Tree Felling and Removal Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) Template
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This Tree Felling and Removal Safe Work Method Statement, or Tree Felling and Removal SWMS, is an easy-to-use form that your workers can use to plan and manage tree felling, cutting, and removal risks before arborist or vegetation clearing work begins. Easily select the scope of work, possible hazards, and required PPE from a list of choices, then work through a ready-to-use list of job steps, risk assessments, and method statements for common tree felling and removal activities.
Need a complete digital tree felling and removal SWMS you can fill out and make your own? It comes pre-filled with tree felling and removal job steps, risk assessments, and method statements you can edit to match how your company works, and your crew can scan to sign on before starting and export the finished SWMS to PDF or CSV.
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What is Tree Felling and Removal Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)?
A Tree Felling and Removal Safe Work Method Statement, or Tree Felling and Removal SWMS, is a document used by site teams, supervisors, arborists, landscapers, and contractors to plan how tree removal work will be carried out safely. This SWMS usually includes details on the work area, tree condition, cutting method, plant and equipment, chainsaws, falling zones, traffic or pedestrian controls, PPE, job steps, hazards, risk ratings, and control measures.
Due to the risks that come with tree felling and removal work, hazards such as falling branches, uncontrolled tree movement, chainsaw injuries, working at height, unstable ground, overhead services, moving plant, and interaction with nearby workers or the public have to be planned around to lessen potential accidents. This makes Tree Felling and Removal SWMS documents highly relevant in Australian arboriculture, landscaping, civil works, utilities, construction, council works, and land clearing projects where trees, branches, stumps, or vegetation are cut, removed, or cleared.
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Applicable Standards and Policies for Tree Felling and Removal Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
There are generally no explicit formatting requirements for a Tree Felling and Removal Safe Work Method Statement. However, Australian WHS laws require PCBUs to prepare a SWMS for high-risk construction work where applicable, and to document hazards, risks, and control measures involved in tree felling, chainsaw use, falling branches, mobile plant, traffic control, and work near people or property. A Tree Felling and Removal SWMS is a good document to support compliance to this.
- Model WHS Regulations require a SWMS for high-risk construction work in Australia
- Safe Work Australia guidance covers plant, equipment, manual handling, and falling object risks
- Safe Work Australia guidance covers chainsaw, cutting, and tree work hazards
- State and territory WHS laws commonly require risk controls for tree felling and removal work
- Local council, site, and principal contractor requirements commonly require permits or SWMS documents for tree removal activities
Staff Members and Parties that use Tree Felling and Removal Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
A Tree Felling and Removal SWMS is primarily used by project teams that manage tree cutting, felling, pruning, stump removal, vegetation clearing, chainsaw work, or work near roads, buildings, services, and public areas. Here are examples of other common parties that use a Tree Felling and Removal SWMS:
- Site supervisors and project managers
- Arborists and tree workers
- Chainsaw operators
- Spotters and traffic controllers
- Contractors and subcontractors carrying out tree removal work
Business Risks Reduced by Tree Felling and Removal Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
A Tree Felling and Removal SWMS puts controls in place for the hazards behind most tree work incidents, such as falling branches, struck-by incidents, chainsaw injuries, plant interaction, overhead services, unstable trees, traffic exposure, and public access risks. Applied consistently, it reduces the following business risks.
- Injuries, fatalities, and tree work-related incidents
- Non-compliance with Australian SWMS and vegetation management safety requirements
- Legal claims, enforcement action, and incident-related costs
- Project delays from injuries, property damage, service strikes, and site shutdowns
Business Opportunities Created by Tree Felling and Removal Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
A well-prepared Tree Felling and Removal SWMS helps businesses improve control over tree work, chainsaw use, public interface risks, and work near property or services. Here are some ways a well-designed Tree Felling and Removal SWMS can help businesses:
- Improve worker confidence before tree felling or removal work begins
- Strengthen contractor prequalification and tender-offer competitiveness
- Improve coordination between supervisors, arborists, chainsaw operators, and traffic controllers
- Build trust with clients, regulators, insurers, and project stakeholders
What Should be Included in a Tree Felling and Removal SWMS?
A Tree Felling and Removal SWMS should be prepared before tree felling and removal work is carried out as part of high risk construction work or on sites with higher-risk conditions. While exact requirements can vary across Australian states, territories, projects, and principal contractor requirements, there are some core elements that are typically included that you should know about:
- Scope of work, site location, tree details, work area, and responsible persons
- Job steps for site inspection, exclusion zones, cutting, felling, climbing or EWP access, limb removal, chipping, loading, clean-up, and waste disposal
- Hazards such as falling trees, falling branches, chainsaw injuries, working at height, overhead power lines, traffic, unstable ground, and public interaction
- Required controls such as exclusion zones, spotters, traffic management, PPE, equipment checks, power line clearance, communication methods, and emergency rescue arrangements
- Risk ratings, emergency procedures, worker consultation, sign-off, and review requirements
Why are Tree Felling and Removal SWMS Important?
