Safety tips
Forestry and land-clearing machinery is powerful equipment. Used correctly, it can make demanding work far more efficient; used without proper controls, it can cause serious injury, equipment damage or environmental harm.
These practical guidelines are intended for operators, supervisors and project managers. They complement, rather than replace, the machine manufacturer’s instructions, site risk assessments and applicable health and safety requirements.
The incident that didn't happen is the one nobody talks about
Forestry and land clearing involve significant workplace risks. Poor risk assessment, inadequate equipment maintenance, insufficient operator training, time pressure and routine can all contribute to preventable incidents.
Safety starts before the machine moves
The guidance provided here is not a substitute for a formal risk assessment, a site-specific method statement or the training and legal requirements applicable to professional forestry and land-clearing work. It is intended as a practical reference for operators, supervisors and teams working with heavy equipment.
Good safety practices begin before operations start: inspect the machine, understand the site conditions, identify potential hazards and make sure everyone involved knows the appropriate procedures.
If conditions change or something does not appear safe, stop the operation and reassess the situation before continuing. A short delay is preferable to exposing people, equipment or the site to an avoidable risk.
Before work begins
Site assessment: understand the ground before starting
Many serious incidents can be prevented by identifying hazards before machinery enters the work area. A proper site assessment gives the team a clear understanding of ground conditions, nearby infrastructure and the controls required for the job.
Conduct a written risk assessment
A site walk-through is useful, but it is not a substitute for a documented risk assessment. Identify the specific hazards, assess the associated risks and record the control measures required.
The assessment should be completed before work starts, communicated to everyone involved and reviewed whenever site conditions, equipment or the work method changes.
Identify and mark underground services
Before stump grinding, subsoiling, drainage work, levelling or other ground-disturbing activities, obtain available plans and identify underground utilities and services.
Gas, water, electricity, telecommunications and drainage infrastructure can be difficult to locate accurately from the surface. Follow the applicable utility-location procedure for the site and physically mark identified services before excavation or ground penetration begins.
Assess slope stability
Before operating machinery on slopes, assess the gradient, ground bearing capacity, soil moisture and surface condition. Look for erosion channels, voids, unstable root plates and other features that could affect machine stability.
Do not rely solely on how a slope looks from ground level. Check the machine manufacturer’s limits and establish safe operating parameters before work begins.
Identify overhead hazards
Identify power lines, telecommunications cables and tree-related overhead hazards before felling, crane or handling operations.
Where overhead power lines are present, establish the required exclusion distances in accordance with local regulations and site procedures. Never assume a cable is safe to approach because it appears insulated.
Establish exclusion zones
Clearly define exclusion zones around active felling, mulching, chipping, stump grinding and extraction operations. Keep people who are not directly involved in the task outside these areas.
The boundaries should be communicated to the entire team and maintained throughout the operation, including when machinery or working conditions change.
Brief the full team
A pre-start safety briefing should cover the identified hazards, exclusion zones, emergency arrangements and agreed communication methods.
Make sure new workers and visitors receive the relevant information before entering the work area. Repeat the briefing whenever there is a significant change in personnel, equipment, weather or site conditions.
Talk to our technical team directly
Our maintenance guides cover the most common checks and servicing requirements across our equipment categories. However, not every issue can be solved by following a general guide.
If you have a machine-specific question, an unusual fault or a technical issue with equipment currently on rental, speak directly with our technical team. You’ll get practical guidance based on the machine and the situation you’re dealing with, rather than being sent through an automated system.
If a problem occurs on site, call us before spending hours troubleshooting it yourself. In many cases, a quick conversation can help identify the likely cause, confirm the appropriate next step and avoid unnecessary downtime.
Our goal is simple: help you get the equipment back to work safely and efficiently.