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Tree Lopping and Pruning Risk Assessment

Tree Lopping and Pruning Risk Assessment

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Tree Lopping and Pruning Risk Assessment

Product Overview

Identify and control organisational risks associated with tree lopping, pruning and vegetation management at a management and systems level, using this comprehensive Tree Lopping and Pruning Risk Assessment. This document supports executive Due Diligence, strengthens WHS risk management practices, and helps demonstrate compliance with the WHS Act to reduce organisational and operational liability exposure.

Risk Categories & Hazards Covered

This document assesses risks and outlines management controls for:

  • Governance, WHS Duties and Legal Compliance: Assessment of officer due diligence, PCBU responsibilities, consultation duties, and the integration of WHS obligations into organisational policies and decision-making for tree lopping and pruning operations.
  • Planning, Job Scoping and Risk Management Processes: Management of pre-start planning, site assessment, tree condition evaluation, and formal risk assessment processes to ensure higher-risk work is identified, controlled and authorised before commencement.
  • Worker Competency, Licensing and Training: Evaluation of qualifications, high-risk work licences, arborist competencies, refresher training, and verification-of-competency systems for staff undertaking tree lopping, pruning, climbing, EWP and chainsaw activities.
  • Contractor, Subcontractor and Labour Hire Management: Protocols for prequalification, scope definition, WHS criteria in contracts, monitoring of contractor performance, and ensuring labour hire workers receive appropriate induction, supervision and safe work information.
  • Plant, Equipment and Technology Management: Assessment of selection, inspection and maintenance of chainsaws, chippers, stump grinders, EWPs, cranes, climbing gear, rigging systems and communication technology used in tree operations.
  • Safe Systems of Work and Procedures: Development and oversight of documented procedures, permit-to-work processes, exclusion zones, lock-out/tag-out, and coordination of work methods between ground crews, climbers and operators.
  • Traffic, Public Interface and Property Protection Management: Management of traffic control plans, pedestrian separation, public access restrictions, and measures to prevent damage to buildings, vehicles, utilities and surrounding property during tree works.
  • Emergency Preparedness, Response and Crisis Management: Planning for rescue from heights, aerial rescue, first aid capability, communication protocols, and coordination with emergency services for serious incidents involving falls, struck-by events or utility contact.
  • Fatigue, Workload and Psychosocial Risk Management: Assessment of work scheduling, heat and environmental conditions, workload pressures, remote work arrangements, and psychosocial factors such as stress, conflict and exposure to traumatic events.
  • Incident Reporting, Investigation and Continuous Improvement: Systems for reporting near misses and incidents, conducting root-cause investigations, implementing corrective actions, and reviewing WHS performance trends for ongoing improvement in tree operations.

Who is this for?

This Risk Assessment is designed for Business Owners, General Managers, Operations Managers, and Safety Professionals responsible for planning, overseeing and auditing tree lopping, pruning and vegetation management activities within their organisation or contracting network.

