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Undertaking Arborist Activities Risk Assessment

Undertaking Arborist Activities Risk Assessment

  • • 100% Compliant with Australian WHS Acts & Regulations
  • • Fully Editable MS Word & PDF Formats Included
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  • • Includes 2 Years of Free Compliance Updates

Undertaking Arborist Activities Risk Assessment

Product Overview

Identify and control organisational risks associated with Undertaking Arborist Activities through a structured, management-level WHS Risk Management framework that supports planning, governance, and systems development. This Risk Assessment helps demonstrate Due Diligence under the WHS Act, reducing organisational exposure to enforcement action, civil claims, and operational liability.

Risk Categories & Hazards Covered

This document assesses risks and outlines management controls for:

  • Governance, Legal Compliance and PCBU Duties: Assessment of WHS responsibilities for officers and PCBUs, alignment of policies and procedures with legislative requirements, and oversight of arborist operations across the organisation.
  • Contractor and Subcontractor Management: Management of pre-qualification, scope definition, safety documentation, and performance monitoring for contracted arborist crews and specialist service providers.
  • Competency, Licensing and Training Systems: Evaluation of competency frameworks, licence and ticket verification, refresher training, and verification of competency (VOC) for climbing, chainsaw, EWP and plant operations.
  • Planning, Job Allocation and Risk Management Processes: Assessment of pre-start planning, site-specific risk assessments, job safety analysis, and allocation of suitably skilled personnel to complex tree work and high-risk tasks.
  • Plant, Equipment and PPE Management Systems: Management of selection, inspection, maintenance and retirement of chainsaws, chippers, stump grinders, EWPs, ropes, harnesses and associated PPE used in arborist operations.
  • Work at Height, Climbing and Fall Prevention Systems: Evaluation of climbing systems, anchor point selection, fall arrest and work positioning methods, rescue planning, and controls for working aloft in trees and from elevated work platforms.
  • Traffic, Public Interface and Site Access Management: Protocols for traffic control, exclusion zones, pedestrian management, and protection of the public when undertaking tree works near roads, footpaths, parks and built-up areas.
  • Environmental and Weather Risk Management: Assessment of high-wind, storm, heat, rain and lightning exposure, tree stability and structural integrity, wildlife interactions, and environmental protection obligations.
  • Emergency Preparedness, First Aid and Rescue Systems: Management of aerial rescue capability, emergency equipment, first aid coverage, incident response procedures and coordination with emergency services.
  • Health, Fatigue and Psychosocial Risk Management: Evaluation of physical strain, repetitive tasks, noise and vibration exposure, heat stress, fatigue from extended shifts, and psychosocial risks such as stress and remote or isolated work.
  • Information, Communication, Consultation and Documentation: Systems for toolbox talks, pre-start briefings, consultation with workers and contractors, and maintenance of records, permits, work instructions and risk assessments.
  • Monitoring, Audit, Incident Management and Continuous Improvement: Processes for inspections, audits, incident and near-miss reporting, investigation, corrective actions, and ongoing improvement of arborist safety management systems.

Who is this for?

This Risk Assessment is designed for Business Owners, PCBU Officers, Operations Managers and Safety Professionals responsible for planning, overseeing and governing Undertaking Arborist Activities within their organisation or contracting network.

