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This Code has been compiled by the Tree Guild of WA Inc, for workers engaged in the Tree Care Industry.

It was developed in consultation with WorkSafe WA by a sub-committee from the Tree Guild comprising the following members:

• Tim Keevil
• Gary Williamson
• Jeff Ashe
• Dennis Hall

This Code is a revision of the Tree Guild of WA Inc Standard for Safe Work Practices 1993.

The objective of this Code is to provide minimum safety requirements and guidance on meeting the legislative requirements relating to safety and health when climbing, pruning, repairing, maintaining and removing trees.

This Code is intended to apply to any employer, self employed persons and employees engaged in a business, trade, or performance of tree pruning, trimming, repair, maintenance, removal, wood chipping or stump grinding.

NOTE:       This Code is not intended to be a substitute for training.

For further information on matters covered in this Code contact The Tree Guild of WA Inc Tel 9351 5804 Fax 9350 5147 PO Box 794 CANNINGTON WA 6107

The Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 sets objectives to promote and improve occupational safety and health standards. The Act sets out broad duties and is supported by more detailed requirements in the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996. The legislation is further supported by guidance material such as approved codes of practice.

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ACT		Major provisions: The General Duties Resolution of Issues Safety and Health Representatives Safety and Health Committees Enforcement of Act and Regulations
Supported by
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH REGULATIONS		The Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996 set minimum requirements for specific hazards and work practices, including reference to National Standards developed by the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission and Australian Standards developed by Standards Australia.
GUIDANCE MATERIAL		Codes of practice approved for Western Australia in accordance with Section 57 of the Act. Guidance notes developed by the WorkSafe Western Australia Commission. National Codes of Practice and National Standards developed by the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission. Australian Standards developed by Standards Australia.
LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA C/O WORKSAFE WA

In part the OSH Act duty of care requirements are as follows:

5.1	Duties of employers
	An employer shall, so far as practicable, provide and maintain a working environment in which his/her employees are not exposed to hazards.
5.2	Duties of employees
	An employee shall take reasonable care to ensure his own safety and health at work and to avoid adversely affecting the safety and health of any other person through any act or omission at work.
5.3	Duties of employers and self-employed persons
	An employer or a self-employed person shall take reasonable care to ensure his/her own safety and health at work and so far as practicable, ensure that the safety or health of a person not being his/her employee is not adversely affected wholly or in part as a result of the work in which he/she or any of his/her employees is engaged.
5.4	Duties of persons who have control of workplaces
	A person who has, to any extent, control of a workplace where persons who are not employees of that person, work or are likely to be in the course of their work the means of access to and egress from a workplace, shall take such measures as are practicable to ensure that the workplace, or the means of access to or egress from the workplace, as the case may be, are such that persons who are at the workplace or use the means of access to and egress from the workplace are not exposed to hazards.

The OSH Regulations (reg 3.1) requires a person who, at a workplace, is an employer, the main contractor, a self-employed person, a person having control of the workplace or a person having control of access to the workplace must, as far as practicable:

Step 1:	identify each hazard to which a person at the workplace is likely to be exposed.
Step 2:	assess the risk of injury or harm to a person resulting from each hazard, if any, identified under paragraph (1); and
Step 3:	consider the means by which the risk may be reduced.

SEE: THE THREE STEP APPROACH TO SAFETY AT WORK. A GUIDE TO HAZARD ASSESSMENT.

