Tree Climbing SWMS
Rope-access canopy climbing for pruning, inspection, and removal. Covers harness inspection, anchor selection, aerial rescue procedures, and chainsaw-in-tree protocols.
SWMS variants reference your state’s WHS legislation. Instant download after payment.
Rope-access canopy climbing for pruning, inspection and removal work, including harness checks, anchor selection, aerial rescue and chainsaw-in-tree operations. Climbers routinely work above 2m, triggering High Risk Construction Work under WHS Regulation 2025 Part 4.4, requiring a documented SWMS before work commences.
Hazards identified
3 hazards covered, sorted by priority.
Fatal impact or severe spinal injury
Severe lacerations, rope severance, secondary fall
Uncontrolled fall and crush injury
Control measures
Hierarchy-of-controls order: elimination → substitution → isolation → engineering → administrative → PPE.
- 1Use dual-rope climbing system with independent anchors rated minimum 15kN; inspect harness pre-shift.
- 2Operate chainsaw on dedicated lanyard with leg loop isolation; never cut across climbing line.
- 3Document aerial rescue plan and ground-based rescue climber on standby for every climb.
- 4
Applicable Codes of Practice
Mandatory fall control hierarchy for work above 2m
Industry benchmark for arborist climbing systems
High-Risk Construction Work triggered
Canopy climbing routinely exceeds 2m, with climbers working at heights up to 30m+.
SWMS mandatory before work starts; PCBU fines up to $30,000.
What you receive
- ✓Editable DOCX SWMS template tailored to tree climbing operations
- ✓State-specific WHS legislation schedule (NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, ACT, NT)
- ✓Hazard register with risk ratings and control hierarchy
- ✓Worker sign-on register for SWMS consultation evidence
Related legislation
- WHS Act 2011 s19 — Primary duty of care
- WHS Regulation 2025 Part 4.4 — Falls
- WHS Regulation 2025 r299 — SWMS for HRCW