Site Clearing — Safe Work Method Statement
Safe Work Method Statement for vegetation removal, tree felling, stump grinding, and topsoil stripping operations to prepare a construction site for earthworks and building activities.
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Site clearing — encompassing vegetation removal, tree felling, stump grinding, and topsoil stripping — is typically the first construction activity on a greenfield or brownfield development site. Where tree felling involves trees large enough to pose a falling hazard to workers, or where clearing involves mobile plant working in proximity to people, a SWMS is required on a construction site. The Safe Work Australia Model Code of Practice: Construction Work sets out the general obligations.
Arboricultural work — tree felling, lopping, and removal — is a high-risk activity with a significant fatality and serious injury rate in Australia. Workers performing tree felling using chainsaws must be trained to at least the unit AHCPMG307 (Fell trees manually) or equivalent, and chainsaw operators must hold a current chainsaw competency certificate in jurisdictions that require it. Tree felling near structures, power lines, or occupied areas requires careful planning of the fall zone and the establishment of a clear exclusion zone of at least two times the height of the tree being felled. Overhead power line proximity is the most critical hazard — Energex, AusNet, and other distribution networks require a minimum clearance from power lines for all work, and specific safe approach distances under AS/NZS 4836 must be observed.
Mobile plant — including bulldozers, scrapers, excavators, and mulchers — operating during site clearing must be managed to prevent struck-by incidents. A spotter must be designated when plant is operating in areas where other workers are present. All personnel not directly involved in plant operation must be excluded from the working area. Plant operators must have clear visibility of the entire working area or have a dedicated spotter communicating by radio.
Environmental and planning approvals are a critical prerequisite for site clearing in Australia. Vegetation removal may require approval under state biodiversity or tree protection legislation, and councils may impose tree preservation orders. Failure to obtain approvals before clearing can result in significant penalties.
Customise this template with the tree species and sizes to be removed, the exclusion zone dimensions, the chainsaw operator qualifications, and the environmental planning approvals obtained. This SWMS applies across all Australian states and territories.
Personal Protective Equipment
High Risk Construction Work Types
- •Use of powered mobile plant
- •Tree felling near structures or roads
- •Work near live overhead power lines
Risk Assessment
1.Pre-clearing site assessment
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unidentified overhead powerlines in clearing zone | Catastrophic | Before any plant or equipment enters the site, identify all overhead powerlines on and adjacent to the site. Contact the relevant electricity distributor (e.g. Ausgrid, Western Power, Powercor) to obtain a Safety Observer or arrange line isolation if any tree or clearing plant will operate within 3 m of an overhead powerline under the Safe Approach Distances specified in the relevant state electrical safety legislation. Mark powerline locations and exclusion zones on the site plan. Install high-visibility goal post markers on access routes beneath powerlines showing maximum safe travel height. | Low | Site Supervisor / Electrical Authority |
| Presence of asbestos-containing materials in vegetation or fill | High | Obtain historical site records and environmental site assessment prior to clearing. Inspect for dumped materials, old fencing (fibro/asbestos cement), building remnants, or bonded AC sheets in vegetation. Where ACM is identified or suspected, engage a licensed asbestos assessor before clearing commences. All ACM must be removed by a licensed asbestos removalist before plant operations begin. Provide workers with information on ACM identification and immediate reporting procedure. | Low | Environmental Officer / Site Supervisor |
2.Manual tree felling with chainsaw
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uncontrolled tree fall injuring workers | Catastrophic | Only chainsaw operators with an appropriate qualification (e.g. AHC30816 Certificate III in Arboriculture or equivalent) and current first aid certificate may conduct manual tree felling. Establish a fall zone of minimum 2 × tree height cleared of all workers. Position a single spotter to observe and communicate. Use a planned notch-and-back-cut felling method with a defined hinge to control fall direction. Attach tag lines or pull ropes to tree before felling to assist direction control. Brief all workers on emergency signal (3 horn blasts) before commencing. No worker within fall zone during cut. | Moderate | Qualified Arborist / Site Supervisor |
| Chainsaw kickback injury | High | Chainsaw must be fitted with a functioning kickback guard and chain brake, tested before each use. Operator must wear full chainsaw PPE: Class 1 helmet, face visor, Kevlar-reinforced chaps (to AS/NZS 4453.3), chainsaw-resistant gloves, and Class 5 hearing protection. Maintain two-hand grip at all times during cutting. Do not use tip of bar for cutting. Replace chain when wear exceeds 30% or after impact with metal objects. Operator must hold valid first aid certificate and chainsaw competency. No work alone — a second worker within shouting distance at all times. | Low | Chainsaw Operator |
3.Mechanical clearing with bulldozer or excavator
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Workers struck by plant or falling debris | Catastrophic | Establish a machine exclusion zone of minimum 20 m in all directions from mechanical clearing operations. No workers on foot within this zone while plant is operating. Install rollover protection system (ROPS) and falling object protection system (FOPS) on all clearing plant. Operator cabin must have full glazing and overhead protection. Use a spotter for any machine reversal or when operating near site boundaries. Conduct daily pre-start plant inspection and record findings on pre-start checklist. | Low | Plant Operator / Site Supervisor |
| Tree root system causing machine to become unstable | High | Walk the clearing area before commencing plant operations to identify large tree stumps, buried root systems, and soft ground. Flag all major hazards. Approach large trees and root systems at reduced speed using correct push or grub technique as recommended by machine manufacturer. If ground suddenly becomes unstable, operator to immediately stop forward movement and assess stability before proceeding. Do not attempt to push over trees with trunk diameter greater than manufacturer-rated capacity. | Moderate | Plant Operator |
4.Stump grinding
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Projectile from stump grinder striking workers | High | Establish a minimum 15 m exclusion zone around stump grinder operation in all directions of potential projectile trajectory. Install rubber deflector curtains on grinder discharge side. Operator must wear face shield in addition to safety glasses and hearing protection. Remove all personnel from exclusion zone before commencing. Probe or use metal detector to check stump for embedded nails, wire, or metal before grinding. Reduce operating speed on first pass to check for buried metal objects. | Low | Stump Grinder Operator |
5.Topsoil stripping and stockpiling
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dust generation affecting workers and neighbouring properties | Moderate | Monitor wind speed before commencing topsoil stripping — do not strip in winds exceeding 30 km/h without active dust suppression. Apply water cart to stripped areas every 30–60 minutes during dry conditions to maintain surface moisture. Cover topsoil stockpiles with geotextile erosion control fabric or hydromulch if stockpile will remain for more than 2 days. Workers in dusty conditions to wear P2 respirators. Notify neighbouring properties of clearing works in advance. Comply with relevant council dust management requirements. | Low | Site Supervisor / Plant Operator |
Relevant Codes of Practice
Worker Acknowledgement
By signing below, I confirm that I have read, understood and agree to comply with this Safe Work Method Statement.