Fire and fuel in tree work: what the regulators say

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 sets out what regulators in New South Wales, New Zealand and the United States say about fuel, refuelling and fire risk in tree work. 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. Text adapted from the SafeWork NSW code is used under CC BY 4.0.

New South Wales, Australia

The SafeWork NSW code of practice Tree works has a section on fire prevention. For bushfire and environment risk it says climate and conditions are considered, including fire danger ratings, total fire bans, dry vegetation and high winds, and that work is planned and if necessary changed or postponed in periods of raised bushfire risk. It says an emergency management plan covers emergency procedures, escape routes and communication methods in case of fire.

For petrol equipment the code says petrol and other flammable liquids are stored in safety cans or containers made for flammable liquids, and that petrol-driven equipment can start fires, particularly in dry vegetation or bushland. The controls it lists are stopping equipment before refuelling, cleaning up spilled fuel before restarting, keeping equipment at least three metres from refuelling areas, prohibiting smoking or open flames near fuel, and having fire extinguishers or suppression equipment ready. It adds that workers are trained in the safe handling of flammable liquids and fire prevention. In its chainsaw section it says that after refuelling, operators move away from the fuel source before starting the engine, and for elevating work platforms it says fuel should not be carried on the platform or in the bucket. It also says a pole saw is not refuelled or sharpened in a position aloft.

New Zealand

The WorkSafe New Zealand approved code of practice for safety and health in arboriculture has rules for refuelling a chainsaw: the motor is stopped, the saw is on clear ground, the oil tank is filled first so the saw can cool, fuel is not spilled on hot engine parts, and there is no smoking or open flame near the fuelling point. For portable equipment it says the motor is stopped and the operator moves at least three metres from the refuelling area before restarting. It says containers for carrying fuel by foot carry an approved number or are approved by a test certifier, do not exceed five litres, are filled leaving an air gap of five percent by volume, and are inspected and removed from service if worn or damaged. It says glass containers are not used for oil or fuel, and that tools, fuel and equipment are stowed in separate compartments made for the purpose. The code notes that it has not been updated to the 2015 health and safety Act and regulations.

United States

The 2021 OSHA enforcement memo on tree care has a heading on flammable liquids. It says they are stored, handled, transported and used in line with 29 CFR 1910.106, which has requirements for portable containers, and that inspectors assess whether suitable fire control devices such as portable fire extinguishers are available where flammable liquids are stored. OSHA's tree care hazards page lists the same standard among shop hazards, with 29 CFR 1910.157 on fire extinguishers, and recommends considering extinguishers in work vehicles as appropriate. The mixing ratio for fuel is a maker's figure and sits in the guide to chainsaw fuel mix and ethanol.

At a glance

Place	Fuel container	Distance
New South Wales	Safety can made for flammable liquids	Equipment three metres from refuelling
New Zealand	Approved container, five litres at most on foot	Three metres before restart
United States	Portable containers under 1910.106	Not stated in the sources read

Rules for the whole emergency plan are in the guide to emergency action plans, and the wildfire rules for tree clearing in the guide to wildfire plans and tree clearing.