risk assessments for complex tree work, including deadwooding, rigging and tree removal at height
  • • Insufficient due diligence by officers to ensure adequate resourcing for safe aerial tree work
  • • Failure to verify contractor and labour‑hire compliance with WHS duties
2. Competency, Licensing and Training Management
  • • Tree climbers, riggers and ground crew lacking formal competency for aerial tree work, rigging and chainsaw use aloft
  • • Inadequate verification of High Risk Work licences for EWP operations
  • • Insufficient training in advanced climbing techniques, spur use, double rope systems and work positioning for tall or complex trees
  • • No structured refresher training for emergency aerial rescue, complex rigging or pruning near structures and services
  • • Use of inexperienced workers for supervision of tree lopping and aerial pruning operations
  • • Inadequate familiarisation when introducing new climbing systems, friction devices or rigging hardware
3. Planning, Job Hazard Analysis and Site Assessment Systems
  • • Inadequate pre‑job planning for complex tree removal, deadwooding and pruning at height
  • • Failure to systematically identify overhead powerlines, underground services, roads, structures and public interfaces
  • • No structured methodology for assessing tree health, stability and load‑bearing capacity prior to climbing or rigging
  • • Poor selection of work method (climbing with spurs vs EWP vs crane assisted removal) due to absent planning criteria
  • • Inadequate communication of job hazards and control measures to all workers and subcontractors
  • • Lack of formal review process for high‑risk or non‑standard jobs (e.g. large decayed trees over dwellings or traffic)
4. Equipment Procurement, Design and Engineering Controls
  • • Purchase or use of non‑certified climbing, rigging and fall‑arrest equipment not designed for arboricultural use
  • • Inadequate selection of ropes, slings and hardware for dynamic loads generated during rigging and section felling
  • • Use of EWPs, cranes or winches not suitable for tree work environments or with insufficient capacity and reach
  • • Lack of engineered anchor point capacity or unsuitable rigging points on compromised trees
  • • Improvised or modified equipment that undermines manufacturer specifications and safety margins
  • • Inconsistent specification of chainsaws, friction devices and lowering systems for high‑energy tree rigging tasks
5. Inspection, Maintenance and Asset Management
  • • Degradation or hidden damage to ropes, harnesses, spurs, carabiners and rigging hardware due to poor inspection regimes
  • • Failure of chainsaws aloft, EWPs or cranes due to inadequate preventive maintenance
  • • Lack of traceability and service history for critical life‑support equipment
  • • Continued use of equipment beyond manufacturer’s recommended service life
  • • Unreported or undocumented incidents of shock‑loading or near misses involving rigging gear
  • • Inadequate pre‑use checks of EWPs, load‑handling equipment and chainsaws used in the tree
6. Work Method Selection, SWMS and Procedure Integration
  • • Inconsistent or unsafe selection of climbing, rigging or EWP methods for tall or complex trees
  • • Lack of documented procedures for aerial rigging, overhead branch cutting and tree dismantling
  • • Failure to integrate SWMS with higher‑level organisational risk controls and policies
  • • Use of generic SWMS that do not reflect site‑specific hazards such as deadwood, rot or confined space access for canopy
  • • Workers not understanding or following documented procedures for pruning, deadwooding or tree removal at height
  • • No system to update SWMS and procedures when introducing new techniques or equipment (e.g. SRT systems, mechanical devices)
7. Fatigue, Work Scheduling and Weather Management
  • • Excessive physical workload from prolonged climbing, spur use and overhead cutting leading to fatigue‑related errors
  • • Inadequate planning for extreme heat, high wind, storms or low‑visibility conditions during aerial work
  • • Compressed schedules and time pressure driving unsafe rigging decisions or rushed pruning at height
  • • Insufficient rest breaks for climbers and EWP operators engaged in repetitive or high‑effort tasks
  • • Lack of policy on ceasing work in unsafe weather conditions for elevated or rope access activities
  • • Work sequencing that does not allow rigging set‑up, inspection and housekeeping between major cuts
8. Traffic, Public Interface and Site Control
  • • Members of the public entering drop zones, exclusion areas or work sites during aerial pruning or tree removal
  • • Vehicle and plant interaction with pedestrians and cyclists on or near public roads and footpaths
  • • Inadequate traffic management when working over or adjacent to roadways, driveways or carparks
  • • Lack of effective exclusion zones beneath climbers, rigging lines and overhead cutting activities
  • • Poor control of noise, dust and debris affecting neighbouring properties and bystanders
  • • Insufficient signage, barriers and spotters to manage public interaction during tree lopping operations
9. Emergency Preparedness, Rescue and First Aid
  • • Delayed rescue of an injured or suspended climber due to lack of trained aerial rescue personnel on site
  • • Inadequate emergency planning for equipment failure, uncontrolled limb fall or tree failure during rigging
  • • Absence of suitable rescue equipment for rope access or EWP incidents
  • • Poor communication with emergency services about site access, hazards and tree conditions
  • • Insufficient first aid coverage for remote or difficult‑to‑access tree work locations
  • • No rehearsed procedure for dealing with contact with powerlines or electrical installations
10. Hazardous Energy, Utilities and Environmental Conditions
  • • Contact with or arcing from overhead or adjacent electrical conductors during climbing or rigging
  • • Uncontrolled movement of branches or trunks due to misjudged tension, stored energy or wind loading
  • • Failure to account for environmental conditions such as unstable ground, steep terrain or saturated soils affecting tree stability and plant access
  • • Exposure to hazardous flora and fauna (e.g. bees, wasps, snakes, toxic plants) during climbing and pruning activities
  • • Noise, vibration, dust and emissions from chainsaws and other plant affecting workers and neighbours
  • • Inadequate planning for erosion, vegetation protection or waste management in sensitive environments
11. PPE Management and Hierarchy of Control Integration
  • • Over‑reliance on PPE instead of higher‑order controls for fall prevention and rigging risks
  • • Inconsistent provision, selection and use of PPE suited to aerial tree work (helmets with chinstraps, eye and hearing protection, chainsaw protective clothing, gloves)
  • • Lack of systems to ensure PPE is inspected, maintained and replaced before failure
  • • Inadequate training on the limitations of PPE in high‑risk aerial rigging and cutting tasks
  • • Workers modifying PPE in ways that compromise performance (e.g. unauthorised helmet attachments)
12. Contractor, Subcontractor and Labour‑Hire Control
  • • Engagement of contractors for tree lopping and removal without adequate WHS systems or competency
  • • Poor coordination between principal contractor, subcontractors and labour‑hire workers during complex rigging operations
  • • Unclear allocation of WHS responsibilities and supervision arrangements on multi‑employer sites
  • • Contractual pressure driving unsafe productivity targets or under‑resourcing of jobs
  • • Inconsistent induction and briefing of subcontractor personnel on site‑specific hazards and procedures
13. Information, Communication and Supervision Systems
  • • Miscommunication between climbers, riggers, EWP operators and ground crew during cutting and lowering operations
  • • Lack of reliable communication methods where line‑of‑sight is obstructed or noise levels are high
  • • Inadequate supervision of inexperienced climbers or ground crew on complex trees
  • • Failure to escalate concerns about tree stability, weather or equipment limits during operations
  • • Insufficient documentation and handover between planning, supervisory staff and on‑site crews
14. Health Monitoring, Fitness for Work and Psychosocial Risks
  • • Workers with medical conditions, reduced fitness or substance impairment performing aerial tree work
  • • Insufficient consideration of musculoskeletal strain from repetitive climbing, spur use and overhead chainsaw work
  • • Psychological stress from high‑consequence work at height or exposure to traumatic events (e.g. serious incidents or near misses)
  • • Lack of systems to manage alcohol and other drugs risk for climbers, riggers and operators
  • • No health monitoring or ergonomic review of tasks with high manual handling demand (e.g. dragging branches, handling rigging gear)
15. Incident Reporting, Investigation and Continuous Improvement
  • • Under‑reporting of near misses, minor injuries or equipment failures during aerial work and rigging operations
  • • Recurring incidents because root causes are not identified or addressed at a system level
  • • Lack of trend analysis to identify systemic weaknesses in planning, training or equipment management
  • • Failure to share lessons learned across crews and sites performing tree pruning, deadwooding and removal
  • • Inadequate monitoring of corrective action implementation and effectiveness

