Tree work safety rules by US state, Canadian province and Australian state

This page describes what each rule or code says and where it is published. It does not tell anyone how to climb, cut or rig. The national picture is on the safety rules by country page, and work near power lines is on the utility line clearance guide. Each rule shows its own amendment date on the official page.

United States

Federal OSHA

OSHA's page on standards for tree care says the tree care industry must comply with all the general industry standards in 29 CFR 1910. It names ANSI Z133 and A300 as voluntary consensus standards.

State plans

On OSHA's state plans page OSHA says 22 state plans cover both private sector and state and local government workers, and seven cover only state and local government workers. A state plan runs its own program. In the 22 plans that cover private sector workers, a tree company answers to the state agency. The states below publish a rule or section that names tree work.

State	Rule or code	What it covers
California	Title 8, Article 12, sections 3420 to 3428	Tree and ornamental palm maintenance and removal
California	Title 8, Article 38, section 2950	Line clearance tree trimming near exposed energized overhead conductors
Michigan	MIOSHA General Industry Part 53, Tree Trimming and Removal	Tools, equipment and work practices for spraying, trimming, pruning, repair and removal of trees
Oregon	OAR 437-002-0301 to 0311	Minimum safety requirements for tree and shrub trimming, pruning, bracing, removal and surgery
Virginia	16VAC25-73, Tree Trimming Operations	Arboriculture safety requirements; line-clearance trimming is sent to the 1910.269 adoption
Washington	WAC 296-45-455	Line-clearance tree-trimming operations and the equipment used

California

Section 3420 says Article 12 applies to work performed and equipment used in tree and ornamental palm maintenance and removal. Its note sends line clearance tree trimming near high voltage to Article 38 of the High-Voltage Electrical Safety Orders. The sections are short, so here is each in a line.

3421, general. Each tree work location is under the direction of a qualified tree worker. Training is documented by the employer. An Injury and Illness Prevention Program is kept under section 3203.
3422, ropes and climbing equipment. Load bearing components of a climbing system have a minimum tensile strength of 5,000 pounds.
3423 and 3424. Electrical hazards, and mobile equipment.
3425, portable power hand tools. Chain saws are not drop started. Power saws over fifteen pounds used in trees are supported by a separate line or tool lanyard.
3426, hand tools. Tools other than ropes or throwlines are not thrown into a tree, out of a tree or between workers aloft.
3427, safe work procedures. The tree, including the root collar, is visually inspected by a qualified tree worker before climbing. The section also sets out when a qualified tree worker may be hoisted by crane.
3428, stump cutters. Stump cutters carry enclosures or guards.

Read the text on the California DIR Title 8 site. Section 2950 of Article 38 applies to line clearance tree trimming near exposed energized overhead conductors, and has an exception for a qualified tree worker near low voltage lines of 600 volts or less. See section 2950.

Michigan

MIOSHA's Part 53 is a full set of tree rules in the Michigan Administrative Code. Rule 408.15301 sets the scope. Other rules in it:

R 408.15311 requires a job briefing before any tree job with unusual hazards, and rescue procedures for aloft employees.
R 408.15321 says a tree worker or qualified line clearance tree trimmer shall not make direct contact with an energized conductor, with a distance table.
R 408.15331 says an approved safety belt, tree trimming saddle belt or rope saddle is used aloft, and the climber remains tied in until the work is completed.
R 408.15336 says other employees are cleared to a distance of twice the height of the tree being cut.
R 408.15343 says a brush chipper has an ignition lock, kept locked with the key removed when the chipper is unattended.
R 408.15352 says a power saw over 15 pounds used in a tree is supported by a separate work rope, except when working from an aerial lift.

The Cornell Legal Information Institute reproduces the code, starting at rule 408.15301.

Oregon

Oregon OSHA's Division 2, Subdivision R, holds the tree and shrub services rules, 437-002-0301 to 0311. They exclude tree trimming within 10 feet of high voltage lines, which Division 2/RR covers under its line-clearance tree trimming rule, 437-002-2317. Examples from the text:

0306 sets a 10 foot distance for unqualified persons from lines of 50 kV or below.
0307 says safety belts, tree trimming saddles or a saddle formed by a double bowline are worn when working aloft.
0308 says power saws are not used when employees are supported by a single climbing belt or rope.

The text is in Division 2, Subdivision R. The Oregon OSHA Division 2 rules list shows the section numbers.