Hazards & Risks Covered

Hazard Risk Description
1. Governance, WHS Duties and Legal Compliance
  • • Failure to identify and discharge PCBU primary duty of care under WHS Act 2011 for high‑risk tree lopping and pruning activities
  • • Lack of clear WHS roles, responsibilities and delegations for directors, managers, supervisors and workers engaged in tree work
  • • Absence of documented WHS policy and safety objectives applicable to arboriculture, tree felling and storm recovery operations
  • • Non-compliance with WHS Regulations, Codes of Practice and Australian Standards relevant to tree work, plant, falls, traffic control and emergency response
  • • Poor change management when introducing new techniques (e.g. chainsaw‑free dismantling systems, mechanical felling, new rigging methods)
  • • Inadequate due diligence by officers (directors/senior managers) in monitoring safety performance in complex operations such as dismantling trees near houses or powerlines
  • • Unclear arrangements when multiple PCBUs operate together (e.g. council, traffic control contractors, crane hire, subcontract climbers after natural disasters)
2. Planning, Job Scoping and Risk Management Processes
  • • Inadequate site assessment and scoping for complex tasks such as dismantling large trees near houses, fences and critical infrastructure
  • • Failure to identify unstable or uprooted trees, compromised root systems or storm‑damaged branches during emergency recovery after natural disasters
  • • Poor hazard identification processes for overhead and underground services (e.g. powerlines, telecommunications, underground utilities)
  • • Lack of systematic assessment of environmental conditions (wind, rain, soil saturation, flood impacts) affecting tree stability and access
  • • Inconsistent use of formal risk assessment, SWMS or job safety analysis for high‑risk tasks such as tree felling (manual and mechanical), crane removals and roadside clearance
  • • Insufficient planning of drop zones, rigging paths and exclusion zones when dismantling trees with chainsaw or chainsaw‑free methods
  • • Inadequate planning for traffic interface when clearing trees from roadways or working adjacent to public areas
  • • Poor planning of staging, access and egress for large‑scale land clearing, mechanical tree felling and remote works
  • • Inadequate assessment of neighbouring property risks (e.g. damage to houses, fences, sheds, pools, services) during dismantling and pruning
3. Worker Competency, Licensing and Training
  • • Workers performing manual or mechanical tree felling without formal competency or adequate experience
  • • Climbers dismantling trees near houses or fences without recognised arborist/ climbing training and supervised competency assessment
  • • Use of chainsaws, stump grinders, EWPs, cranes and mechanical felling equipment by untrained or uncertified operators
  • • Limited understanding of advanced rigging techniques and chainsaw‑free dismantling systems, leading to unsafe setups
  • • Inadequate training in dynamic tree behaviour, storm‑damaged trees, uprooted trees and trees under tension/compression
  • • Lack of training in WHS duties, risk assessment, SWMS implementation and stop‑work authority
  • • Insufficient competency in traffic management for tree clearance from roadways and work near live traffic
  • • Inadequate refresher training, particularly for emergency recovery work after long breaks or during surge events
  • • Language, literacy or cultural barriers preventing effective understanding of WHS procedures
4. Contractor, Subcontractor and Labour Hire Management
  • • Use of subcontract climbers, plant operators or labour hire workers without verifying competence or licences for high‑risk tree work
  • • Inconsistent WHS standards between principal contractor and subcontractors during large tree removals, roadside clearance and disaster recovery
  • • Poor communication of job scope, risk controls and SWMS to subcontractors and labour hire workers
  • • Lack of clarity about supervision arrangements and who has authority to stop work in unsafe conditions
  • • Subcontractors providing equipment (e.g. chainsaws, rigging gear, cranes) that does not meet company or legal safety standards
  • • Inadequate onboarding for short‑term teams during emergency tree recovery surge operations
  • • Payment or contractual arrangements that incentivise speed over safety (e.g. piece‑rate per tree) leading to risk‑taking behaviours
5. Plant, Equipment and Technology Management
  • • Inadequate selection and procurement of chainsaws, stump grinders, mechanical felling equipment, cranes, EWPs and rigging systems for the type and size of trees being worked on
  • • Use of poorly maintained or damaged equipment increasing likelihood of failure during tree dismantling or felling
  • • Insufficient inspection systems for ropes, slings, pulleys and mechanical devices used in tree dismantling and chainsaw‑free systems
  • • Plant not fit for purpose for steep, unstable, waterlogged or debris‑covered ground in post‑disaster environments
  • • Inadequate guarding, emergency stops or safety features on mechanical plant used for tree felling and land clearing
  • • Failure to integrate emerging technologies (e.g. remote‑controlled saws, cranes, mechanised harvesters) safely into existing systems of work
  • • Lack of standardisation of equipment leading to inconsistent safety features and training requirements