Hazards & Risks Covered

Hazard Risk Description
1. Governance, Legal Compliance and PCBU Duties
  • • Lack of clear allocation of WHS duties between PCBU, officers, workers and subcontractors undertaking arborist activities
  • • Failure to identify and comply with WHS Act 2011, WHS Regulation and relevant Codes of Practice (e.g. Tree Trimming and Removal, Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces, Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work)
  • • Inadequate WHS policy framework specific to high-risk arborist work (e.g. tree felling near powerlines, use of chainsaws, climbing systems)
  • • Poor due diligence by officers (directors/senior managers) in monitoring WHS performance for arborist operations
  • • Inadequate system for consultation with workers and HSRs about changes to plant, methods or scheduling of arborist work
  • • Insufficient integration of WHS requirements into business planning, procurement and tendering for arborist contracts
2. Contractor and Subcontractor Management
  • • Engagement of arborist contractors without verification of competency, licences, insurances or WHS management systems
  • • Inconsistent WHS standards between internal crews and external contractors performing arborist work
  • • Inadequate pre-qualification and selection criteria for high-risk arboricultural tasks (e.g. complex tree removals, crane use, work near roads or utilities)
  • • Lack of clarity over who controls the workplace and who is responsible for implementing and monitoring control measures
  • • Poor communication and coordination between multiple PCBUs at shared worksites, including utility providers, traffic control providers and principal contractors
  • • Failure to monitor contractor WHS performance, leading to unmanaged drift from agreed safe systems of work
3. Competency, Licensing and Training Systems
  • • Arborist workers performing complex tree work without formal competency or adequate verification of skills and experience
  • • Inadequate training in hazard identification and risk assessment specific to arboriculture (e.g. tree stability, wind loading, decay, overhead services)
  • • Insufficient training on safe use and limitations of climbing systems, MEWPs/EWPs, chainsaws, rigging systems and chippers
  • • Lack of up-to-date training for work near overhead or underground electrical assets in line with network operator requirements
  • • No structured refresher training, resulting in skill fade and outdated practices being used
  • • Supervisors and team leaders lacking leadership and WHS management training for overseeing arborist crews
4. Planning, Job Allocation and Risk Management Processes
  • • Arborist work planned without adequate pre-site risk assessment, tree assessment or consideration of alternative methods (e.g. mechanical access vs climbing)
  • • Poor integration of WHS risk assessment into job planning, leading to last-minute decisions under time pressure
  • • Lack of defined criteria for classifying tree work complexity and required technical expertise, equipment and supervision levels
  • • Inadequate consideration of environmental and site conditions (wind, slope, soil conditions, wildlife, public interface, traffic, utilities) during planning
  • • Scheduling pressures and unrealistic timeframes that encourage unsafe shortcuts and insufficient set-up time for controls
  • • Failure to review incidents, near misses or lessons learned when planning similar arborist works
5. Plant, Equipment and PPE Management Systems
  • • Use of unsuitable or poorly maintained plant for arborist activities (chainsaws, chippers, stump grinders, MEWPs/EWPs, cranes, rigging gear, climbing equipment)
  • • Lack of systematic inspection and tagging regime for climbing ropes, harnesses, connectors, rigging equipment and fall-arrest systems
  • • Inadequate procurement controls leading to purchase of non-compliant or incompatible equipment and PPE
  • • Failure to maintain up-to-date records of inspections, servicing and repairs to critical plant and equipment
  • • Inconsistent provision and management of PPE (e.g. helmets with chin straps, hearing protection, chainsaw protective clothing, eye protection, cut-resistant gloves)
  • • Poor management of plant modifications or attachments (e.g. winches, grapples) that may change risk profiles or invalidate manufacturer guidance
6. Work at Height, Climbing and Fall Prevention Systems
  • • Lack of a consistent system for planning and controlling work at height for arborist activities, including tree climbing and use of MEWPs/EWPs
  • • Inadequate assessment of tree structural integrity prior to climbing, increasing risk of anchor point failure or whole-tree failure
  • • No standardised climbing and rigging techniques or equipment configurations across crews and contractors
  • • Insufficient systems for inspection, testing and retirement of ropes, harnesses, lanyards and connectors used in arborist climbing systems
  • • Poor integration of fall prevention measures into job planning for work on slopes, embankments, access tracks and elevated work platforms
  • • Limited governance over aerial rescue planning, capability and response times
7. Traffic, Public Interface and Site Access Management
  • • Inadequate systems for managing interaction between arborist operations and road traffic, pedestrians and cyclists
  • • Lack of consistent use of traffic management planning for work on or adjacent to roads, driveways and public pathways
  • • Poor control of exclusion zones around tree felling, branch lowering, chipping operations and crane lifts
  • • Insufficient coordination with road authorities, local councils and utility providers where required permits or notifications are needed
  • • Uncontrolled public access to work areas in parks, schools, playgrounds and residential streets
  • • Inadequate signage, barriers and communication equipment for field crews
8. Environmental and Weather Risk Management
  • • Lack of systematic consideration of weather conditions (wind, rain, storms, heat, lightning) in scheduling and authorising arborist work
  • • Poor assessment of soil conditions, ground stability and slope, increasing risk of equipment overturning or tree failure
  • • Extreme temperatures leading to heat stress, dehydration or cold-related health impacts for arborist crews
  • • Inadequate controls for wildlife hazards (bees, wasps, possums, snakes, birds) in trees or surrounding vegetation
  • • No structured process for assessing fire danger, smoke, dust or air quality impacts on arborist operations
  • • Failure to manage environmental impacts of arborist work (e.g. debris, contamination, noise) in line with organisational and regulatory expectations
9. Emergency Preparedness, First Aid and Rescue Systems
  • • Inadequate organisational planning for emergencies specific to arborist work, including falls from height, entrapment, contact with electricity, severe cuts and crush injuries
  • • Lack of documented and practised aerial rescue procedures for climbers and MEWP/EWP operators
  • • Insufficient first aid equipment and trained first aiders within arborist crews and depots
  • • Poor communication systems for summoning emergency services, especially in remote or semi-remote locations
  • • No coordinated arrangements with local emergency services for complex rescue scenarios involving heights, confined spaces or powerlines
  • • Failure to review and update emergency plans following incidents or exercises
10. Health, Fatigue and Psychosocial Risk Management
  • • Prolonged physical workload, awkward postures and repetitive tasks leading to musculoskeletal disorders among arborist workers
  • • Inadequate systems for managing fatigue associated with early starts, long days, seasonal peaks and travel between sites
  • • Exposure to noise, vibration and exhaust emissions without robust health monitoring programs
  • • Psychosocial hazards including time pressure, high job demands, remote work, exposure to traumatic incidents (e.g. storm damage response) and conflict with members of the public
  • • Insufficient support for workers returning from injury or illness, leading to aggravation or recurrence of conditions
  • • Lack of health surveillance and wellbeing programs tailored to arborist workforces
11. Information, Communication, Consultation and Documentation
  • • Workers and contractors not receiving current WHS information, procedures or updates relevant to arborist activities
  • • Ineffective communication pathways between management, supervisors and field crews, leading to inconsistent implementation of systems
  • • Inadequate consultation mechanisms for workers to raise WHS issues or contribute to improvements in arborist work systems
  • • Poor document and record control, resulting in outdated procedures or missing evidence of compliance (e.g. training, inspections, permits)
  • • Language, literacy or cultural barriers that limit understanding of critical WHS requirements
  • • Limited feedback loops from inspections, audits and incidents into documented procedures and training materials
12. Monitoring, Audit, Incident Management and Continuous Improvement
  • • Lack of systematic monitoring of WHS performance for arborist operations, leading to unrecognised trends and recurring issues
  • • Under-reporting of incidents, near misses and hazards due to complex systems or fear of blame
  • • Inadequate investigation of serious incidents or near misses, resulting in superficial corrective actions
  • • Failure to verify that corrective actions from incidents, audits and inspections are implemented and effective
  • • Limited use of lead indicators (e.g. training completion, inspection rates, behavioural observations) in management decision-making
  • • Insufficient integration of contractor performance data into overall WHS performance reviews

