Tree work is one of the highest-fatality sectors in the UK — typically several fatalities per year per HSE statistics. A felling method statement is required for any work beyond routine ground-level pruning and is the primary evidence of competent planning under HSWA 1974 s.2/3, MHSWR 1999 reg 3, WAHR 2005 (for aerial work), and PUWER 1998 / LOLER 1998 (for chainsaws and MEWPs). The document follows the HSE Arboriculture and Forestry Advisory Group (AFAG) safety guides, which are the de facto sector standard. This template covers the site survey, the felling method selection (straight fell, sectional dismantle, rigging-down), the target-area control, the rescue plan, and the public / property protection where the work is in a domestic, highway or other publicly-accessible setting.
The Arboriculture and Forestry Advisory Group (AFAG) publishes a series of free safety guides that the HSE treats as the recognised good practice for the sector. AFAG 301 covers tree climbing operations; AFAG 302 covers MEWP operations; AFAG 401 covers tree felling and conversion. The method statement should explicitly reference the applicable AFAG guides and confirm that the operatives hold the corresponding NPTC / City & Guilds units (CS30/31 for ground-saw / cross-cutting, CS38 for tree climbing and aerial rescue, CS39 for chainsaw use from a rope and harness, CS41 for windblown / fragmented trees, CS47 for MEWP).
The document must also reference the work-area sign-off under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 / Chapter 8 of the Traffic Signs Manual where the work is on or alongside the highway.
The method statement starts with the site survey: tree species, height, diameter at breast height (DBH), lean, dead-wood / decay / fungal-fruiting-body present, root-plate condition, target area (drop zone, structures, overhead services, public footpath, road, parked vehicles), wind exposure and forecast. The survey decision drives the felling method.
Straight felling (whole tree to ground) is the default for forestry / open-area work — the document names the felling cut (gob, hinge, back-cut with sight line), the escape route at 45° behind, the felling lever / wedge where used, and the prohibited zone (two tree-heights as a minimum). Sectional dismantling (top down by chainsaw from rope-and-harness or MEWP) is required where the drop zone is constrained — domestic gardens, highways, near services. Rigging-down (lowering sections on a controlled rope) is required where sections cannot free-fall safely. The method statement names the rigging hardware, the rated capacity of the lowering line, the friction device (Port-A-Wrap, GRCS) and the named ground anchor.
The 'drop zone' or 'felling zone' for a free-fell is two tree-heights as a minimum, and the method statement names the exclusion-zone marshals and the verbal-and-visual signal sequence ('Tree falling!' confirmed by visual scan). For domestic garden work the zone is enforced by client briefing and physical barriers. For highway-adjacent work the method statement references Chapter 8 traffic management, the lane / footway closure, the diversion route, and the NRSWA permit / Section 50 / Section 81 reference where applicable.
Overhead electricity is the most common cause of fatal tree-work incidents. The assessment must reference ENA 'Look out, Look up!' guidance and the safe minimum approach distances (typically several metres for low voltage, larger for 11 kV+). Where work cannot maintain the safe distance, the line must be isolated via the DNO — never approached live.
AFAG guidance requires an aerial rescue plan to be in place before any climber leaves the ground. The plan names the second competent climber on site (NPTC CS38, current within a defined response time), the rescue ascent route, the rescue equipment (descender, prusik, knife), the casualty-handling protocol for suspension trauma, and the route to the emergency services rendezvous. The plan is read out at the pre-work briefing and signed by the climbing team.
A chainsaw climber working alone is not an acceptable arrangement and is the single most cited reason for HSE improvement notices in the sector. The method statement must demonstrate two competent climbers on site for any aerial chainsaw work.
The numbered sections a reviewer expects to see, in order.
Species, height, DBH, lean, decay, root-plate condition, target area, services overhead and underground, wind forecast.
Straight fell / sectional dismantle / rigging-down — justified by the survey outcome.
Exclusion zone (two tree-heights min for free-fell), marshals, signal sequence, physical barriers.
Chapter 8 TM, lane / footway closure, NRSWA permit reference, diversion route.
DNO consultation, isolation reference where required, safe minimum approach distance.
Tree climbing (CS38 + rope and harness) or MEWP (CS47) — anchors, lanyards, second line, MEWP make / model and pre-use check.
Chainsaw make / model and chain spec, PPE (helmet to EN 397, visor, ear defence, chainsaw trousers Type A or C, chainsaw boots), rigging line and friction device.
NPTC / C&G certificates by named operative — CS30/31, CS38, CS39, CS41, CS47 as relevant — with certificate numbers and expiry dates.
Named second climber, rescue route, descender / prusik / knife, suspension-trauma protocol, emergency rendezvous point.
Chipper / mulcher operation (PUWER), chipper feed-roller emergency stop check, transport off-site.
Why a method statement gets sent back — these are the patterns we see most often.
The legal framework this method statement operates inside. Links go to the official source.
SI 2005/735
Applies to all aerial work — climbing and MEWP.
SI 1998/2306
Chainsaws, chippers, MEWPs — selection, inspection, training.
SI 1998/2307
MEWPs used to lift people — six-monthly thorough examination.
HSE AFAG
The sector good-practice guides for felling, climbing, MEWP work and rescue — referenced as the recognised standard.
DfT Traffic Signs Manual
The standard reference for highway-adjacent work area sign-off.
ENA guidance
Safe minimum approach distances for overhead electricity lines.
Not for any aerial chainsaw work. AFAG guidance requires a second competent climber on site, current within a defined response time, capable of aerial rescue. For ground-level work alone (e.g. CS30 cross-cutting on a windblown stem) the assessment must address lone working, communication and emergency response.
CS38 covers tree climbing and aerial rescue using rope-and-harness — entry-level aerial competence. CS39 covers the use of a chainsaw from a rope and harness — required to actually cut from a climbing position. Both are needed for sectional dismantling by climbing; a CS38-only climber can ascend but not cut from height.
Yes — either a Chapter 8 lane / footway closure under a Section 50 / Section 81 NRSWA permit (England / Wales) or the equivalent in Scotland / Northern Ireland. The method statement names the permit reference and the diversion route. Highway authority sign-off may also be required for veteran trees or Tree Preservation Order (TPO) work.
Tree Preservation Order (TPO) trees and trees in a Conservation Area require six weeks' written notice to the local planning authority before any work (or an application for consent for TPO work). The method statement should reference the application / notification number.
ENA guidance gives safe minimum approach distances — typically several metres for low voltage and larger for 11 kV and above. Where the work cannot maintain the distance, the line is isolated via the DNO. Never assume a line is dead and never approach a fallen conductor — treat it as live until the DNO confirms otherwise.
Generate a preview first. Sign up only when you want to save, edit or export.
Final RAMS must be reviewed and approved by a competent person before use.