Tree work is safe only when the tree, site, people and equipment are assessed together before cutting starts. Use competent workers, choose the safest workable access method, control the drop zone, plan communications and rescue, and review the plan when conditions change.
Information current: 6 August 2026.
Main hazards in tree work
Tree work includes pruning, lopping, trimming, transplanting and removal, as well as climbing, wood chipping, stump grinding and root pruning. Several hazards can affect the crew, nearby trades and the public at once.
Common hazards include:
- falling trees, limbs, tools and rigging
- weak, dead, split, storm-damaged or decayed trees
- falls from trees, ladders, roofs or elevating work platforms
- chainsaws, woodchippers, stump grinders and mobile plant
- overhead electric lines and underground services
- suspended loads, traffic, pedestrians and unauthorised entry
- unstable ground, severe weather, fire danger, noise, fatigue and poor communication.
The risk can change after each cut. A branch may move or load the remaining tree differently, so keep checking the tree and work area.
What to sort out before work starts
Inspect the tree and site with a competent person. Confirm the scope, structural defects, ground, weather, access, structures, services and possible fall or swing paths. Choose workers and equipment suited to the task.
Agree who controls the job, who may enter and how the crew will communicate. Signals or radios need to work despite machinery noise and distance. Coordinate with the builder, principal contractor, site controller and other trades so their work does not conflict with the tree-work zone.
Set and clearly communicate exclusion and drop zones. Consider separate controls for pedestrians, vehicles and plant. Public-area work may also need traffic management and council approval.
Plan for first aid and emergencies before anyone climbs or leaves the ground in an EWP. For work at height, match the rescue plan to the access system, crew and site. Rescue equipment and emergency contacts should be ready, and the planned response should be understood and tested.
What good controls and documents usually cover
Start with methods that eliminate or reduce exposure. Can the task be completed from the ground? Can an EWP provide safer access than climbing? Can people, vehicles and other work be isolated from the drop zone?
Good controls commonly include:
- a stable work position and an access method suited to the tree and terrain
- exclusion zones, barriers, signs, spotters and traffic controls
- inspected, maintained and suitable climbing gear, rigging, chainsaws and plant
- a planned cutting or lowering sequence and clear escape paths
- electrical controls based on current regulator and network-operator requirements
- reliable communication between elevated and ground workers
- competent operators and direct supervision where needed
- task-appropriate PPE and controls for noise, weather and fatigue
- stop-work and review points when the tree, weather or work method changes.
Useful documents may include a risk assessment or JSA, safe work procedure, plant records, traffic plan, emergency and rescue plan, competency records, pre-start record and required permits.
When a SWMS or another site-specific document applies
If the tree work is part of construction work, check whether any high-risk construction work trigger applies and whether a SWMS is required before work starts. Confirm this against current requirements in the relevant state or territory and the builder's site rules.
The SWMS should be specific to the high-risk construction work and the actual site. It should connect the hazards and controls to the work sequence, responsibilities, monitoring and review. It should not be treated as a generic tree-work manual.
Without a SWMS trigger, a site-specific risk assessment, JSA, work plan or permit can still record changing conditions, zones, coordination, communications and rescue.
Warning signs: stop and reassess
Pause the work when:
- decay, cracking, root movement or hanging material is worse than expected
- the weather, fire danger, visibility or ground stability deteriorates
- the exclusion zone cannot be maintained
- workers cannot communicate reliably
- plant, ropes, anchors, rigging or protective equipment are damaged or unsuitable
- a powerline, service, structure or public-access issue was missed
- the intended load path, fall direction or escape route changes
- the crew cannot carry out the planned rescue.
Restart after assessing the change, adjusting controls and consulting affected workers.
How Blue Safe helps
Blue Safe provides compliant WHS documents tailored to the client's activities, applicable Australian WHS/OHS requirements, jurisdiction and industry. For tree work, this may include procedures, risk assessments, SWMS, emergency and rescue planning, plant records, consultation forms and supporting site documentation.
Blue Safe guarantees the document compliance of the WHS documents it provides, including eligible customer documents after Blue Safe has reviewed and upgraded them. Customers actively put the compliant documents into practice through controls, consultation, training, actions, records and evidence.
Official sources
- SafeWork NSW — Tree works Code of Practice
- NSW Work Health and Safety Act 2011
- NSW Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025
Local requirements vary. Check current regulator, electricity network operator and local authority material for the place where the work will occur. National Model Codes are useful general orientation, but they are not automatically applicable law in every jurisdiction.