Need to add specific hazards for your workplace?

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Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

  • Work Health and Safety Act 2011
  • Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017
  • Model Code of Practice – How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks: Guidance on systematic risk management processes.
  • Model Code of Practice – Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces: Requirements and controls for work at height, including tree climbing and aerial access.
  • Model Code of Practice – Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace: Controls for chainsaws, EWPs, cranes, chippers and other plant used in tree work.
  • Model Code of Practice – Construction Work: Risk management principles for construction-like activities including tree removal in construction environments.
  • AS/NZS ISO 31000:2018: Risk management — Guidelines
  • AS/NZS 4801 / ISO 45001 (OHS Management Systems): Principles for establishing, implementing and maintaining an effective safety management system.
  • AS 1891 series – Industrial Fall-Arrest Systems and Devices: Requirements for harnesses, lanyards, anchorages and associated fall protection equipment.
  • AS 2727 / AS 2726 (Chainsaws): Safety requirements and usage guidance for chainsaws used in arboricultural operations.
  • AS 2550 series – Cranes, Hoists and Winches – Safe Use: Operational safety requirements where cranes are used for tree removal or rigging support.
  • AS 1418 series – Cranes, Hoists and Winches – Design and Construction: Design and engineering requirements relevant to lifting operations in tree work.
  • AS 1742 series – Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices: Guidance for traffic management and road-side worksite control during tree operations.
Standard Risk Assessment Features (Click to Expand)
  • Comprehensive hazard identification for all activities
  • Risk rating matrix with likelihood and consequence analysis
  • Existing control measures evaluation
  • Residual risk assessment after controls
  • Hierarchy of controls recommendations
  • Action priority rankings
  • Review and monitoring requirements
  • Consultation and communication records
  • Legal compliance references
  • Sign-off and approval sections

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