7.1	Employers and employees must observe all provisions of applicable Federal, State and Local government laws for persons engaged in the occupations covered by this Code.
7.2	Safety equipment and devices must conform with appropriate Australian Standards in addition to other standards referred to in this Code and must be maintained in safe condition.
7.3	Employers must provide information, instruction and training to, and supervision of their employees in the proper use of all equipment provided for them and must ensure that safe working practices be followed.
7.4	All equipment including ropes and line, uopn which the worker must rely for his/her safety, must be inspected by the worker each day before use. The employer is also required to inspect and maintain all equipment on a regular basis.
7.5	Ropes, harnesses, climbing spikes and all associated climbing equipment must at all times be stored separate to chemicals feul, chainsaws, other cutting tools and equipment.
7.6	Chainsaws must conform to the applicable provisions of AS 2726. Part 1 and Part 2.
7.7	Use and operation of chainsaws must be in accordance with the applicable provisions of AS 2727.
7.8	Respiratory protection must be provided where there is reasonable probability of injury or illness that can be prevented by such protection. It must conform to the applicable provisions of AS 1716.

8.1	Personal protective equipment (as outlined in section 8) must be provided at no expense to employees, where there is a reasonable probability of injury or illness that can be prevented by such protection. Employees must use such protection.
8.2	Head protection must be worn by ground staff engaged in tree operations. It must conform to the applicable provisions of AS 1801.
8.3	Eye protection must be worn by workers engaged in tree operations and must conform to the applicable provisions of AS 1337.
8.4	Hearing protection must be worn at all times when exposed to tree cutting and machinery operations and must conform to the applicable provisions of AS 1270.
8.5	Climbers and chainsaw operators should wear cotton or natural fibre clothing in preference to synthetics. Clothing and footwear must be appropriate to the work location and conditions.
8.6	High visibility clothing should be worn were such clothing may prevent injury i.e. red vests for workers encroaching onto a road.
8.7	Steel toe capped footwear must be worn by all workers engaged in tree operations. They must conform to the applicable provisions of AS 2210.

9.1	A climber must use either: a sit harness with leg straps or loops. full body harness. Harnesses used for climbing operations must have forged support rings and must conform to the applicable provisions of AS 1891 and AS 2626.
9.2	Carabiners used in conjunction with climbing ropes or strops must be self closing and lockable by twist gate.
9.3	Pole belts must have a steel core and must be maintained in good working order
9.4	Snaphooks without a double locking device or action must not be used.
9.5	To prevent the climber being pulled to the ground in the event that timber should fall onto his/her tools and drag them downwards, either the tool strop or the D ring on the harness used for the attachment of tools, may be sufficiently weak to snap under sudden pressure.
9.6	Climbing ropes must have the following characteristics: Minimum diameter of 11mm. 3 strand, plaited or braided construction. A minimum breaking strength at least 10 times greater than the Safe Working Load (i.e. SWL being the weight of climber and equipment). Adequate friction resistance. Adequate heat resistance.
9.7	Lengths of climbing ropes vary, but must be of sufficient length to reach the ground when both eyes in the tails of the rope are attached to the climber.
9.8	Climbing ropes must not be used to lower limbs or other parts of trees, or raise or lower equipment.
9.9	Climbing ropes must not be spliced to effect repair.

10.1	GENERAL 10.1.1        Plant includes such items as cranes, elevating work platforms, forklift trucks, ladders, hand held tools, electrical tools and appliances. Persons using plant at the workplace must be provided with information and be trained and supervised so that they can work safely. The regulations require certain items of plant to be manufactured in accordance with a registered design and some individual items of plant have to be registered. 10.1.2        Part 4, Plant, of the OSH Reg 1996 clearly describe matters such as operator and passenger safety through to use of cranes and other lifting equipment, must be adhered to. 10.1.3        Certain items of plant such as EWP’s with a boom height greater than 11m, must be operated by persons holding a current certificate of competency issued by WorkSafe Western Australia in accordance with the National Occupational Health and Safety Certification Standard for Users and Operators of Industrial Equipment {NOHSC: 1006 (1995)}. Other items must be operated by persons trained in accordance with other standards or guidelines e.g. National Guidelines for Occupational Health and Safety Competency Standards for the Operation of Loadshifting Equipment and Other Types of Specified Equipment {NOHSC: 7019 (1992)} and AS 2359.2 Powered industrial trucks – Operation.
10.2	The design and/or systems of work must prevent user contact with nip points ie.stump grinders and wood chippers, must be adequately shielded so as to minimise exposure to operators from hazards such as burst hydraulic hoses and cutter wheels.
10.3	All safety features must be operational and accessible to the user in order to facilitate emergency shutdowns of such equipment should the need arise.
10.4	Plant operated in the vicinity of powerlines must be earthed where practicable. Refer to COP for Personnel Electrical Safety for Vegetation Control Work near Live Powerlines.

