Tree Pruning and Removal (Under 4 Metres)

This SWMS identifies seven major hazards: (1) Chainsaw injuries - kickback, lacerations, amputation - require AS/NZS 4453.3 protective chaps and AHCMOM213 competency. Kickback is the leading cause of chainsaw injuries. (2) Falling branches and widow makers - uncontrolled branch fall from 4m height impacts with 500+ kg force. Use rope-lowering technique. (3) Overhead powerline contact - CRITICAL hazard causing electrocution. Maintain 3m safe distance for typical residential lines (<66kV), 6m for medium voltage. Contact electricity distributor before work. (4) Chipper entanglement - feed roller draw-in causes amputation in milliseconds. Use push-stick only, never hands in hopper. (5) Manual handling of heavy branches (10-30kg) causes back, shoulder, and knee injuries. (6) UV and heat stress from outdoor work - Australian outdoor workers have 10x greater skin cancer risk. (7) Noise from chainsaws (100-115 dB(A)) causes permanent hearing loss.

Mandatory competencies: AHCMOM213 (Chainsaw operation) required for any chainsaw use - covers safety, maintenance, and hazard management (2-3 days training). AHCARB205 (Tree felling) required for tree removal operations - covers felling techniques and branch hazard management (3-5 days). AHCMOM214 (Stump grinder operation) required only if stump grinding is part of scope. Mandatory training: Working near overhead powerlines (1-2 hours) if work within 10m of powerlines - required for all team members. Chipper operation training (1-2 hours) if using chipper/mulcher. Recommended: First aid certificate (HLTAID011) given severe injury risks. Ladder safety and working at height training (1-2 hours) if ladder work required.

Chainsaw protective chaps or trousers to AS/NZS 4453.3 are the MOST CRITICAL PPE item - they must be worn by every chainsaw operator. Chaps contain cut-resistant material (polyester or aramid fibre) that jams the chain if contacted, typically stopping kickback injuries before they cause severe lacerations or amputation. Full-length protective trousers (both legs) provide equivalent protection. Chaps must fit properly and be secured with velcro/straps. Replace chaps after any chainsaw cut. Additional critical controls: maintain sharp chain (reduces kickback by preventing binding and binding), never operate one-handed, avoid kickback zones (do not use bar tip for cutting), keep elbows in and firm stance, use forestry helmet with face screen.

Powerline safety procedures: (1) BEFORE starting work, identify all powerlines within 10m of tree. Check powerline pole for voltage marking and safe approach distance sign. (2) MANDATORY: Contact electricity distributor minimum one week before work if tree is within safe approach distance (3m for typical residential <66kV, 6m for 66-132kV). Distributor phone number is posted on powerline poles. (3) Do NOT start any work without distributor approval or presence - they may trim powerline, isolate circuit, or determine work is unsafe. (4) Maintain safe approach distances: 3m minimum for low voltage, 6m for medium voltage. Mark safe zone with barriers. (5) Assume ALL powerlines are LIVE and energised - never test or touch. (6) If accidental contact occurs: DO NOT TOUCH worker or powerline, call 000 and distributor, wait for de-energisation before rescue. (7) Use non-conductive tools (fibreglass poles) near powerlines.

Rope-lowering technique is the critical control for falling branch hazards: (1) For branches 10cm diameter or larger, never allow free fall. (2) Secure a rope above branch position (tie to stable anchor or spotter holds). (3) Make partial cut with chainsaw (do not sever completely). (4) Control descent by managing rope tension - spotter carefully lowers branch at controlled speed instead of free fall. (5) Once branch reaches ground level, complete the final cut. (6) This technique reduces fall energy from 500+ kg impact force to near zero - prevents crushing injuries to head/torso. (7) Two operators required: one cutting, one managing rope descent with continuous communication. (8) Never stand directly below branches being lowered - position to side at minimum 2m distance. (9) Establish drop zone (2x tree height in all directions) with exclusion barriers before starting work.

Chipper/mulcher entanglement is a CRITICAL hazard: (1) Feed roller operates at 200-400 rpm, much slower than final cutting blades (1200-3000 rpm), but draw-in force exceeds human strength. (2) Hand or arm contact with feed roller causes immediate draw-in - operator cannot stop or escape. (3) Injuries progress from laceration to crushing amputation in milliseconds. (4) Multiple fatalities from chipper entanglement documented in Australia and globally. (5) Secondary hazard: hard objects (rocks, metal, tree nails) become projectiles (30+ mph) from discharge chute, causing blindness and facial/head injuries. CRITICAL CONTROLS: (1) NEVER use hands to feed material into hopper - ALWAYS use push-stick or feed tongs (operator maintains 1m+ distance from feed opening). (2) Break branches into small pieces (max 10cm diameter) for proper feeding. (3) Establish 3m exclusion zone around chipper during operation - no personnel in discharge zone. (4) Only trained operators use chipper. (5) Emergency stop button on operator controls. (6) Feed door interlock - engine stops if door opened.

