Tree work combines height, chainsaws and chippers
Arboriculture — climbing, pruning, trimming and removing trees — combines some of the highest-risk work there is: working at height in trees, chainsaws (including aloft), wood chippers, falling limbs, and often power lines. WorkSafe's guidance and the Arborists' Code set clear expectations: a trained aerial rescue capability on site for work above 3 metres, the climber always secured, never working alone aloft or with a chainsaw, and tight control of the drop zone.
Arboriculture is distinct from forestry harvesting — it is the care and management of individual trees, often in streets, parks and around buildings. The hazards stack up: falls from height in the tree, cutting with a chainsaw while aloft, hand-fed wood chippers that can draw in an operator, falling limbs and sections, manual handling, noise, traffic and pedestrians, and the serious risk of contact with overhead power lines.
| Control | What it looks like |
|---|---|
| Aerial rescue | Any tree work needing an arborist above 3 metres must have a second person on site trained in aerial rescue, with the right rescue equipment and procedures ready. |
| Never alone | No one works alone aloft or with a chainsaw — keep visual or voice contact with someone who can assist or get help, and maintain communication with the climber at all times. |
| Secure the climber | The climber is attached to a suitable anchor above the work area at all times, with no more than half a metre of slack, and a second anchor point when cutting. |
| Chainsaws & chippers | Wear chainsaw leg protection, never drop-start a chainsaw, and follow the manufacturer's guarding and feed controls on hand-fed chippers. |
No person under 15 should work in an arboriculture operation, and young workers must work within their capability, trained or under supervision.
Control who approaches the operation — people must notify the person in charge before entering, and approach from above or level with the work where practicable — with signage and pedestrian or traffic control, and a safety observer where needed. Wear head, eye, hearing and leg protection. Where trees are near power lines, treat it as electrical work with minimum approach distances — see electricity & lines. Read alongside working at height, machine guarding for chippers, and forestry.
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It combines several serious hazards at once — working at height in trees, using a chainsaw aloft, hand-fed wood chippers, falling limbs, and often overhead power lines — so the controls have to address all of them together.
WorkSafe's guidance requires a second person on site trained in aerial rescue, with the right rescue equipment and procedures ready, for any tree work needing an arborist to climb above 3 metres.
No one should work alone aloft or with a chainsaw. There must be visual or voice contact with someone able to assist or get help, and effective communication with the climber at all times.
The climber is attached to a suitable anchor point above the work area at all times, with no more than half a metre of slack in the line, and a second anchor point when cutting.
Treat it as electrical work. Recognise the electrical hazard, keep to minimum approach distances, and don't rely on a helmet for shock protection. Specific WorkSafe guidance covers tree work around power lines.