11.1	All overhead and underground electrical conductors and all communications wires and cables must be considered to be energised with potentially fatal voltages and must never be touched either directly or indirectly.
11.2	All work near powerlines must comply with the Code of Practice for Personnel Electrical Safety for Vegetation Control Work Near Live Powerlines. Contact the EnergySafety Division (Tel: 9422 5200) for details.
11.3	Persons working in proximity to power lines must be trained as per the Code referred to in 11.2. For more information on training contact the Tree Guild of WA Inc ph 9351 5804.

Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 3.3 (a) requires that employees who because of the time, location or nature of their work are isolated from other persons must be provided with an effective means of summoning help in case of emergency.

15.1	A First Aid Kit adequately stocked and maintained with supplies appropriate to the types of injuries likely to occur must be provided by the employer when and where work is being carried out. See the WA Code of Practice on First Aid, Workplace Amenities and Personal Protective Equipment for further information.
15.2	At least one (1) person on site must, as far as practicable, have a current first aid certificate to a level agreed in consultation between the employer and employees as described in the WA code of Practice on First Aid, Workplace Amenities and Personal protective Equipment. Arrangements should be in place to cover absences on leave.
15.3	15.3 If poisonous plants are present in the workplace, all persons should be instructed as to their location, preventative measures and treatment relating to said plants. For further information refer to Agriculture WA ph 9368 3333 or Poisons Information Centre 13 11 26.