Virginia and Washington

Virginia's chapter 16VAC25-73 has sections on orientation and training, electrical hazards, vehicles and mobile equipment, portable power hand tools, hand tools and ladders, and work procedures. Section 10 says it covers pruning, repairing, maintaining and removing trees, cutting brush and using equipment in those operations. It says it does not apply to line-clearance tree trimming, which is covered by 16VAC25-90-1910.269. See the Virginia Administrative Code chapter and the Virginia unique standards list.

Washington's rule on line-clearance trimming, WAC 296-45-455, sits in the electrical workers chapter. It sets additional requirements for line-clearance tree-trimming operations and the equipment used. It says a second line-clearance tree trimmer must be within normal voice communication under listed conditions, including approaching within 10 feet of conductors over 600 volts. Chapter 296-45 also has sections for brush chippers, sprayers and stump cutters.

Canada

Each province and territory writes its own occupational health and safety rules. The table names the parts that mention tree work or chain saws.

Province	Rule or code	What it covers
British Columbia	OHS Reg., Part 26, sections 26.2.1 and 26.11	Planning for pruning, felling and taking trees down in pieces; dangerous trees
British Columbia	OHS Reg., Part 26, sections 26.12.0.1 to 26.12.0.6	Tree climbing outside forestry operations
British Columbia	OHS Reg., Part 19, sections 19.30 to 19.35	Tree pruning and falling near energized conductors
Alberta	OHS Code, Part 39, sections 792 to 796	Tree care operations when a worker depends on the tree for support
Saskatchewan	OHS Regs 2020, 7-10, 10-13, 30-16	Leg protection, chain saws, utility tree trimmers
Manitoba	Safety and Health Reg., Part 40	Forestry and arboriculture operations
Ontario	Reg. 851, section 39	Chain saws, industrial sites
Quebec	ARBO certificate; Safety Code	Tree work qualification; chain saw rules in the Code
New Brunswick	Reg. 91-191, Part XXII	Tree care work
Nova Scotia	OS General Regs, section 90	Chain saw standards

British Columbia

Section 26.2.1 says that where work involves pruning, repairing, maintaining, bucking or manually falling trees, taking down trees in pieces or taking down parts of trees, the employer must see that it is planned under that section. The plan identifies hazards and risks, is communicated to each worker involved before work starts, and is documented when it is made. Section 26.11 says a dangerous tree must be felled, or assessed by a person who has completed a training programme acceptable to the Board. The definition of dangerous tree lists location or lean, physical damage, overhead conditions and deterioration.

Sections 26.12.0.2 to 26.12.0.6 apply to tree climbing at a workplace other than a forestry operation. They say:

The employer must ensure that only a qualified arborist or trainee arborist engages in tree-climbing activities. The regulation defines qualified arborist by knowledge, through training or training and education, of tree-climbing activities and systems.
A qualified arborist determines that each tree can withstand the loads put on it, and a tree-climbing plan is prepared. The plan covers tree structure hazards, the climbing system, the initial anchor point, the workers, and the emergency response, evacuation and rescue procedures.
Section 26.12.0.4 covers a stopper knot at the end of each climbing line, cutting tools used only when tied in with a climbing line or lanyard plus a second means of securement, and staying secured until the worker is back on the ground.
Section 26.12.0.5 says the employer must ensure a climbing arborist can be promptly rescued under the plan.
Section 26.12.0.6 says the tree-climbing system is inspected by a qualified arborist before first use each work shift, and all of it is removed from service if any piece arrests a fall.

Part 19 defines certified utility arborist as a person who has completed a course of instruction, has a minimum of 1,200 hours of practical experience and is certified by an authority acceptable to the Board. Section 19.33 says that for tree pruning or falling within the minimum distances from overhead high voltage energized conductors, a certified utility arborist or a qualified electrical worker is at the site directing the work, with one more qualified person trained in emergency rescue. Read Part 26 and Part 19 on the WorkSafeBC site.

Alberta

Section 792 says Part 39 applies to arboriculture activities that involve pruning, repairing, maintaining or removing trees or cutting brush if a worker works at height and depends on the tree for support. Section 793 asks the employer for safe work practices covering hazard assessment, worker training, equipment and PPE, work positioning and fall protection, and emergency rescue. Section 794 sets a work positioning system where the general fall protection rule, section 139, is not reasonably practicable. Section 795 lists the standards a harness made on or after March 31, 2023 must meet, including CSA Z259.10-18 and EN 361. Section 796 says the knot rule in section 150.3 does not apply to this work. See Part 39 on the Alberta site.

Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario

Saskatchewan's regulations define a utility tree trimmer as a person who has completed an approved course. Section 30-16(10) says an employer or contractor must ensure no utility tree trimmer works within the minimum distance from an exposed energized conductor shown in the table. Section 7-10 says a worker operating a chain saw is deemed exposed to the risk of a lower body cut, which brings in the safety pants or chaps rule. Section 10-13 says a chain saw operator does not operate the saw above shoulder level and holds it with both hands. Part 28, Forestry and Mill Operations, defines a forestry operation as the cutting or harvesting of trees. Read the regulations PDF.

Manitoba's Part 40, Forestry and Arboriculture, applies to every workplace where forestry or arboriculture operations take place, and defines arboriculture as the pruning, repair, maintenance or removal of trees. The employer must develop and use safe work procedures, train workers in them and ensure workers comply. Section 40.3 says only persons involved may enter the work area. Section 40.5 says a lodged tree is felled immediately, is not climbed and is not lowered by felling another tree onto it. Section 16.27 says chain saws meet CSA Z62.1-15 and have a safety chain, chain brake and chain catcher. See the Manitoba regulation PDF.

Ontario's Regulation 851 applies to all industrial establishments. Section 39 says a chain saw has a chain that minimizes the possibility of a kickback and a device that stops the chain in a kickback, is held firmly by both hands in use, and has the chain stopped when not cutting. See Regulation 851.

Quebec

The Quebec government page says the qualification certificate in arboriculture (ARBO) is mandatory for anyone doing arboriculture work for an employer. It lists the work as manual vegetation control along energy or telecommunications rights of way, pruning outside forests, tree trimming, felling of predetermined trees outside forests, stump removal, chipping outside forests, tree and shrub surgery and cabling. CNESST, the provincial workplace safety body, gives June 8, 2026 as the date each worker doing pruning or arboriculture work must hold the certificate. See the Quebec ARBO certificate page and the CNESST arboriculture page.

The Safety Code for the construction industry applies to work carried out on a construction site as the Act defines it. Its chain saw section 7.1.3.2.1 says a chain saw complies with CSA Z62.1-15 for Classes 1A and 2A, and section 7.1.3.2.4 says the user wears pants or chaps complying with Class A, C or D of ASTM F3325-18. The code is on LegisQuebec.

New Brunswick and Nova Scotia

New Brunswick's General Regulation 91-191 has a Part XXII, Arboricultural Operations, sections 366 to 374. It defines an arboricultural operation as work connected with the care and maintenance of trees, including pruning and tree removal.

Section 367 says an employer who provides tree removal or maintenance services must ensure the employee is competent and has adequate equipment.
Section 368 brings in the regulation's chain saw sections, including 346 on footwear and leg protection and 348 on the saw.
Section 369 says an employee may work closer to an energized utility line than the section 289(1) distances only after completing an arboricultural electrical safety course offered by the NB Safety Council or an equivalent. Section 370 says the employer notifies the line owner or operator first.
Section 374 covers work more than 3 m above a safe level: a fall-arresting system, or a safety belt, tree-trimming saddle belt or a saddle formed by a double bowline on a bight, with a rope designed for tree maintenance as a life line.

Read it in the General Regulation PDF.

Nova Scotia's Occupational Safety General Regulations, section 90, says an employer ensures chain saws comply with the latest version of CSA Z62.1, Chain Saws, and CSA Z62.3, Chain Saw Kickback. See the regulations page.

Australia

Safe Work Australia says it is a national policy body, not a regulator of work health and safety. The Commonwealth, states and territories regulate and enforce within their own jurisdictions, and its guide says work health and safety laws are not the same across Australia. So the guide below is national, and the codes and guidance that follow are by state.

Place	Document	What it covers
National	Safe Work Australia, Guide to managing risks of tree work, March 2023	Tree work and ground operations such as chipping and stump grinding
New South Wales	SafeWork NSW, Tree works Code of Practice, March 2026	Tree works under the WHS Act, from climbing to crane access
Victoria	WorkSafe Victoria, Working safely with trees guidance note	Falling objects, powerlines, height, chain saws and chippers
Queensland	Guide for tree trimming and removal work, crane access method	Crane access to trees, June 2015 version
South Australia	SafeWork SA, Tree felling page	Felling risks; links the Safe Work Australia guide
Western Australia	WorkSafe, Tree lopping and gardening services checklist	Duties of businesses in the amenity tree industry
Northern Territory	NT WorkSafe, safety alert on large trees and palms	Inspection and maintenance of large trees and palms

