Product Overview

Summary: This SOP provides a clear, WHS-aligned process for assessing, installing, inspecting and maintaining lightning protection systems on trees in Australian workplaces. It helps protect workers, the public, structures and critical assets from lightning-related injury, fire and property damage while supporting environmental and heritage obligations.

Lightning strikes pose a serious but often overlooked risk in Australian workplaces where large trees are present near staff, the public, buildings or critical infrastructure. This Lightning Protection for Trees Safe Operating Procedure sets out a structured, defensible approach to identifying trees that require protection, selecting appropriate lightning protection systems, and managing the associated work safely. It is designed for organisations managing parks, campuses, golf courses, resorts, schools, hospitals, industrial estates and public spaces where trees are both valuable assets and potential lightning attractors.

The SOP goes beyond basic installation guidance to embed WHS risk management into every stage of the process. It covers pre-work risk assessment, electrical and working-at-heights controls, coordination with electricians, safe work methods for installing conductors and earths, and ongoing inspection and maintenance of systems in line with Australian Standards and duty-of-care requirements. By adopting this procedure, businesses can demonstrate due diligence in managing lightning risks, safeguard high-value or heritage trees, and reduce the likelihood of injury, fire, electrical damage and costly service disruptions caused by lightning events.

Key Benefits

• Ensure a consistent, WHS-compliant approach to assessing and managing lightning risks associated with trees on or near workplaces.
• Reduce the likelihood of injury, fire and property damage from lightning strikes to trees located near people, buildings and critical services.
• Protect high-value, heritage or environmentally significant trees through correctly designed and installed lightning protection systems.
• Demonstrate due diligence under Australian WHS legislation and support compliance with relevant Australian Standards for lightning and earthing systems.
• Standardise training and supervision for arborists and grounds staff working with electrically conductive components and at heights.

Who is this for?

• Arborists
• Consulting Arborists
• Grounds and Estate Managers
• Parks and Gardens Supervisors
• Local Council Asset Managers
• Facility and Property Managers
• Landscape Contractors
• WHS Managers and Coordinators
• Golf Course Superintendents
• Resort and Campus Facility Managers
• Heritage and Environmental Officers

Hazards Addressed

• Lightning strikes to trees resulting in electric shock or fatality to workers or members of the public in the vicinity
• Lightning-induced fires in tree canopies, mulch, structures or surrounding vegetation
• Damage to nearby buildings, telecommunications, irrigation, power and other services from side-flash or step potential
• Electrical hazards associated with installing and maintaining conductors, earth rods and bonding to structures
• Falls from height during installation or inspection of lightning protection components in trees
• Struck-by and crush injuries from branch or tree failure during installation works
• Underground service strikes when installing earthing systems
• Adverse weather exposure when working during periods of increased lightning risk

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Terminology (Lightning Protection, Down Conductors, Earth Terminations, Step and Touch Potential)
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 5.0 Tree and Site Risk Assessment for Lightning Exposure
• 6.0 Selection Criteria for Trees Requiring Lightning Protection
• 7.0 Design Requirements and Coordination with Qualified Electricians/Engineers
• 8.0 Pre-Start Planning, Permits and Service Location (Dial Before You Dig)
• 9.0 Required Tools, Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• 10.0 Safe Work Method – Installation of Lightning Protection on Trees
• 11.0 Working at Heights and Tree Access Controls (Climbing, EWP Use, Rescue Planning)
• 12.0 Electrical Safety, Earthing and Bonding Controls
• 13.0 Environmental and Heritage Considerations for Protected or Significant Trees
• 14.0 Inspection, Testing, Certification and Commissioning Requirements
• 15.0 Routine Inspection, Maintenance and Record Keeping
• 16.0 Emergency Procedures for Lightning Activity and Adverse Weather
• 17.0 Incident Reporting, Non-Conformance and Corrective Actions
• 18.0 Training, Induction and Competency Verification
• 19.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement of the SOP

Legislation & References

• AS/NZS 1768:2021 Lightning Protection
• AS/NZS 3000:2018 Electrical Installations (Wiring Rules)
• AS/NZS 3008.1.1:2017 Electrical Installations – Selection of Cables
• AS/NZS 7000:2016 Overhead Line Design – Detailed Procedures (for clearance and proximity considerations)
• AS 4373:2007 Pruning of Amenity Trees
• ISO 45001:2018 Occupational health and safety management systems (as adopted in Australia)
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and harmonised state and territory Acts)
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (and state/territory equivalents)
• Safe Work Australia – Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Managing Risks of Hazardous Trees in the Workplace (where referenced by jurisdictions)