16.1	CLIMBING/WORK POSITIONING SYSTEMS 16.1.1        When working at any point in a tree above ground level: A tree climber must be attached to the tree at all times, with an approved safety harness, climbing rope and/or pole belt. A ground worker must be in attendance at all times. 16.1.2        The climbing rope should only be passed around healthy, sound, suitably strong anchor points and the final anchor point should be as high above the ground as possible using a fork with a wide angle to prevent any binding of the climbing rope. Exception: Palms and other trees with similar growth characteristics that will not allow a climbing rope to move freely. 16.1.3        The final anchor point selected for tying into and working from should be directly above the work area, or as close to such a position as possible, but located in such a way that a slip or fall would swing the worker away from any electrical conductor or other potential hazard. 16.1.4        The climbing rope should also be passed around the main leader or an upright branch using the limb as a stop. Feet, hand, and ropes should be kept out of tight, V-shaped forks. 16.1.5        Where ever possible, avoid using epicormic water shoots as anchor points. 16.1.6        A figure of eight knot or eye splice must be tied in the end of the climbing rope. This will prevent the rope accidentally running through the prusik knot and causing possible serious injury from a fall. 16.1.7        The practice of two or more climbers working in the same tree at the same time should be avoided.
16.2	LADDERS 16.2.1        Ladders must conform to the applicable provisions of AS 1892. 16.2.2        Ladders should not be used where an electrical hazard exists. 16.2.3        Ladders may be used to gain access into the tree. The practice of using a ladder as a work platform should be avoided (exception 16.2.5). 16.2.4        A climber must be attached to the tree before ascending higher than the top rung or stepping off the ladder. 16.2.5        Ladders may be used as a work platform (i.e. limited access for EWP, suspect structure, form of tree does not facilitate the safe use of conventional work positioning systems) subject to following conditions: Your hazard assessment determines that there is no other practicable method. Before any cutting operations commence the ladder must be tied in and the climber must be attached to the tree. For more information on Ladder handling see The Tree Guild of W.A. Inc. A Guide to Ladder Handling
16.3	ELEVATED WORK PLATFORMS 16.3.1        Workers operating EWP’s extending to a height exceeding 11m must hold a current certificate of competency issued by WorkSafe Western Australia. Refer to section 10 Plant. 16.3.2        Workers in the basket of an EWP must wear an approved full body harness (except a climber accessing a tree, section 16.3.3) and attached by retractable lanyard or lanyard plus shock absorber combination. 16.3.3        Climber Accessing Trees from EWP Basket. A hazard assessment may conclude this to be the safest method in the following situations: Site access prohibits the use of an EWP of sufficient size to perform all work from the basket. The from of the tree prohibits access to the part that requires work. i.e. dead wooding of the inner canopy or crown reductions. Where this method of access may prevent the onset of climber fatigue over long climbs.       The technique must only be performed by competent tree climbers. The following procedures must be applied: The climber must be attached to a suitable anchor point in the tree before leaving the basket. The climber should ascend out of the basket using controlled movements. The climber must not detach from the basket until his/her weight is supported by the climbing rope. An appropriate climbing harness as described in this Code (9.1) must be worn during this procedure.
16.4	RESCUE 16.4.1        General There are a multitude of methods and types of equipment used for rescue from heights. This code promotes the use of one simple method using standard climbing equipment for the following reasons: In an emergency personnel will be more confident and quicker to respond if methods and equipment are familiar. Specialised equipment is unlikely to be made available to all personnel working in the industry. Training with specialised equipment and alternative methods is not viable.       The method practiced must be safe, simple and expedient. 16.4.2        At least one ground worker must have knowledge of basic rescue skills using conventional climbing equipment. 16.4.3        A complete rescue climbing kit must be available to the ground workers in the event that a climber becomes injured or entangled in a tree and requires assistance. To include: Climbing harness and carabiners. Pole belt – adjustable. Climbing rope with prusik loop. Climbing spikes. Soft rope – 3m x 12mm with eye splice. Pressure bandage for blood loss. Pocket knife with lanyard. This kit must be retained for rescue purposes only. 16.4.4        Rescue technique, using the above equipment, must have been demonstrated to, and practiced by the ground worker in charge. 16.4.5        BEFORE RESCUE Should an accident involving powerlines occur, rescue may not be possible until the owner of the powerlines gives the all clear. Keep well clear of any vehicle that is in contact with a power line. An assessment of climbing risk must first be made by rescuer to determine whether he/she is capable of safely performing the rescue. If medical back up is going to be required, an ambulance must be called. Call for fire brigade or EWP if access is available to the tree by these means and if they would be able to assist in the rescue. For more information on Rescue methods see: A guide to Tree Rescue. The Arborlee method.
