Product Overview

Summary: This Tree Removal Safe Operating Procedure sets out a clear, step-by-step process for planning and carrying out tree felling and removal tasks safely across Australian worksites. It helps businesses control high-risk activities involving chainsaws, elevated work platforms and falling objects, while demonstrating compliance with WHS obligations and environmental requirements.

Tree removal is a high-risk activity that involves working at height, operating chainsaws and wood chippers, and managing the controlled felling of large, often unpredictable structures. Without a robust and well-communicated procedure, businesses expose workers and the public to serious injury risks from falling branches, contact with powerlines, equipment failures and uncontrolled work zones. This Tree Removal Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, practical framework to plan, authorise and complete tree removal tasks safely and consistently, whether working in parks, road reserves, private properties or near utilities infrastructure.

Developed for Australian conditions and regulatory expectations, the SOP guides your team through pre-start site assessments, traffic and public protection, equipment checks, selection of felling methods, rigging techniques, and controlled dismantling of trees. It embeds WHS risk management, consultation and permit processes into everyday operations, supporting your duty of care and helping to demonstrate compliance in the event of an incident or regulator visit. By standardising how tree removal is planned, supervised and executed, this document reduces variability between crews, improves training outcomes, and protects your brand reputation when working in public and client-facing environments.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the likelihood of serious injuries and near misses from falling trees, limbs and equipment.
• Ensure consistent, defensible WHS practices across all tree removal jobs and crews.
• Streamline pre-start planning, site assessment and permitting for high-risk tree work.
• Demonstrate compliance with Australian WHS legislation, Codes of Practice and relevant Australian Standards.
• Improve communication and coordination between climbers, EWP operators, ground crew and supervisors.

Who is this for?

• Arborists
• Tree Workers and Climbing Arborists
• Ground Crew Personnel
• Landscape and Grounds Maintenance Teams
• Civil Construction Supervisors
• Local Council Parks and Gardens Supervisors
• Utilities Vegetation Management Coordinators
• WHS Managers and Safety Advisors
• Small Business Owners in Tree Services
• Facilities and Asset Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Falls from height during climbing or work in elevated work platforms (EWPs)
• Struck-by incidents from falling trees, limbs, tools or debris
• Contact with overhead or underground electrical services
• Chainsaw cuts, kickback injuries and entanglement
• Noise-induced hearing loss from chainsaws, chippers and machinery
• Manual handling injuries from lifting and moving logs and branches
• Caught-in hazards associated with wood chippers, stump grinders and winches
• Slips, trips and falls on uneven, wet or obstructed ground
• Exposure to environmental hazards such as bees, wasps, snakes and irritant plants
• Vehicle and plant interactions in road reserves or public access areas
• Fatigue and heat stress when working outdoors in extreme weather conditions

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Terminology
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 5.0 Pre-Start Planning and Risk Assessment
• 6.0 Site Assessment and Hazard Identification
• 7.0 Permits, Notifications and Service Location (Dial Before You Dig, powerlines)
• 8.0 Traffic and Public Protection Management
• 9.0 Required PPE and Safety Equipment
• 10.0 Tools, Plant and Equipment Requirements (Chainsaws, EWPs, Chippers, Rigging)
• 11.0 Tree Assessment and Selection of Removal Method
• 12.0 Work Positioning, Climbing and Fall Protection Procedures
• 13.0 Chainsaw Operation and Cutting Techniques for Tree Removal
• 14.0 Rigging, Sectional Dismantling and Controlled Felling Procedures
• 15.0 Working Near Overhead and Underground Services
• 16.0 Communication Protocols Between Climbers, EWP Operators and Ground Crew
• 17.0 Manual Handling, Log Handling and Use of Mechanical Aids
• 18.0 Environmental Considerations and Debris Management
• 19.0 Emergency Preparedness and Rescue Procedures (Aerial Rescue, First Aid)
• 20.0 Incident Reporting, Non-Conformance and Corrective Actions
• 21.0 Training, Induction and Competency Verification
• 22.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement of the SOP

Legislation & References

• Model Work Health and Safety Act
• Model Work Health and Safety Regulations
• 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
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks
• AS 4373: Pruning of Amenity Trees
• AS/NZS 1891 series: Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices
• AS/NZS 1576 series: Scaffolding (where temporary work platforms are used)
• AS 2550.10: Cranes, hoists and winches – Safe use – Mobile elevating work platforms
• AS/NZS 3012: Electrical installations – Construction and demolition sites
• State and territory electricity network safety guidelines for vegetation management (e.g. near powerlines)