Safe Work Australia

The guide says tree work includes lopping, pruning, trimming, repairing, maintaining and removing trees and vegetation, and ground operations such as wood chipping, stump grinding and root pruning. It does not cover commercial forestry. It says duty holders include arborists, tree surgeons, tree loppers, vegetation management workers, horticulturalists, gardeners, landscapers and others in the industry. It says conforming with industry guidance and standards does not by itself mean a duty holder is complying with the model WHS laws, and that the arboricultural industry's Minimum Industry Standards give technical guidance for the tasks. For work near overhead lines it points to the state or territory electricity supply authority or regulator for work zones and approach distances. See the Guide to managing risks of tree work.

New South Wales

The SafeWork NSW Tree works Code of Practice was approved under section 274 of the NSW Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and commenced on March 27, 2026. It replaces the 1998 Amenity Tree Industry Code of practice. The code lists tasks such as lopping, pruning, trimming, repairing, maintaining, transplanting and removing trees. Its chapters include tree climbing, elevating work platforms, crane access, ladders, cliffs and roofs, lowering branches, and trees or branches contacting electric lines. Among its points, anchor points are described as able to support the force of a fall, two people and possible rescue loads, and two points of attachment are described as the approach when operating cutting equipment. Read the Tree works Code of Practice. The code may still refer to withdrawn Australian Standards, and says so.

Victoria, Queensland and South Australia

WorkSafe Victoria's notice of January 28, 2020 says its Working safely with trees guidance note was updated with the tree industry, arborist groups and Energy Safe Victoria, with information from SafeWork NSW and Safe Work Australia. It covers falling objects such as branches, powerlines, working at height, chain saws and wood chippers. A safety checklist for the amenity tree and gardening services industry goes with it. See the WorkSafe Victoria notice.

The Workplace Health and Safety Queensland guide for tree trimming and removal work, crane access method (PN11834, version 1, June 2015), applies to all businesses that use cranes to access trees. It describes the method as a worker in a harness lifted into a tree by crane, who attaches to the tree and detaches from the crane before work begins. See the Queensland guide.

SafeWork SA's tree felling page cites Australian fatality data: about 65 percent of fatalities during tree felling, 20 percent during trimming or lopping and 7 percent during cutting or clearing of felled material. It says only professional arborists should undertake sectional felling, and links the Safe Work Australia guide as further reading. See the SafeWork SA tree felling page.

Western Australia and Northern Territory

WorkSafe Western Australia publishes a tree lopping and gardening services checklist, published in September 2024 and updated in August 2025. It is written for businesses and people including arborists, tree climbers, gardeners, tree workers and landscapers in the amenity tree industry. It says it highlights relevant considerations and does not cover all WHS requirements. See the WorkSafe WA checklist page.

NT WorkSafe's safety alert on large trees and palms, issued in October 2016 and updated in October 2022, says persons with management or control of a workplace must eliminate risks so far as reasonably practicable, or minimise them, and sets out inspection and maintenance for large trees and palms. It says pruning should follow the Australian Standard and to use qualified arborists for remedial or other tree works. See the NT WorkSafe alert.

New Zealand

WorkSafe New Zealand hosts the Approved Code of Practice for Safety and Health in Arboriculture, dated November 2012. It covers climbing, pruning, trimming, maintaining and removing trees, cutting brush and using equipment for those operations where no electrical hazards are involved. The code says it should be read with the related approved codes on tree work around power lines and forestry operations. It describes itself as a statement of preferred work practices that a court may consider.

WorkSafe's page says the code has not been updated for the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and its regulations, and that it will be progressively reviewed and either updated, replaced with other guidance, or revoked. Two lines from the code: an arborist climbing line has a minimum breaking strength of 22 kN when new, and drop starting a chainsaw is not an approved work practice. The power line side is a separate code, Safety and Health in Tree Work, Part 2: Maintenance of Trees Around Power Lines, published by the Department of Labour in February 1996. See the WorkSafe page and the power lines code.

At a glance

Country	Where tree rules sit	Who publishes
United States	State plan rules: California, Michigan, Oregon, Virginia, Washington	State occupational safety agencies
Canada	Provincial regulations: BC, Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick and others	Provincial governments and regulators
Australia	State codes and guidance, plus a national guide	State regulators; Safe Work Australia
New Zealand	Approved Code of Practice, November 2012	WorkSafe New Zealand

A rule in one state or province does not carry over to the next.