SAFE WORK
METHOD STATEMENT
SWMS No.: SWMS-TF01 WORK ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Tree Felling
HIGH RISK ACTIVITY: Yes
WORK AT FALLING OBJECTS MANUAL CHAINSAWS NOISE
HEIGHTS HANDLING
This summary page is a non-exhaustive list of hazards and is not a substitute for reading the entire SWMS.
Personal Protective Equipment
High Visibility Foot Protection Long Sleeve Clothing Hearing Protection
Head Protection Fall Protection Eye Protection
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Project Details
Client: Sample Client Project: 123 Fake St, Burwood NSW
Project Start Date: 01/01/2012 Expected Finish Date: 04/01/2011
Project General Induction
Project Specific Requirements:
Job Hazard Assessment (JSA) to be completed prior to work commencement
Activity Requirements
Plant and Equipment Required Chainsaws
for this Activity: Ropes, Harnesses, Pulleys
Plant and Equipment Inspections Daily Plant Inspections to be completed.
Required: All electrical equipment to be tested and tagged.
MSDS(s) Required: Unleaded Petrol
Legislation, Australian Standards
NSW Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004
& Codes of Practice Consulted in
NSW Consolidated Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2007
the Development of this SWMS:
Personnel Qualifications & Work Cover General Induction Card Manual handling training
Training Required for this Certificate III in Arboriculture Chainsaw training
Activity:
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Revision Details
Company: Sydney Tree Removals ABN: 77 226 987 577
Concord Rd
Senior Employer
Business Address: North Strathfield Geoff Ashton (Mob: 0488 222 296)
Representative:
NSW 2137
Business Phone: 0488 222 296 Business Email: geoff@[Link]
Personnel Responsible for Personnel Consulted on
Supervisor Brad Patten
Monitoring this Activity Development of SWMS:
SWMS Approval Date: 01/01/2012 To Be Reviewed By: 01/07/2012
SWMS Review
Acceptance Position Signature Date
We hereby accept the controls as detailed in this Personnel
SWMS and confirm / controls will be Name:
implemented & complied with.
Accepted & Approved by Sydney Tree Removals Managing Director
Representative. Geoff Ashton
Review No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Name &
BP
Initials
Date 01/01/12
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Hierarchy of Control:
Highest level of Control Lowest Level of Control
Elimination Substitution Engineering Administration PPE
The Hierarchy of Control is a list of control measures, in priority order, that can be used to eliminate or minimise exposure to the hazard. Consider elimination before all other
options. Be careful to assess any new hazards that are created by eliminating other hazards.
Risk Matrix
How likely is it to occur?
How severely could it hurt someone or how
ill could it make someone? Very Likely Likely Unlikley Very unlikely
Could happen anytime Could happen sometime Could happen but very rarely Could happen, but probably not
Catastrophic
3 / High 3 / High 3 / High 2 / Medium
Permanent disability or illness
Major
3 / High 3 / High 2 / Medium 2 / Medium
Extensive injuries or long term illness
Moderate
3 / High 2 / Medium 2 / Medium 1 / Low
Medical treatment and several days off work
Minor
2 / Medium 2 / Medium 1 / Low 1 / Low
First aid treatment needed only
Risk Score
Score Action Required
3 / High Do something to immediately minimise the risks. Highest management decision is required to continue work.
2 / Medium Follow management instructions & control measures in place.
1 / Low OK for now. Review if equipment, material, work processes or procedures change.
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Risk Risk
Procedure (in steps) Potential Hazards Before
Control Measures After
Person Responsible
Unknown hazards 3/H 1/L
Step 1 Supervisor
Complete Job Work Crew
Hazard Assessment,
SWMS, & Daily Plant
Inspection
Incorrect procedures
Incorrect protective
equipment
Assess tree/s to be felled. Determine:
Step 2 Personal Injury: 3/H 2/M Supervisor
• size and arrangement of trees
Planning crushing • type of trees (hard/soft wood)high risk area (such Work Crew
being hit by falling as exposed to snow, high winds, insect damage, fire)
object • dangerous trees. Examples :
o branches hanging in tree crown (widow
hit by moving vehicle
makers)
slips, trips, falls o rot, scars, hollows, burns
electric shock o another tree lodged in tree
o nearby hazardous tree
o may uproot easily
o extreme lean
o thick undergrowth
o restricted work area
o wood fibre condition won't allow directional
control of falling tree
Note: Mark dangerous trees with paint or tape. Avoid
manual felling wherever possible. Use machines
(harvester, dozer excavator or skidder (with protective
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structure) or explosives (by licensed persons – UBE )
Assemble crew. Ensure sufficient experience for type of
felling activities.
Allow sufficient time for job - hours/days
Assess intended work area. Determine:
• suitable access/egress (including heavy vehicles)
• location of public/private/logging roads
• suitable machinery/equipment
• provision for amenities (water, toilets, shelter)
• suitable communication
• location of nearest medical facility/first aid
requirements
• level of visibility
• ground conditions (type of soil, broken ground,
stump holes, steep gradients, pits, drop offs,
wells, etc)
• conflicts with environmental issues
• lighting and adequacy of artificial lighting (if
relevant).
Do not work in No-Go Zones of powerlines electrical
power lines unless de-energised/isolated from the power
supply and evidence of the continuing isolation of the
power supply is obtained.