  • • Uncontrolled modification of plant or rigging systems outside manufacturer recommendations
6. Safe Systems of Work and Procedures
  • • Absence of standardised procedures for high‑risk tasks such as large tree felling, sectional dismantling near structures, roadside tree clearance and emergency storm response
  • • Inconsistent application of SWMS or safe work procedures across crews and locations
  • • Failure to define exclusion zones, drop zones and no‑go areas in procedures for tree felling and dismantling
  • • Lack of documented decision‑making criteria for choosing between manual, mechanical and chainsaw‑free methods of tree removal
  • • Procedures not adapted for special situations such as uprooted trees, flood‑affected trees or trees laden with debris after storms
  • • Overly complex or generic procedures that workers do not read, understand or follow
  • • No formal process to review and update procedures following incidents, near misses or changes in legislation or standards
7. Traffic, Public Interface and Property Protection Management
  • • Inadequate traffic management when clearing trees from roadways or working adjacent to live traffic lanes
  • • Members of the public entering drop zones or exclusion areas during tree felling and pruning near houses, parks and footpaths
  • • Damage to houses, roofs, fences, sheds, vehicles and other property during tree dismantling or felling near boundaries and structures
  • • Poor communication with residents and businesses about access restrictions, noise, dust and vibration from land clearing and large tree removals
  • • Insufficient planning for emergency vehicle access during large‑scale roadside tree clearance or disaster recovery works
  • • Confusion about which PCBU controls traffic management when multiple parties (council, utility, contractor) operate at the same site
8. Emergency Preparedness, Response and Crisis Management
  • • Lack of structured emergency response plans for incidents such as serious injury, tree or limb collapse, plant rollover, contact with powerlines or struck‑by events
  • • Inadequate preparedness for large‑scale emergency tree recovery after storms, bushfires, cyclones or floods
  • • Insufficient aerial rescue capability for workers aloft in trees or EWPs
  • • Poor communication systems (radio/phone coverage) in remote or disaster‑affected areas
  • • Fatigue and cognitive overload during extended emergency response operations
  • • Unclear coordination with emergency services and local authorities when worksites overlap
  • • Failure to plan for mental health impacts on workers exposed to traumatic events during emergency recovery
9. Fatigue, Workload and Psychosocial Risk Management
  • • Extended working hours and inadequate rest during emergency tree recovery after storms, bushfires and floods
  • • High physical and mental workload when dismantling large hazardous trees near houses and critical infrastructure
  • • Pressure from clients, insurers or the public to clear trees and reopen roads quickly, leading to rushed decisions
  • • Exposure to traumatic scenes during disaster recovery, including property destruction and fatalities
  • • Remote or isolated work increasing stress and reducing support for workers
  • • Conflicts within teams or poor supervisory practices affecting mental health and decision‑making
  • • Stigma or lack of awareness about reporting stress, fatigue or mental health concerns
10. Incident Reporting, Investigation and Continuous Improvement
  • • Under‑reporting of incidents, near misses and hazards related to tree felling, dismantling and storm recovery
  • • Superficial investigations that focus on worker behaviour rather than underlying system and management causes
  • • Failure to identify and act on recurring themes such as dropped limbs, equipment failures or traffic near misses
  • • Poor communication of lessons learned across crews and regions
  • • Lack of integration between WHS data, plant maintenance records and training systems, resulting in missed trends

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 – Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces Code of Practice: Guidance on preventing falls from one level to another, including tree work at height.
  • Safe Work Australia – Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice: Requirements for safe use, inspection and maintenance of plant such as EWPs, chainsaws, chippers and cranes.
  • Safe Work Australia – How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice: Framework for hazard identification, risk assessment and control implementation.
  • Safe Work Australia – Traffic Management in Workplaces Guidance: Principles for managing vehicle and mobile plant interaction with workers and the public.
  • AS 2727: Chainsaws – Guide to safe working practices for chainsaw use in arboricultural operations.
  • AS 2550 series: Cranes, hoists and winches – Safe use, where cranes or similar lifting equipment are utilised in tree removal or pruning.
  • AS 1891 series: Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices – Requirements for harnesses, lanyards and associated equipment used in climbing and aerial work.
  • AS 1742 series: Manual of uniform traffic control devices – Guidance for temporary traffic management around tree work sites.
  • ISO 45001:2018: Occupational health and safety management systems — Requirements with guidance for use, supporting systematic WHS management for tree operations.
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