Tree Felling and Removal SWMS are important because tree work can expose workers and nearby people to serious risks from falling trees, falling branches, chainsaws, mobile plant, traffic, and overhead services. This is critically important on construction, civil, landscaping, council, and maintenance projects where tree removal may happen near roads, buildings, fences, power lines, pedestrians, or other work crews.
Essentially, a Tree Felling and Removal SWMS helps confirm that the work steps, tree condition, drop zone, equipment, and safety controls have been reviewed before cutting begins. Additionally, it gives project management teams clear documentation of the due diligence performed, supporting consultation, site coordination, and compliance with Australian WHS requirements where the work forms part of construction or higher-risk site activity.
How to Create a Tree Felling and Removal Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
Building effective Tree Felling and Removal SWMS forms requires the right structure and information. In this section, we explain how to create your own SWMS forms from scratch.
Before starting your Tree Felling and Removal Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) form, the following pre-requisites should be ready.
- Project or site details are required.
- Tree felling and removal scope must be listed.
- High-risk construction work details must be covered.
- Hazards, risks, and control measures must be stated.
- Chainsaw, plant, and equipment checks must be included.
- Drop zones, traffic, overhead, and PPE controls must be noted.
- Worker sign-off and SWMS review requirements must be recorded.
Start with Project and SWMS Information
First, you need to place high-level general information at the beginning of your Tree Felling and Removal Safe Work Method Statement to help establish context for the work to be done. Here are some examples of core elements that you can use:
- Project name and site location
- SWMS title and document reference number
- Description of tree felling and removal works to be completed
- Name of the PCBU, contractor, or subcontractor
- Names and roles of workers, supervisors, arborists, and plant operators
Define the Scope of Tree Felling and Removal Works
Next, you will want to define the scope of work so it is clear what tree felling and removal activities are covered by the SWMS. For example, you will want to list the following information in your Tree Felling and Removal SWMS:
- Tree location, size, condition, and surrounding work area
- Felling, cutting, trimming, chipping, stump removal, and clean-up activities
- Tools, chainsaws, rigging gear, chippers, EWPs, or mobile plant required for the task
- Access routes, drop zones, exclusion zones, and public access controls
- Nearby structures, roads, services, fences, or other assets that may be affected
Assess Tree Felling and Removal Hazards
It is important that potential hazards are identified before tree felling and removal work starts so the appropriate safety control measures can be implemented. Common hazards that you should look out for include:
- Falling trees, branches, tools, or other materials
- Unstable, dead, storm-damaged, or leaning trees
- Chainsaw cuts, kickback, noise, vibration, or flying debris
- Contact with overhead power lines, nearby structures, or mobile plant
- Slopes, uneven ground, poor visibility, wind, rain, or changing site conditions
Record Safety Control Measures and Work Method
After the hazards are identified, you will want to determine the appropriate safety control measures to reduce risks for your workers and nearby site personnel. Be sure to document the following information in your SWMS:
- Tree inspection, felling direction, escape route, and drop zone requirements
- Chainsaw checks, operator competency, and safe cutting methods
- Exclusion zones, spotters, traffic controls, and public access controls
- Use of ropes, rigging, EWPs, chippers, or mobile plant, where required
- Work sequence for set-up, cutting, felling, section removal, chipping, clean-up, and site handover
Complete Review, Approval, and Worker Sign-Off
Complete your Tree Felling and Removal SWMS with review, approval, and worker sign-off to confirm that the work method and safety control measures have been communicated before work starts. Here are some examples of fields you can include:
- Names and roles of reviewers and approvers
- Date of review and approval
- Worker confirmation that the SWMS has been read and understood
- Supervisor or person in charge sign-off
- Revision number and next review trigger
Frequently asked questions
How to create SWMS Process in an App or Software System
A well-designed SWMS process ensures workers clearly understand the hazards, risks, and required control measures to perform high-risk work, while enabling your team to easily document, review, and share safe work procedures before work begins.
