Product Overview

Summary: This SOP provides a structured, repeatable process for conducting risk assessments in arboriculture operations, from pre-start site inspections through to post-job review. It helps Australian tree businesses and councils identify, assess and control risks associated with tree work, ensuring safe outcomes for workers, the public and surrounding property while meeting WHS due diligence obligations.

Arboriculture work exposes workers and the public to a unique combination of high-risk activities, including working at height, chainsaw use, proximity to live powerlines, traffic interfaces and unpredictable tree behaviour. This Risk Assessment in Arboriculture Operations SOP sets out a clear, step-by-step method for identifying hazards, assessing the level of risk and implementing effective controls before any tree work begins and as conditions change throughout the job. It is designed specifically for Australian conditions, where urban tree work often occurs in tight spaces, near roads, utilities and public access areas.

By implementing this SOP, organisations can move away from informal, ad-hoc assessments and towards a consistent, documented approach that stands up to regulatory scrutiny. The procedure guides supervisors and crews through pre-start site walks, assessment of tree stability and defects, evaluation of environmental conditions, traffic and pedestrian risks, and the selection of safe systems of work such as rope access methods, EWP use or crane-assisted removals. It supports compliance with WHS legislation and due diligence duties, reduces the likelihood of serious incidents, and provides defensible evidence that risks were systematically considered and controlled on every arboriculture job.

Key Benefits

• Ensure a consistent, documented approach to risk assessment across all arboriculture jobs and crews.
• Reduce the likelihood of serious injuries, property damage and public liability incidents during tree work.
• Demonstrate compliance with Australian WHS legislation and due diligence requirements for high-risk work.
• Improve decision-making around work methods, equipment selection and crew competency for complex tree operations.
• Streamline communication of site-specific risks and controls between supervisors, climbers, ground crew and subcontractors.

Who is this for?

• Arborists
• Climbing Arborists
• Ground Crew Team Leaders
• Tree Work Supervisors
• WHS Managers
• Local Council Parks and Gardens Managers
• Urban Forest Managers
• Horticulture and Grounds Maintenance Supervisors
• Small Tree Services Business Owners
• Contract Managers overseeing tree works

Hazards Addressed

• Falls from height during climbing, aerial rescue and EWP operations
• Struck-by incidents from falling branches, whole trees or equipment
• Chainsaw and wood-chipper contact injuries
• Contact with or arcing from overhead or underground electrical services
• Traffic interactions when working near roads, driveways or car parks
• Tree instability due to decay, root damage, storm damage or structural defects
• Manual handling injuries from lifting, dragging or loading timber and green waste
• Noise and vibration exposure from chainsaws, chippers and stump grinders
• Environmental hazards such as high winds, extreme heat, rain, lightning and poor visibility
• Public access risks in parks, streetscapes, schools and residential areas
• Working near services and structures including buildings, fences, sheds and underground utilities

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Key Terms (including high-risk tree work and critical risk categories)
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (PCBU, supervisors, arborists, ground crew, contractors)
• 4.0 Legal and Other Requirements (WHS legislation, Codes of Practice, Australian Standards)
• 5.0 Risk Management Process Overview (identify, assess, control, review)
• 6.0 Pre-Start Planning and Information Gathering (client brief, utilities, permits, environmental constraints)
• 7.0 Site Walk-Through and Hazard Identification Checklist
• 8.0 Tree Assessment Criteria (structural defects, decay, lean, root plate stability, species behaviour)
• 9.0 Risk Assessment Methodology (likelihood and consequence matrix, risk rating and prioritisation)
• 10.0 Control Measures for Common Arboriculture Hazards (hierarchy of control applied to tree work)
• 11.0 Selection of Work Methods (climbing, EWP, crane, sectional dismantling, felling options)
• 12.0 Controls for Work Near Roads and Public Areas (traffic management, exclusion zones, spotters)
• 13.0 Controls for Work Near Electrical Assets (no-go zones, isolation, permits, consultation with utilities)
• 14.0 Personal Protective Equipment Requirements for Arboriculture Operations
• 15.0 Communication and Toolbox Talks (briefing crews on site-specific risks and controls)
• 16.0 Dynamic Risk Assessment During Operations (responding to changing conditions and new hazards)
• 17.0 Documentation and Record-Keeping (risk assessment forms, permits, photographs, approvals)
• 18.0 Training, Competency and Verification of Skills for Arboriculture Risk Assessment
• 19.0 Incident, Near Miss and Hazard Reporting and Review
• 20.0 Continuous Improvement and Periodic Review of Risk Assessments and Controls
• 21.0 Appendices – Sample Risk Assessment Templates, Checklists and Risk Matrix

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Regulations
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks
• 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
• AS 4373: Pruning of Amenity Trees
• AS/NZS 1891 series: Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices
• AS/NZS 1576 series: Scaffolding (relevant where temporary work platforms are used)
• AS/NZS 4801: Occupational health and safety management systems (superseded but still referenced by many organisations)
• Electrical Safety legislation and guidelines applicable in the relevant state or territory (for work near overhead and underground powerlines)