Product Overview

Summary: This Selective Logging Procedures SOP sets out a clear, step-by-step approach for carrying out low‑impact, selective tree harvesting safely and in line with Australian WHS and environmental obligations. It helps forestry operations control high‑risk activities such as felling, extraction and loading, while protecting workers, the public, and surrounding ecosystems.

Selective logging is one of the highest‑risk activities in the forestry sector, combining remote work, heavy machinery, chainsaw use, and complex environmental constraints. This Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, practical framework for planning and executing selective tree harvesting in a way that minimises safety risks while meeting environmental and legal requirements. It guides crews through pre‑harvest assessments, tree selection, felling techniques, extraction methods and load‑out processes, all tailored to Australian forestry operations and WHS expectations.

By implementing this SOP, organisations create a consistent and defensible method for managing hazards such as falling trees and limbs, machine rollovers, noise, dust, and working in steep or unstable terrain. The document clarifies responsibilities from the operations manager through to individual operators, embeds risk assessment and permit checks into daily routines, and links safe work practices with sustainable forest management. This not only reduces the likelihood of serious incidents and regulatory breaches, but also enhances productivity by standardising work methods, communication protocols and emergency response in remote logging environments.

Key Benefits

• Ensure selective logging activities are carried out in compliance with Australian WHS laws and state-based forestry regulations.
• Reduce the risk of serious injuries and fatalities from tree felling, falling branches, and mobile plant interactions.
• Standardise planning, tree selection, felling and extraction practices across crews and contractors.
• Improve environmental performance by integrating low-impact harvesting techniques and exclusion zones into daily operations.
• Strengthen incident preparedness through clear communication, remote work procedures and emergency response steps.

Who is this for?

• Forestry Operations Managers
• Logging Crew Supervisors
• Chainsaw Operators
• Mechanical Harvester Operators
• Skidder and Forwarder Operators
• Timber Truck Drivers
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Environmental and Sustainability Officers
• Plantation Managers
• Remote Area and Field Team Leaders

Hazards Addressed

• Struck-by incidents from falling trees, limbs and hung-up branches
• Chainsaw and mechanical harvester contact injuries
• Mobile plant collisions between harvesters, skidders, forwarders and trucks
• Machine rollovers on steep, uneven or unstable terrain
• Noise-induced hearing loss from chainsaws and heavy machinery
• Exposure to vibration from handheld and mobile plant
• Manual handling injuries during felling, de‑limbing and chocking
• Fatigue and isolation risks associated with remote and lone work
• Slips, trips and falls on rough, wet or debris-covered ground
• Adverse weather conditions (high winds, heat, storms) affecting felling safety
• Dust, exhaust fumes and airborne contaminants from machinery
• Environmental hazards such as unstable ground near waterways or erosion-prone slopes
• Vehicle incidents on unsealed forest roads and log loading areas
• Wildlife encounters and vegetation-related allergies or irritants

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 References, Definitions and Abbreviations
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Pre‑Harvest Planning and Site Assessment
• 5.0 Environmental and Regulatory Compliance (Permits, Exclusion Zones and Cultural Heritage)
• 6.0 Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Controls
• 7.0 Tree Selection Criteria and Marking Procedures
• 8.0 Chainsaw and Mechanical Harvester Safe Operating Requirements
• 9.0 Felling Techniques, Directional Felling and Control of Drop Zones
• 10.0 Extraction, Skidding, Forwarding and Log Landing Operations
• 11.0 Traffic Management and Haulage Interface on Forest Roads
• 12.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements
• 13.0 Communication, Two‑Way Radios and Remote/Lone Work Protocols
• 14.0 Weather, Terrain and Environmental Condition Controls
• 15.0 Equipment Pre‑Start Checks, Maintenance and Lock‑Out Procedures
• 16.0 Housekeeping, Debris Management and Site Rehabilitation
• 17.0 Emergency Preparedness, Rescue and First Aid Procedures
• 18.0 Incident Reporting, Near Misses and Corrective Actions
• 19.0 Training, Induction and Competency Verification
• 20.0 Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Model Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth)
• Model Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth)
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: First Aid in the Workplace
• AS 2727: Chainsaws – Guide to safe working practices
• AS/NZS 2153: Tractors and machinery for agriculture and forestry – Technical means for ensuring safety
• AS 1742.3: Manual of uniform traffic control devices – Traffic control for works on roads (for forest road access and haulage interfaces)
• AS/NZS 1801: Occupational protective helmets
• AS/NZS 2210.1: Safety, protective and occupational footwear
• AS/NZS 1270: Acoustics – Hearing protectors
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment
• AS/NZS 45001: Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use
• Relevant state and territory forestry and native vegetation legislation (e.g. NSW Forestry Act, VIC Sustainable Forests (Timber) Act)