Tree Felling & Sectioning Risk Assessment Template

Typical hazards & measures

• Safeguarding and site security — Control access with barriers and signage; brief client to keep people and pets indoors; secure gates; appoint site marshal at peak times; never leave saws or keys unattended; verify fitness and competence; maintain a visitors' sign-in and escort policy.
• Hung-up trees and entanglement — Treat lodged stems as high risk; cordon area and appoint competent lead; use mechanical winch or pull line from distance; never work below the hang; do not climb the hung tree; re assess before further cuts; brief no go lines and swing radius; wait out winds.
• Overhead power lines — Contact the network operator prior to work; mark safe approach distances; erect goalposts and barriers for plant; avoid felling toward lines; maintain agreed clearances; appoint a spotter; do not enter exclusion zones unless isolation and authorization are in place.
• Manual handling of timber — Assess size and weight; split sections where practicable; use mechanical aids, tongs and team lifts; keep loads close and backs straight; avoid twisting; pre plan safe stacking and rolling zones; maintain gloves; never lift above comfortable height; rotate tasks to limit fatigue.
• Barber-chair in vertical stems — Assess for tension, decay and species prone to splitting; use wide open face and sufficient hinge; avoid forcing cuts; employ bore cut technique correctly; pre tension with winch where needed; monitor signs of lift and stop to re plan; keep all staff out of arc.