16.5	WORKING WITH TOOLS IN THE TREE 16.5.1        The climber and ground staff must ensure that risk is minimised to people and property from falling debris or equipment. 16.5.2        Equipment must be transferred to the climber by use of a separate tool line. Equipment should be attached so as not to cause damage to the rope. 16.5.3        Chainsaws must be checked, started and warmed up by the ground staff before being passed up to the climber. 16.5.4        Tree surgery requiring the use of a chainsaw must carried out only by a trained and competent climber who has experience in chainsaw use or by a supervised trainee who is competent at using a chainsaw on the ground. 16.5.5       Tool Strops The chainsaw must be attached to the climbing harness by means of a tool strop, unless there is a risk of the chainsaw being trapped and taken with a severed section. Must be of a length sufficient to ensure that the suspended chainsaw is below the climber’s feet. The chainsaw should be lowered smoothly to the end of the strop, not dropped. 16.5.6        An appropriate size chainsaw, with the correct guide bar length must be used in the tree by an operator who is physically able. 16.5.7        When using a chainsaw, care must be taken to avoid contact with the “Kick Back” zone against any object. Care must be taken to make appropriate and accurate cuts. 16.5.8        Crossed arms should be avoided during cutting operations. 16.5.9        The chainsaw must be switched off, or the chainbrake applied, after each cutting operation or when the chainsaw is allowed to hang from the tool strop. 16.5.10        A chainsaw or other equipment which malfunctions whilst in the tree must be passed to the ground staff for repairs, adjustments or replacement. 16.5.11        Reference must be made to the manufacturer’s recommendations for use of electric, hydraulic or pneumatic equipment.
16.6	PRUNING AND TRIMMING 16.6.1       Verbal warnings, when necessary, must be given by the climber before a limb is dropped. 16.6.2        Branch Ropes A separate branch rope must be attached to limbs that cannot be dropped safely or which are too heavy to be controlled by hand. A craning fork separate to the climber’s anchor point must be used when lowering limbs. Workers lowering limbs, topping, or blocking must ensure that the tree in question is able to withstand the strain of such a procedure. If not, other methods must be implemented. If substantial limbs are lowered in sections, the worker in the tree must, where possible, be above the limb being lowered. 16.6.3        Cut branches must not be left in trees for longer than necessary or when unattended. 16.6.4        A climbing rope must never be left in a tree overnight. A service rope may be set up for operations which last overnight (or longer) and may be used to raise the climbing rope back into position at the start of the next day’s work. Further reference should be made to AS4373-1996 Pruning of amenity trees.
16.7	FELLING 16.7.1        Before beginning any felling operation, the worker must carefully consider: Soundness of the tree. Surrounding objects that could interfere with the safe undertaking of the operation. Shape and weight distributions of the canopy. Lean of the tree. Wind force, direction, and consistency. Proximity of tree to nearby services (e.g. overhead powerlines). Nature of the terrain. Location of other persons. Presence of “hangers” in the canopy. Chainsaw is sharp, correctly tuned adequately filled with fuel and bar oil. 16.7.2        The work area must be cleared to permit safe working conditions, and an escape route must be planned before any cutting is started. 16.7.3        Suitable wedges must be available for use to prevent a tree falling in a direction other than that intended and/or, where necessary, to break the holding wood. 16.7.4        Each tree worker must be instructed as to exactly what he/she is to do. Any persons not directly involved in an operation must be kept clear of the work area to a distance of a least 1 ˝ times the height of the tree. 16.7.5        A scarf and backcut must be used in felling trees over 200mm diameter measured at breast height. Trees of this diameter and larger must not be felled by “Ripping” or “Slicing” cuts. 16.7.6        Sufficient “Holding Wood” must always be preserved. 16.7.7        Special precautions in cabling or roping a rotten, leaning or split tree must be considered if it is likely that it may fall in a direction other than the intended direction of fall. Special precautions must be taken not to over-tension such cables or ropes to the extent that excessive and potentially dangerous reactive pressures are built up within the tree. 16.7.8        The operator must move away from the tree, along the pre-pared escape route, as the tree begins to fall.
16.8	LIMBING AND SECTIONING 16.8.1       Whenever it is possible to do so, the tree worker must work on the side of the trunk opposite to that which the limb is being cut. 16.8.2       The tree worker should stand on the uphill side of the work whenever possible. 16.8.3        Timber under tension must be considered hazardous. 16.8.4        When necessary the tree worker must chock a log to prevent it’s rolling.
16.9	WOOD CHIPPING 16.9.1        Two competent operators must be in attendance when operating a wood chipper, and unless an emergency stop device is fitted, the second person must be able to operate the controls to stop the machine in the event of an emergency. 16.9.2        Wood chippers should be fed from the side of the centre line, and the operator must immediately turn away from the feed table when the brush is taken into the rotor or feed rollers. Chippers must be fed from the curbside whenever practical. 16.9.3       The chipper chute must not be raised or removed while the rotor or disc is turning. The chipper must not be used unless a discharge chute, which is of sufficient length or design to prevent contact with nip points, is in place. 16.9.4        Material other than timber, such as stones, nails, and sweepings must not be fed into chipper. 16.9.6        The feed chute or feed table of a chipper must have sufficient height on its side members to prevent operator contact with the blades or knives during any operation. 16.9.7        The chipper must not be left unattended whilst it is running.
16.10	STUMP GRINDERS Where the risk of prior chemical use to poison stumps has occurred, respiratory protection must be used.

