Product Overview

Summary: This SOP sets out a clear, practical framework for managing vehicle and pedestrian traffic around arboriculture works in Australian streets, parks and private sites. It helps your team safely control work zones, protect the public and workers, and demonstrate compliance with WHS and road authority requirements during tree pruning, removals and stump grinding operations.

Arboriculture work is frequently carried out on or adjacent to roads, driveways, public parks and shared paths, where poor traffic management can quickly lead to serious incidents. This Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, step‑by‑step approach to planning, setting up and maintaining safe traffic arrangements around tree work sites, from small residential jobs on quiet streets through to complex multi-lane arterial roads. It integrates arboriculture-specific risks such as falling branches, chipper operations, stump grinding and elevated work platforms with established traffic control principles used across Australian road networks.

By implementing this SOP, businesses can reduce the risk of vehicle collisions, struck‑by incidents and near misses involving workers, plant and members of the public. It gives supervisors and crews a consistent method for assessing site risks, selecting appropriate traffic control plans, positioning signage and devices, and coordinating with road authorities and utility owners. The document also supports compliance with WHS legislation, relevant Codes of Practice and traffic control standards, helping organisations demonstrate due diligence, streamline induction and training, and maintain a professional image when working in high‑visibility public environments.

Key Benefits

• Ensure consistent, legally defensible traffic management practices for all arboriculture works near roads and pedestrian areas.
• Reduce the likelihood of vehicle strikes, public injuries and property damage around tree work sites.
• Improve coordination between arborists, traffic controllers and road authorities, minimising confusion and delays.
• Standardise site setup, signage layouts and exclusion zones to speed up mobilisation and pack‑down.
• Support effective training, induction and supervision of crews undertaking roadside and public‑space tree work.

Who is this for?

• Arborists
• Climbing Arborists
• Ground Crew Members
• Team Leaders – Arboriculture
• WHS Managers
• Operations Managers – Tree Services
• Local Government Parks and Trees Coordinators
• Traffic Controllers
• Project Managers – Vegetation Management
• Contract Administrators – Civil and Landscape Works

Hazards Addressed

• Vehicle collisions with workers, plant or work zones
• Pedestrians entering exclusion zones and drop zones
• Struck‑by incidents from falling branches or debris into live traffic or walkways
• Reversing and manoeuvring incidents involving trucks, chippers and loaders
• Reduced visibility due to weather, low light or road geometry affecting driver reaction times
• Distraction of motorists caused by arboriculture operations and equipment
• Pinch points between mobile plant and fixed objects (kerbs, trees, barriers)
• Slips, trips and falls around traffic control devices, cables and uneven ground
• Noise and dust impacting nearby road users and pedestrians
• Fatigue and complacency in long-duration roadside works

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Abbreviations
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (PCBU, Supervisor, Traffic Controller, Arborist, Ground Crew)
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Guidance Material
• 5.0 Pre‑Start Planning and Risk Assessment for Traffic Management
• 6.0 Site Assessment – Road Environment, Pedestrian Flows and Arboriculture Hazards
• 7.0 Selection and Approval of Traffic Control Plans (TCPs)
• 8.0 Communication and Coordination with Road Authorities and Clients
• 9.0 Required Competencies, Licences and Training (Traffic Control and WHS)
• 10.0 Traffic Management Equipment and Signage Requirements
• 11.0 Step‑by‑Step Setup of Traffic Control for Arboriculture Operations
• 12.0 Establishing Exclusion Zones, Drop Zones and Safe Work Areas
• 13.0 Managing Pedestrian Movements, Shared Paths and Public Access
• 14.0 Integration of Plant and Equipment (Chippers, EWPs, Cranes, Stump Grinders) with Traffic Control
• 15.0 Monitoring, Adjusting and Maintaining Traffic Arrangements During Works
• 16.0 Managing Changed Conditions (Weather, Visibility, Traffic Volume, Emergencies)
• 17.0 Pack‑Down and Site Handover Procedures
• 18.0 Incident, Near Miss and Non‑Compliance Reporting
• 19.0 Housekeeping, Environmental Considerations and Noise Management
• 20.0 Recordkeeping, Auditing and Continuous Improvement
• 21.0 Toolbox Talk and Induction Checklist – Traffic Management for Arboriculture
• 22.0 Appendices – Example Traffic Control Plans, Risk Assessment Templates and Equipment Checklists

Legislation & References

• Model Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS legislation
• Model Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS regulations
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace
• AS 1742.3: Manual of uniform traffic control devices – Traffic control for works on roads
• AS/NZS 4801: Occupational health and safety management systems (superseded but still commonly referenced)
• ISO 45001: Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use
• State and territory manuals for traffic control at work sites (e.g. Austroads Guides, TfNSW Traffic Control at Work Sites Manual, VicRoads Worksite Traffic Management Code of Practice)
• Local council and road authority conditions of works within road reserves