Working at Height Planning and Decisions Making
This document is designed to assist managers and estimators of tree work in deciding the most appropriate method for working at height. Use this document in
combination with the Industry Code of Practice for Arboriculture - Tree Work at Height.
Section 2.5 of the Industry Code of Practice for Arboriculture - Tree Work at Height discusses Arboricultural Work at Height as follows:
2.5.1 General principles for arboriculture
Careful and detailed consideration must be given to the need to work at height. Where reasonably practicable work at height should be avoided, and where it cannot be
avoided justifiable evidence should be available to support that decision.
An individual’s or organisation’s past working methods should not automatically set precedents for future practice. Therefore, the organisation (or individual) must ensure
that their general management approach to work at height is based upon objective decisions which are documented, and that specific arrangements (i.e. risk assessments
for work at height) are in place for assessing and managing the risks on each and every occasion, across the broad range of work sites likely to be encountered.
The fundamental principles or risk hierarchy for tree work at height are:
Tree work at height – risk hierarchy
Implementation and working through a hierarchy requires a step wise approach as detailed:
Working at Height (Tree Work) – Planning Hierarchy in Practice:
Ground
Platform
Rope
Review
Work from ground level to AVOID the need
for working at height
PREVENT a fall from occurring whilst
working at height
MINIMISE the chance of a fall from
occurring whilst working at height
Review OTHER equipment and methods for
work at height
Working from Ladders
For tasks of low risk and short duration, ladders
and stepladders can be a sensible and practical
option.
If your risk assessment determines it is correct to
use a ladder, you should further MINIMISE the
risk by making sure workers:
■ use the right type of ladder for the job
■ are competent (you can provide
adequate training and/or supervision to help)
■ use the equipment provided safely and follow a
safe system of work
■ are fully aware of the risks and measures to help
control them
Photos curiosity of Simon Cox, Reg Harris, Martin Lennon & Lift Ltd Mini Cranes (www.liftminicranehire.co.uk). Special thanks to Tony Lane & Chris Cooper-Abbs for the planning and decision making flowcharts.
Tree Work at Height Planning & Decision Making Flowchart
Ground
ALWAYS consider weather conditions and whether worker safety is compromised as a result.
Platform
Rope
Work from ground level to AVOID the need
for working at height
Is ALL work to be completed from ground level?
 YES – Now consider operator
competence and emergency
requirements.
 NO. If not then…..
Try to complete as much work as possible from
ground level as possible. Document here what
you can achieve from ground level:
………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………….
If you can’t complete the work from ground
level, why not?
 Need to prune at crown extremities
 Crown parts not reachable by pole
pruners
 Insufficient space for straight felling
 Overhead / underground utilities don’t
allow felling
 Dismantling required for ecological
reasons
 Work quality compliance significantly
compromised
 …………………………………………………………
 …………………………………………………………
You now need to consider using a PLATFORM……
PREVENT a fall from occurring whilst
working at height
Can the work be completed using a Platform or
similar, like a MEWP or scaffold tower?
 YES – Now consider operator
competence and emergency
requirements.
 NO. If not then…..
If you don’t think a Platform can be used, why
not?
 Inadequate space available
 Ground conditions unsuitable /
unstable
 Aerial/ground working space limited
By platform use
 Overhead / underground services
 Site access unavailable / restricted.
 Available crown access is low e.g. <50%
 Additional cost grossly outweighs
increased safety
 Work quality is significantly
compromised.
 …………………………………………………………
 …………………………………………………………
So you can’t use a platform. You now need to
consider working from a ROPE……
MINIMISE the chance of a fall from
occurring whilst working at height
Review OTHER equipment and methods for
work at height
Following a tree condition assessment, can a
climber safely gain access into the tree?
 NO - Stop! Do Not Proceed Climbing
operations anchored into an unsafe
structure must not be undertaken.
REVIEW and seek an alternative safe
system of work.
 YES – Are you going to use a rigging
equipment?
 NO – now consider operator
competence and emergency
requirements.



Review
YES – Does it appear possible to safely
carry out the work using rigging
techniques?
NO - Stop! Do Not Proceed Rigging
operations are not to be carried out on
an unsafe structure likely to fail.
REVIEW and seek an alternative work
method.
YES - now consider operator
competence and emergency
requirements
You must be doing something a little out the
ordinary in tree work at height. Now check the
process again to double check you have not
considered or missed something important.
If you are certain you will not be working from
GROUND, PLATFORM, or ROPE you will need to
justify and document your decision to work at
height making sure you explain what
methodology and equipment you propose using
and why. Consider other methods available e.g.
cranes, heli-logging.
Refer to the Industry Code of Practice for
Arboriculture - Tree Work at Height and other
industry guidance to assist you.
Consider if you need any additional support and
advice, e.g. from an industry expert, to assist you.
WARNING: Always work in line with industry good practice
Emergency/ Rescue Provision:
 Complete emergency action plan as part of the
site management
 First aid provision available and readily
accessible
 MEWP available on site
 Equipment readily accessible and sufficient
contents for rescue
 Competent aerial rescuer available
 Ladders available on site
 Climbing irons readily available
 Second access line or throw line installed
Operator Competencies Required:








Powered Pole Pruner
Felling
Assisted Fell
MEWP Operator
Climb Trees and Perform Aerial Rescue
Use of a chainsaw from rope and harness
Aerial Tree Pruning
Aerial Tree Rigging
Specify any addtional equipment
requirements:
END continue planning works