Practices specific to tree climbing, pruning, removal, rigging, tree support systems and tree condition assessments.

Legislation

  • Require putting in place arrangements to control health and safety risks by way of risk assessment.

    Further information:

  • Apply where there is a risk of fall liable to cause personal injury. Requires consideration of a hierarchy of control measures.

    Further information:

  • These regulations require arrangements to protect people from exposure to substances that cause ill health. This includes substances produced in the course of work (e.g. saw dust, fumes) as well as substances with hazardous warning labels. Manufacturers provide chemical Safety Data Sheets for the latter which are helpful for identifying substance risks and appropriate controls to minimise risks.

    Further information:

    • HSE INDG 137: Working with substances hazardous to health

  • This legislation requires that work equipment is suitable for its intended purpose, appropriately maintained and inspected.

    Further information:

  • Equipment used for lifting loads must be marked with Safe Working Load, a unique ID, inspected at regular intervals and undergo a Thorough Examination.

    Further information:

  • This legislation requires manual-handling operations be planned to avoid musculoskeletal damage through, for example, the use mechanical aids, dragging or pulling instead of lifting, lifting within your capabilities, getting assistance and/or making the load lighter.

    Further information:

    • HSE INDG143: Manual Handling at work

  • This legislation requires reporting to HSE when in the course of work a person dies or suffers any serious condition, disease or is absent from work for a specified period due to a work-related injury.

    Further information:

    • HSE INDG 453: Reporting accidents and incidents at work

  • This legislation requires operatives to carry appropriate first aid for their task and that a person is appointed to take charge of first aid arrangements.

    Further information:

  • This legislation requires equipment be marked with the appropriate certificate of conformity, be appropriate for the task and kept in good condition. It also places duties on employees to use and maintain PPE and report any defects.

    Further information:

    • HSE L25: Personal Protective Equipment at work

  • This legislation requires training and certification for installing appropriate road signage and guards to protect operatives and road users.

    Further information:

  • The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) publish Approved Codes of Practice (ACoP) sometimes referred to as ‘L-series’ or ‘Legal reference’ documents which can be found here.

    ACOP you may find useful for interpreting regulations applicable to arboriculture activities include:

    L5 Control of Substances Hazardous to Health

    L22 Safe use of work equipment

    L23 Manual handling

    L25 Personal protective equipment at work

    L74 First aid at work

    L108 Control noise at work

    L113 Safe use of Lifting Equipment

    L140 Hand-arm Vibration syndrome

    L141 Whole body vibration

    L146 Consulting with workers on health and safety.

    L153 Managing health and safety in construction

  • Published by the Department for Transport, this CoP provides guidance on arrangements for works on streets and roads. The CoP is available here.

Approved Codes of Practice (ACoP)

ACoP are documents published by government agencies or regulatory bodies offering legal guidance on how to comply with regulations. They are helpful for interpreting regulations.

Industry Codes of Practice (CoP)

Documents published by industry organizations (e.g. Arboriculture Association) providing recommendations and guidance on standards specific to a particular industry. CoP are not legally enforceable but serve as a guide for industry best practice.

  • This ICoP provides recommendations and guidance pertaining to the planning, management and undertaking of arboricultural tasks and operations.

    • BS3998:2010
      Tree Work - Recommendations. Relevant to tree pruning, removal and associated works.

    • BS5837:2012
      Tree in relation to design, demolition and construction. Relevant to tree protection and planning on development sites.

    • BS 8545:2014
      Trees: from nursery to independence in the landscape. Relevant to tree planting operations.

    Older (useful) BSI publications:

    • BS 3936 (1-4)
      Nursery Stock

    • BS 4428-1989
      General landscape operations (excluding hard surfaces)

    • BS 4043:1989
      Recommendations for Transplanting root-balled trees

    • BS 3882:2015
      Specification for topsoil

    • BS 7370:1993
      Grounds maintenance Part 4. Recommendations for maintenance of soft landscape (other than amenity turf)

  • Volume 4: Street Works UK Guidelines For The Planning, Installation And Maintenance Of Utility Apparatus In Proximity To Trees (Issue 2)

Technical guidance

Training providers