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Tree Felling - Manual

SWMS · SWMS-10278

  • 15 job steps
  • Version 7

This Tree Felling - Manual Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) covers the hazards and controls of felling trees by hand, including chainsaw use, working near power lines and protecting workers and the public.

It covers 15 job steps, from training, planning and checking the weather, through arrival on-site, work area set-up, the environment, housekeeping and manual tasks, to powered and non-powered tools, tree felling, cross-cutting, moving and loading felled trees, fuelling on-site, completion and emergency response.

It includes controls for high-risk construction work around mobile plant, energised electrical services, hazardous atmospheres and traffic corridors, and an emergency response for injuries, fatalities and environmental damage.

It suits businesses and professionals in arboriculture, forestry, landscaping and any operation that involves manual tree felling.

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Preview of the Tree Felling - Manual SWMS

Tree Felling - Manual

SWMSVersion 7
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)
[Principal contractor]
PC address
—
PC phone
[PC phone]
Date SWMS provided to PC
—
Job site address
[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

This work activity involves the following “High-Risk Construction Work” (HRCW – identified in the Job Task column):

  • Mobile Plant
  • 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 and licences

  • 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.

Monitoring and 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

Legislation and codes of practice

None listed.

Personal protective equipment

  • Foot Protection
  • Hearing Protection
  • High Visibility
  • Head Protection
  • Eye Protection
  • Hand Protection
  • Protective Clothing
  • Sun Protection
  • Safety Harness

Do not wear rings, watches or jewellery that may become entangled. Long and loose hair must be tied back.

Job steps, hazards and controls

  • Work activity

    Training

    • Hazard

      Untrained workers

      Before controls4 Acute
      Controls

      • Ensure operators are trained and experienced in understanding tree felling operations

      • Trained in determining tree height

      • Accredited chainsaw operator (advanced felling if dealing with hazardous trees)

      • All relevant workers involved in the use of a chainsaw must be suitably trained and deemed competent to operate the chainsaw

      • Chainsaw training of operators must include:

        • Review of operating manual

        • Starting the chainsaw and cutting techniques

        • Removal of the guard for maintenance work including restrictions on who may do the work

        • Actions, including who and how to notify, if a guard is found removed or missing

        • Practical instructions on how to replace and sharpen the chain

      • Knowledge of dangerous tree types.

      After controls2 Moderate
      Responsible
      • Supervisor
    • Hazard

      Roadside work

      Before controls4 Acute
      Controls

      • All people working adjacent to traffic appropriately trained.

      After controls2 Moderate
      Responsible
      • Supervisor

IR before controls · RR after controls1 LLow2 MModerate3 HHigh4 AAcute

Overall risk after controls2 MModeratethe highest rating after controls

14 more job steps, from Planning to Emergency response

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

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What it covers

15 job steps

  1. TrainingTrain operators in tree felling and chainsaw use
  2. PlanningGet an electrical permit before working within the safe approach distance of power lines
  3. Check weather conditions & prepareCheck the weather and prepare for heat, cold, bites, stings and hazardous plants
  4. Arrival on-site & assess onsite conditionsPark safely, report in and assess the site and the tree
  5. Work area set-upSet up traffic management, barriers and a clearance zone
  6. EnvironmentControl noise, waste, fuels, runoff and harm to vegetation and fauna
  7. House keepingKeep the work area clear to prevent slips, trips and falls
  8. Manual tasksLift and move materials safely to avoid strain injuries
  9. Working with powered & non-powered toolsInspect and use tools as the manufacturer instructs
  10. Tree fellingClear the area, plan escape routes and fell the tree
  11. Cross-cuttingCross-cut safely, watching for limbs under tension
  12. Moving & loading felled treesKeep groundworkers clear and control loads when moving felled trees
  13. Fuelling on-siteRefuel safely with no smoking and the right extinguisher
  14. On completionAdjust barricades, sign out and use designated routes
  15. Emergency responseCall 000, follow emergency procedures and give first aid

Hazards it covers

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