Product Overview

Summary: This Wood Chipper Operation and Safety SOP sets out clear, step-by-step requirements for safely setting up, operating, maintaining and shutting down wood chippers in Australian workplaces. It helps businesses control the extreme risks associated with high-speed cutting equipment, flying debris and noise, while demonstrating due diligence under WHS legislation.

Wood chippers are among the most hazardous pieces of equipment used in arboriculture, landscaping and grounds maintenance. High-speed cutting mechanisms, powerful infeed systems and the unpredictable nature of branches and green waste create a combination of risks that can result in catastrophic injury if not tightly controlled. This Wood Chipper Operation and Safety SOP provides a structured, practical framework for managing those risks on every job, from pre-start checks and site setup through to emergency response and end-of-day shutdown.

Developed for Australian conditions and WHS expectations, this procedure helps businesses move beyond informal “on-the-job” habits to a consistent, documented system of work. It addresses common causes of serious incidents, such as entanglement in infeed rollers, contact with moving blades, flying debris striking workers or the public, and uncontrolled traffic around work zones. By implementing this SOP, organisations can standardise training, clearly define roles between operator and ground crew, and provide evidence of reasonably practicable control measures aligned with relevant standards and Codes of Practice. The result is safer crews, fewer equipment failures, and reduced exposure to regulatory enforcement and reputational damage.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of serious entanglement, amputation and crush injuries during wood chipper operations.
• Ensure consistent, defensible work methods that align with Australian WHS legislation and industry best practice.
• Standardise training for operators and ground crew, reducing reliance on informal instructions and bad habits.
• Minimise public liability exposure by clearly controlling exclusion zones, debris ejection and traffic interface.
• Extend equipment life and reduce breakdowns through documented pre-start inspections and maintenance checks.

Who is this for?

• Arborists
• Ground Crew and Tree Workers
• Parks and Gardens Staff
• Civil and Landscaping Contractors
• Local Council Outdoor Staff
• Facilities and Grounds Maintenance Teams
• WHS Managers and Safety Advisors
• Site Supervisors and Leading Hands
• Small Business Owners in Tree Services
• Labour Hire and Contractor Coordinators

Hazards Addressed

• Entanglement in infeed rollers and moving parts
• Contact with rotating cutting blades and discs
• Flying debris and projectiles impacting workers or the public
• Noise-induced hearing loss from prolonged exposure to high noise levels
• Manual handling injuries from lifting and feeding heavy branches or logs
• Slips, trips and falls around the work zone and chipper infeed area
• Struck-by incidents from moving vehicles, loaders or passing traffic near the chipper
• Exposure to exhaust fumes and dust in poorly ventilated areas
• Fire risk from hot exhausts, accumulated wood dust and fuel handling
• Equipment failure due to poor maintenance or incorrect setup

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Terminology
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (Operator, Ground Crew, Supervisor)
• 4.0 Competency, Licensing and Training Requirements
• 5.0 Required PPE and Safety Equipment
• 6.0 Pre-Start Inspections and Safety Checks
• 7.0 Site Assessment and Work Area Setup
• 8.0 Traffic and Public Protection Controls
• 9.0 Safe Operating Procedure – Feeding and Chipping
• 10.0 Communication Protocols Between Operator and Ground Crew
• 11.0 Managing Blockages, Jams and Maintenance During Operation
• 12.0 Noise and Dust Control Measures
• 13.0 Manual Handling and Ergonomic Practices
• 14.0 Shutdown, Cleaning and Post-Operation Checks
• 15.0 Emergency Procedures and Incident Response
• 16.0 Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Control Measures
• 17.0 Inspection, Servicing and Maintenance Requirements
• 18.0 Recordkeeping, Monitoring and Review of the Procedure

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and relevant state/territory equivalents)
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (and state/territory equivalents)
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing risks of plant in the workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Hazardous manual tasks
• AS/NZS 4024 series: Safety of machinery
• AS 1742.3: Manual of uniform traffic control devices – Traffic control for works on roads
• AS/NZS 1269 series: Occupational noise management
• Manufacturer’s instructions and safety guidelines for specific wood chipper models