Develop traffic management plan if required (working in
close proximity to mobile plant or roadside works).
Develop site/task specific SWMS as required.
Step 3 Personal Injury: 3/H Test all communication equipment. If unsuitable, do not 2/M Supervisor
Preparation crushing continue. Work Crew
Barricade/place signage in area.
being hit by falling Ensure non-essential persons cannot enter.
object Determine suitable fall area. Ensure fall area includes
hit by moving vehicle two times the length of the tree to:
• persons
slips, trips, falls
• property
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electric shock • roads
• machinery/equipment
• overhead power lines
Note: Increase this distance if felling downhill
Ensure fall area is clear of machinery, equipment,
stumps, brush, other trees.
Select direction of fall based on:
• lean of tree
• heaviest branches
• general crown weight
• type of crown
• wind
• location of escape route
• availability of equipment
• suitability for cross cutting on ground
• vehicle loading/removal
Determine escape route (45 degrees, extending from 6m
min from stump). Clear escape route of vegetation or
other obstacles – ensure clear path.
Ensure weather is suitable. Do not fell in high winds,
extreme rain or lightning storms.
Inspect tree for rot, insect damage or other hazards.
Remove before felling.
Inspect all tools/equipment for damage. Ensure all safety
devices and guards are in place on chainsaw.
Ensure ropes are free of damage, kinks, knots, spliced
joins and adequate SWL.
Ensure all shackles are “D” type with secure pins (no
open-sided C hooks)
Do not operate faulty equipment.
For machinery, ensure:
• suitable capability for powered required
• good cab visibility
• protective structure (FOPS)
• seatbelt in place, working
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• has chain shot guard
• reinforced windscreen
Step 4 Personal Injury: 3/H Prepare tree for felling (cut off low branches). 1/L Supervisor
Ensure no persons in fall area.
Felling crushing Work Crew
Use agreed communication (eg: radio, hand signals
being hit by falling and/or whistles).
object
Trees larger than 200mm:
hit by moving vehicle
• cut scarf (45 degree V shape angle between ¼ to
slips, trips, falls 1/3 diameter of trunk
• scarf should face direction of fall
• ensure hingewood is 1/10 of tree’s diameter
• backcut above scarf in required position. Ensure
more than 1/10 diameter of trunk (but never less
than 50mm)
Trees larger than 200mm:
• insert wedges if required (as soon as possible
after backcut)
• drive home wedges whilst cutting
Once backcut taken up and tree begins to fall:
• use agreed communication to signal fall
• remove saw and switch to off (this allows
operator to hear)
• move to planned escape route
• watch for falling debris
• watch for kickback/bounce.
For much larger trees – use quarter cutting techniques:
• cut scarf as normal
• plan cut (mark felling cuts on map or tree)
• select side of tree for first cut (if rot or lean
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present –use that side)
• Back up to hingewood
• Tap holding wedge in into cut
• Make second cut on safe side.
Using wedges:
• remove bark for wedge position, exposed solid
wood
• drive wedge in with mallet
• drive wedge in as felling cuts proceed
Note: Do not hit plastic wedges into closed cuts as this
can shatter the wedge and cause facial injuries.
For smaller trees - use split level back cut.
Trees with slight lean:
• cut scarf as normal
• start backcut on leaning side
• narrower hingewood than normal
• use wedge
• do second cut at opposite side to lean
• tap wedge in whilst cutting
• drive wedge home – tree falls
Tree with slight lean (leaning back from fall area):
• normal scarf and backcut
• place wedges in direction of lean
Tree fails to fall:
Cut up:
• Use machine to push if possible.
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• If not, do not approach tree in direction of fall
• If safe, insert wedges in backcut.
• If too tight for wedges, rescarf and backcut in
reverse direction (cut above first cut approx 1
diameter of trunk’s height)
Hung-up:
• Use machine
• Do not approach in direction of fall
• If manually – use canthook or levering device to
dislodge.
Note: Do not leave trees in cut-up or hung-up position
unless barricading and clearly signing the area to prevent
persons entering.
Step 5 crushing 3/H Check area where tree fell. Ensure no overhead hazards 1/L Supervisor
(suspended branches, electrical cables etc) or working in
Cross Cutting being hit by falling fall area. Work Crew
object
Check ground conditions. Ensure not slippery, too steep
hit by moving vehicle or near a drop off.
slips, trips, falls Ensure sufficient room to move/work.
electric shock Ensure tree is stable – chock if suitable.
If position of tree is not safe –do not continue. Use
equipment to move tree to safe location.
Do not cross cut if tree suspended above 1.5m.
Walk beside tree, not on top.
Do not stand/walk on felled materials.
Trim branches were required from outside –in.
Watch for limbs under tension (spring back)
Do not bring chainsaw blade into contact with ground.
Ensure chainsaw tip does not contact limbs (kickback).
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Note: Use caution if tree is resting on its branches. When
the branches are cut, it can unbalance the tree, which
can fall onto/crush persons.
Always work uphill to tree.
Do not stand in pathway of root plates (can spring back
into position when trunk cut).
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SWMS Sign-On
We, the undersigned, confirm that we have read this Safe Work Method Statement and understood its contents. We also confirm that we are
qualified to carry out the works identified in this SWMS. We understand that the controls in this SWMS must be applied as documented; otherwise
work is to cease immediately.
Name Signature Date Time Employer
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