Heat stress management: (1) Check UV index and heat forecast before starting work each day. (2) Schedule work outside peak UV hours (10am-2pm) where possible - start early (6-7am in summer) for cooler morning work. (3) Schedule heavy physical tasks (felling, climbing, loading) for morning cool period. (4) Establish mandatory hydration protocol: drink 250mL water or electrolyte drink every 15-20 minutes (not waiting until thirsty). (5) Rest breaks in shade minimum 10-15 minutes every hour if temperature exceeds 35°C. (6) Continuous monitoring of all workers for heat stress symptoms: headache, excessive sweating, confusion, dizziness, nausea, fatigue. (7) Never allow worker to work alone - buddy system for monitoring. (8) HEAT STROKE is a LIFE-THREATENING EMERGENCY: call 000 immediately, move to shade, remove clothing, aggressive cooling with water spray and ice packs on neck/armpits/groin. Do NOT wait for improvement - begin treatment immediately. (9) Temporary shade shelter (gazebo) at work area. (10) Lightweight, light-coloured PPE where possible. (11) Apply SPF 50+ sunscreen before work and reapply every 2 hours.

Chainsaw kickback: (1) Occurs when chain catches on object during cutting, typically at bar tip (top of bar), causing rapid reverse rotation and throwing chainsaw/cutting hand toward operator at 40-60 mph. (2) Leading cause is contacting knots, nails, or binding in wood during cutting. (3) Dull chain significantly increases kickback risk (5-10x) by causing binding and requiring excessive operator force. (4) Loose chain jumps off guide bar, tight chain increases force response. PREVENTION CONTROLS: (1) Maintain sharp chain - sharpen every 1-2 hours or when cutting force increases noticeably. (2) Maintain correct chain tension (manufacturer specification). (3) Use guide bar with round-nose profile (8mm radius minimum) instead of square nose - dramatically reduces kickback initiation. (4) Never cut with bar tip - always use side of bar for cutting. (5) Never cut through knots, nails, or metals (increases kickback 10x). (6) Proper cutting technique: angle bar away from body, keep elbows in, feed wood smoothly. (7) Firm stance with feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent, ready to absorb forces. (8) Never operate one-handed. (9) Modern chainsaws have automatic chain brake that stops chain within 300ms of kickback detection - reduces injury severity. (10) Wear chainsaw protective chaps (AS/NZS 4453.3) - most critical PPE for kickback protection.

Mandatory PPE for all tree work: (1) Chainsaw protective chaps/trousers (AS/NZS 4453.3) - CRITICAL for any chainsaw operation. Minimum 30cm leg coverage with cut-resistant material. Replace after any chainsaw cut. (2) Safety helmet with integrated face screen and hearing protection (AS/NZS 1801, 1337, 1270) - forestry helmet preferred. Face screen minimum 1mm polycarbonate thickness protects against flying sawdust and branch fragments. (3) Chainsaw safety boots (AS/NZS 2210.3) with steel cap and cut-resistant overlay on sides/ankles. Oil-resistant sole. (4) Work gloves with vibration dampening (AS/NZS 2161) - leather or synthetic for general work. (5) High-visibility clothing (AS/NZS 4602) - hi-vis vest or shirt. (6) Long-sleeved shirt and long trousers for abrasion/scratch protection. (7) Hearing protection Class 5 (AS/NZS 1270) during chainsaw (100-115 dB(A)), chipper (95-110 dB(A)), stump grinder (95-105 dB(A)) operation. Integrated muffs on forestry helmet satisfy this requirement. (8) Safety glasses or face shield (AS/NZS 1337) for eye protection. (9) Sun protection: wide-brim hat (7.5cm+ brim), UPF 50+ long sleeves, SPF 50+ broad-spectrum sunscreen applied every 2 hours.

Typical work scope: (1) Small tree pruning only (routine maintenance, branches under 10cm, no felling): 1-2 days for small property trees, 1-3 workers. (2) Pruning and removal of multiple trees under 4m: 2-3 days for residential yard with 3-5 trees, 2-4 workers. (3) Complex work (trees near powerlines, storm damage, protected trees): 3-5 days, 2-4 workers depending on complexity. (4) Stump grinding only (existing stumps): 0.5-1 day depending on stump quantity and size, 1-2 workers. CREW COMPOSITION: Minimum 2 workers (operator + spotter/ground crew) for safety. Optimal 3-4 workers: chainsaw operator, spotter/ground crew member, equipment operator (chipper), material handler. FACTORS AFFECTING DURATION: (1) Tree species and size - larger/harder wood slower. (2) Tree condition - dead/brittle trees faster, storm damage slower due to hazards. (3) Branch size - larger branches requiring rope-lowering extend time. (4) Distance to waste disposal (chipper on-site faster vs hand-carrying to off-site). (5) Powerline proximity requires electricity distributor coordination (adds 1-2 weeks lead time). (6) Site access (tight urban gardens vs open properties). (7) Weather conditions - rain/wind reduces efficiency and increases hazards.

Professional arborist referral: (1) Trees within 10m of overhead powerlines - electricity distributor may require licensed arborist due to electrocution risk. (2) Trees over 4m height - exceeds scope of this SWMS. Larger trees require additional equipment (elevated work platforms, rigging equipment) and higher fall risks. (3) Trees over main building structures - risk of roof/building damage if branch/tree falls. (4) Dead or disease trees with extensive rot - structural integrity may fail unexpectedly. (5) Storm-damaged trees with multiple widow makers and hazardous branches - complex assessment needed. (6) Protected trees under council heritage or regulations - may require specialist arborist permit. (7) Trees in confined spaces (between buildings, over parked vehicles, adjacent to public footpaths) - complex hazard management. (8) Crew lacks mandatory competencies (AHCMOM213 chainsaw, AHCARB205 tree felling) - cannot legally perform work. (9) Commercial/public liability insurance - your home insurance may not cover tree work injury/damage; professional arborists carry appropriate insurance. (10) Complex pruning requiring specialist knowledge of tree species and preservation of tree health - arborists trained in preservation techniques.