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System · 114 documentsPart of Tree Arborist Services Integrated Industry Suite

Tree Felling Mechanical

SWMS · SWMS-10568

  • 16 job steps
  • Version 4

This Tree Felling Mechanical Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) covers the hazards and controls of using earthmoving equipment, such as an excavator or dozer, to push over and remove standing trees.

It covers 16 job steps, from planning, weather checks and working alone to site arrival, the environment, delivering and setting up the machine, communication with ground workers, tree pushing, loading and moving felled trees, working near overhead electric lines, changing and operating attachments, refuelling, completion and emergency response.

It includes controls for high-risk construction work around mobile plant, hazardous atmospheres and traffic corridors, with a risk matrix and environmental controls.

It suits construction companies, landscaping and forestry services, local government bodies managing parklands or roadside vegetation, and any organisation removing trees as part of its work.

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Preview of the Tree Felling Mechanical SWMS

Tree Felling Mechanical

SWMSVersion 4
Company doing the work
[Company]
Business contact and phone
—
Responsible person (for monitoring SWMS and work)
—
Responsible person's phone
—
Responsible person's signature
—
Date signed
—
Principal Contractor (PC)
—
PC Address
—
PC phone
—
Date SWMS provided to PC
—
Job Site Address
—
Part of a construction project
—

Site management plan

If the work is part of a construction project, this SWMS must align with requirements of the Site Management Plan in place for the Construction Project.

High-risk construction work

  • Mobile PlantMobile plant movement
  • Gas MainsPressurised gas distribution mains or piping
  • Hazardous LinesChemical, fuel or refrigerant lines
  • Energised ElectricalEnergised electrical installations or services
  • Hazardous AtmosphereWork in an area that may have a contaminated or flammable atmosphere
  • Traffic CorridorsWork carried out adjacent to a road, railway or shipping lane, traffic corridor

Planning and preparation

Planning/Preparation

  • Liaise with Principal Contractor to identify on-site safety systems and procedures

  • Establish supervisory and communication arrangements

  • Principal contractor to confirm emergency response procedures are in place.

Hold points

  • Hold points identified and signed off before continuing work. (specify the hold points)

Training/Licence

  • All workers to have a General Construction Induction Card

  • Relevant workers have relevant certificates of competency, licenses, and training.

  • Specify on the SWMS Sign-off for each worker.

  • Trained First Aider on site

  • All workers trained in site-specific emergency and evacuation procedures, SWMS, safe work procedures, and safety data sheets.

Worker duties and responsibilities

  • Fit condition for work, i.e., no signs of fatigue, alcohol or drugs

  • Attend all site inductions/briefings

  • Comply with all site requirements, e.g. PPE, Traffic Management Plans (TMP)

  • Only carry out work related to the contract

  • Inspect completed work and report possible safety, environmental and quality matters to the supervisor.

Monitor/Review

  • All people involved in the task must have this SWMS communicated to them before work commences

  • SWMS to be reviewed and amended if necessary, in consultation with relevant people after any near miss or incident

  • If additional site hazards identified, review this SWMS and amend control measures to suit

  • People, including workers, contractors and sub-contractors, affected by the revisions to this SWMS, must be informed ASAP

  • Give the principal contractor a copy of the revised SWMS

  • The site supervisor to monitor works against the controls stated in this SWMS

  • SWMS must be kept on-site and made available for inspection or review

  • Keep a record of this SWMS until the job is complete or for two years if involved in a notifiable incident

  • Regardless of any other factor, the person in control of the workplace must review this SWMS at least annually.

Site-specific notes

Act, regulations, codes of practice references

None listed.

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

  • Foot Protection
  • High Visibility
  • Head Protection
  • Hand Protection
  • Sun Protection
  • Seat Belt

Job steps, hazards and controls

  • Work activity

    Planning

    • Hazard

      Struck by an object

      Before controls4 Acute
      Controls

      • Cabin fitted with shatterproof glass and that the cab is a F.O.P.S. (Falling Object Protective Structure)

      After controls2 Moderate
      Responsible
      • Supervisor
    • Hazard

      Fire

      Before controls4 Acute
      Controls

      • Monitor and observe alerts for not operating machinery on high fire risk days in the area

      • Consider rescheduling operations.

      After controls2 Moderate
      Responsible
      • Supervisor

IR before controls · RR after controls1 LLow2 MModerate3 HHigh4 AAcute

Overall risk after controls2 MModeratethe highest rating after controls

15 more job steps, from Check weather conditions & prepare to Emergency response

Each with its hazards, risk ratings and controls, plus your crew's sign-on.

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What it covers

16 job steps

  1. PlanningPlan the job, protect the cab and watch for high fire risk days
  2. Check weather conditions & prepareCheck the weather and prepare for heat, cold, bites and stings
  3. Working aloneArrange check-ins and a buddy when working alone
  4. Arrival on-site & assess onsite conditionsCheck the site, induction and conditions on arrival
  5. EnvironmentProtect the environment, waste, vegetation, heritage and fauna
  6. Delivery, set-up & removal of the machineDeliver, tie down, set up and remove the machine safely
  7. Establish a communication system with ground workersSet up communication between the operator and ground workers
  8. Tree pushingPush over trees safely from the machine, with the chainsaw and tree shear controls
  9. Loading & moving felled treesLimb, cut and move felled trees within the machine's load limits
  10. Working outside the cabin near the powered mobile plantKeep ground workers clear of mobile plant and follow the traffic plan
  11. Working near overhead electric linesKeep clear of overhead electric lines and follow the supply authority's conditions
  12. Changing attachmentsChange attachments with the plant off and hydraulic pressure released
  13. Operations with hydraulic attachmentsUse hydraulic attachments for their intended purpose and keep people clear
  14. Fuelling the plantRefuel the plant safely and keep fire extinguishers handy
  15. On completionLower attachments, shut down, inspect the plant and sign workers out
  16. Emergency responseRespond to roll-overs and injuries and call emergency services

Hazards it covers

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