17	ABREVIATIONS ABC: Arial Bundled Cable AS: Australian Standards EWP: Elevating Work Platform – also referred to as EPV, Bucket or Cherry Picker. HV: High Voltage LV: Low Voltage MRWA: Main Roads Western Australia OSH Act: Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 WP: Western Power

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AUSTRALIAN STANDARDS REFERRED TO IN THIS CODE AS 1270 Hearing Protection Devices AS 1337 Eye protectors for industrial Applications 1992 AS 1418:10 Elevating Work Platforms 1996 AS 1716 Respiratory Protective Devices 1994 AS 1801 Industrial Safety Helmets 1981 AS 1891 Industrial Safety Belts and Harnesses 1995 Part 1 AS 1892 Portable Ladders AS 2210 Safety Footwear 1994 Part 1 and Part 2 AS 2626 Industrial Safety Belts and Harnesses Selection, Use and Maintenance 1983. AS 2726 Chainsaws – Safety Requirements 1995 Part 1 and Part 2 AS 2727 Chainsaws – Guide to Safe Working Practices 1984 AS 4373 Pruning of Amenity Trees 1996

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DEFINITIONS Anchor Point: Any fork formed by the junction of two branches or Anchor Point: Any fork formed by the junction of two branches or a branch and the trunk, which can be used safely by a climber as a fulcrum point for his/her climbing rope. Backcut: The final release cut made on the opposite side of the trunk to the scarf in a felling operation. Blocking: The dismantling of the trunk of a tree by the gradual removal of manageable sections, subsequent to the removal of the canopy. Branch Rope: A rope used by the climber for lowering heavy branches or other parts of the tree. May also be used as a tool line. Carabiner: Metal, self-closing, lockable device to which ropes can be securely attached. Climbing Rope: Rope by which a climber attaches him/herself to a tree. Climbing Spikes: A pair of climbing aids which attach to the climber’s lower legs and which are comprised of gaffs or spikes, calf and foot supports, straps and pads. Code: Means this Code of Practice. Craning Fork: Any fork formed by the junction of two branches or a branch and a trunk which can be used safely as a load bearing fulcrum point for a branch rope. Felling: The falling of an entire tree, in one operation, performed from ground level. Ground Staff: Workers on the ground who are assigned to assist the climber and perform duties other than those undertaken by the climber. Hanger: Abscissed or severed branches, which remain lodged in the canopy. Holding Wood (Hinge): Section of timber left uncut between the scarf and backcut. Ideally, should be one tenth of the truck diameter. Kickback Zone: The upper quadrant of the guide bar nose. Limbing: Removal of limbs from a fallen tree. May: As used in this code, denotes an advisory recommendation. Must: As used in this Code, denotes a mandatory requirement. Pole Belt: A climbing aid usually used in conjunction with spikes to climb a tree. Must have a steel core. Prusik Loop: A climbing aid made of rope and used to attach the climber from the harness to the climbing rope. Scarf: Two cuts made to form a notch which determines the direction of fall when felling or topping, or direction of break when removing a branch. When felling or topping, these two cuts should, ideally, form an angle of 45* between the cuts. Sectioning: Sawing a felled trunk or limbs into smaller sections. Should: As used in this Code, denotes an advisory recommendation. Tool Line:  A separate rope used by the climber to raise or lower equipment. May double as a branch rope. Tool Strap: Rope or webbing tape, which attach the climber’s tools to his/her harness. Topping: The removal of the upper canopy of a tree performed in one operation by means of felling whilst aloft in the tree and prepatory to performing a blocking operation.