Need to add specific hazards for your workplace?

Don't worry if a specific hazard isn't listed above. Once you purchase, simply log in to your Client Portal and add your own custom hazards at no extra cost. We take care of the hard work—creating the risk ratings and control measures for free—to ensure your document is compliant within minutes.

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

  • Work Health and Safety Act 2011
  • Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017
  • AS/NZS ISO 31000:2018: Risk management — Guidelines
  • Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks: Guidance on systematic risk management processes.
  • Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces: Requirements and controls for work at height, including tree work and EWP use.
  • Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace: Risk control measures for chainsaws, chippers, stump grinders, EWPs and mobile plant.
  • Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: First Aid in the Workplace: Requirements for first aid equipment, facilities and response for high-risk arborist operations.
  • AS 2727: Chainsaws – Guide to safe working practices, supporting safe systems of work for chainsaw use in arboriculture.
  • AS/NZS 1891 (Series): Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices, including harnesses, lanyards and anchor systems used in tree climbing and EWP work.
  • AS/NZS 1576 & AS/NZS 4576: Scaffolding and guidance on safe use where temporary work platforms are used in arborist activities.
  • AS 1742 (Series): Manual of uniform traffic control devices for traffic management around roadside tree works.
Standard Risk Assessment Features (Click to Expand)
  • Comprehensive hazard identification for all activities
  • Risk rating matrix with likelihood and consequence analysis
  • Existing control measures evaluation
  • Residual risk assessment after controls
  • Hierarchy of controls recommendations
  • Action priority rankings
  • Review and monitoring requirements
  • Consultation and communication records
  • Legal compliance references
  • Sign-off and approval sections

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Safe Work Australia Aligned