40 minutes
Medium difficulty
Start your Tree Felling and Removal SWMS with General Information
It is important to begin your Tree Felling and Removal Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) with key project, site, date, reference, and location details so the document can be traced to the correct tree felling and removal activity. This section should use simple text and date fields for fields such as:
- Text field or Automatic Form Counter for SWMS Reference Number
- Date selector field for Date
- Text fields for Project Name and Address
- Text field or Automatic Single Day Weather capture
- Multi-line text field for Description of Work
Create a Section for Scope of Work, Hazards, and PPE
Next, create a section where users can select the project scope, possible hazards, and required PPE for the tree felling and removal works. For simplicity, we recommend using multiple-choice selector fields for this section, with fields such as:
- Multiple-choice selector field for Project Scope
- Multiple-choice selector field for Possible Hazards
- Multiple-choice selector field for PPE Required, including Ear Protection and Safety Harness
- Conditional text field for other hazards or PPE not listed in the pre-filled choices
Create a Table for Material and Equipment Information
Users will next need to list down the petrol chainsaw, arborist climbing and rigging equipment, wood chipper, and other equipment required for the task. We highly recommend using a table for this section so each item can be recorded with its make, asset details, and required training information.
- First column for Material or Equipment Name
- Second column for Make or Model
- Third column for Registration or Asset ID, if any
- Fourth column for Required License or Training, if any
Create a Table for the Method Statement and Risk Assessment
Next, create the main SWMS table where users can record each tree felling and removal job step, hazards, risk scores, controls, and responsible persons. We highly recommend using a table for this section, with the following formatting for the columns:
- First column for Job Step
- Second column for Potential Hazards
- Third column for Initial Risk Score
- Fourth column for Controls
- Fifth column for Residual Risk Score
- Sixth column for Person Responsible
Add Pre-filled Method Statement Rows for Tree Felling and Removal Work
After the main table is created, add pre-filled rows that reflect the most common tree felling and removal job steps in the attached SWMS. These rows help users complete the form faster while still allowing the SWMS to be adjusted for the actual site task.
- Row for Pre-start planning, site assessment and equipment inspection
- Row for Felling trees from ground level
- Row for Sectional dismantling, climbing and lowering tree sections
- Row for Processing, chipping, loading and removing tree debris
Create a Section for Additional High-Risk or Site-Specific Steps
Some tree felling and removal tasks may require extra job steps depending on live traffic, nearby pedestrians, public access, falling limbs, exclusion zones, overhead services, or how tree sections are lowered and removed. We highly recommend creating an additional method statement table so users can add extra risk assessment rows when needed.
- Columns for Job Step, Potential Hazards, Likelihood, Consequence, Initial Risk Score, Controls, Residual Risk Score, and Person Responsible
- Dropdown fields for Likelihood and Consequence scores
- Risk Score = Likelihood Rating x Consequence Rating
Create a Section for Risk Matrix Guidance
Next, add a risk matrix section as a guide for users to assess initial and residual risk scores for any additional job steps they may add. We highly recommend using the following fields and features to help guide users:
- Pre-filled or photo of the Risk Matrix table showing Likelihood, Consequence, and Risk Score levels
- Pre-filled text field for Consequence ratings from 1 to 5
- Pre-filled text field for Likelihood ratings from 1 to 5
- Pre-filled guide for residual risk actions, including Low, Moderate, High, and Catastrophic risk outcome
End your Tree Felling and Removal SWMS with Worker and Supervisor Sign-offs
Finally, complete the Tree Felling and Removal Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) with worker confirmation and sign-off fields for the responsible parties. If your app or software allows, use scan-to-sign and automatic e-signature fields to keep the sign-off process digital.
- A scan to sign-on table for workers sign-off
- E-signature field for Supervisor Sign-off
- E-signature field for Project Manager Sign-off
- Automatic date and time stamp fields for each sign-off
About the author
Ron Gadugdug
Engineering Content Writer
Education:
Cebu Institute of Technology - University - Civil Engineering
Bio:
Ron is a Civil Engineer with 6 years of experience in the construction industry, primarily focused on quantity surveying, cost estimation, project management, quality control, contract administration, and property & engineering insurance. At Sitemate, he writes about practical applications of evolving technologies and digital solutions that support construction professionals in improving efficiency, compliance, and project delivery across the built world.
Project Details:
Quantity Surveying & Cost Engineering
Performed quantity take-offs of several high-rise and horizontal structures using sheets and applications like Revit and Bluebeam Revu, and spearheaded trials with Building Information Modeling (BIM) software.
Project Management & Consultancy
Coordinated with project management teams during the construction of local projects such as a 4-tower hotel & resort, a 22 storey condominium project, and a school dormitory project.
Contract Administration
Assisted during contract biddings and negotiations with general contractors and sub-contractors, and oversaw progress reporting, billings, and payment.
Property & Engineering Insurance
Dedicated non-life claims handler, overseeing property and contractor all-risk insurance claims, risk management, and bonds.
Version History:
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