Tree-climbing plan record: the fields WorkSafeBC lists
The fields WorkSafeBC names for a documented tree-climbing plan, each attributed to the regulation, with the planning lists of SafeWork NSW, HSE and WorkSafe New Zealand set beside them.
Checked against the sources at the bottom of this page on October 9, 2026. Rules, fees and pay change: the source has the last word.
This page reports what the named codes, regulators and makers say. It is not training and does not teach the work. This page reports what the official source says. It is not legal advice: ask the office named here. It lists the fields that regulators name for a plan made before a tree is climbed. The first table follows the WorkSafeBC Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, which is the one regulator read that sets out a documented tree-climbing plan field by field. The other regulators' planning lists are set beside it. It is not a template, and a record with these fields is not claimed to meet any rule. All pages were read on October 9, 2026. The courses that teach the work are in the guides on chainsaw tickets and certifications by country. SafeWork NSW text is adapted under CC BY 4.0 and HSE text under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The list this page follows: WorkSafeBC
Section 26.12.0.3 of the OHS Regulation, Part 26 says a qualified arborist or trainee arborist preparing a tree-climbing plan visually assesses each tree to be climbed or affected for the first three items below, identifies the rest, and documents how the hazards are controlled together with the climbing system, anchor point, workers, protective equipment, communication and emergency procedures. A plan prepared by a trainee arborist is approved by a qualified arborist under section 26.12.0.2.
| Field | What the section says |
|---|---|
| Tree structure | Shape, lean, root collar, roots, stems, trunk and branches |
| Failure patterns | The recurring patterns of failure for the species, such as rot, root damage or stem damage |
| Hazards and their control | The tree-climbing activities and the work on the ground around the tree or other trees, with how each hazard is eliminated or minimized |
| Climbing system | The tree-climbing system to be used |
| Anchor point | The type and location of the initial anchor point |
| Workers | The name and duties of each worker involved |
| Protective equipment | The PPE for each worker involved |
| Communication | The effective means of communication between the arborist and the ground workers |
| Emergency response | Emergency response, evacuation and rescue procedures for equipment malfunction, a fall, an injury or incapacity to self-rescue |
The section also says that if a new hazard is found after the plan is written, the plan is amended, the change is passed to each affected worker before it is put in use and the amendment is documented as soon as practicable. Section 26.12.0.2 says the plan, as documented, is communicated to each worker involved. The WorkSafeBC safety bulletin of November 2023 describes the plan as one of its four elements, with identifying the risks, using appropriate control measures and checking that workers are qualified.
Other regulators' planning lists
The SafeWork NSW code of practice Tree works says planning considers a visual inspection of the tree to determine the scope of work, the access methods, weather, exclusion and drop zones, selecting the workers and equipment, a safe system of work with planning for emergencies and first aid, and the location of overhead lines and underground services. It does not set a form. The HSE page on tree-climbing operations says the job is discussed and planned beforehand, with a risk assessment and emergency contingencies prepared, and that notice is taken of an agreed system of communication. The WorkSafe New Zealand approved code of practice says a visual hazard assessment of the tree and its rooted area is made before climbing, that working techniques and work progression are fully discussed and understood by ground staff, and that rescue procedures are outlined and understood. Neither sets out a form of fields.
The guide to site paperwork by country compares the records each country asks for. The rescue duties behind the emergency field are in the guides on aerial rescue and emergency action plans.
Sources
- WorkSafeBC, OHS Regulation Part 26, sections 26.12.0.2 and 26.12.0.3, read October 9, 2026
- WorkSafeBC, safety bulletin on arborists and tree removal, November 2023, read October 9, 2026
- SafeWork NSW, Tree works code of practice, March 2026, licensed CC BY 4.0, read October 9, 2026
- HSE, tree-climbing operations, Open Government Licence v3.0, read October 9, 2026
- WorkSafe New Zealand, approved code of practice for safety and health in arboriculture, read October 9, 2026