SWMS - Working With Near Chainsaws - Risk Identification and Controls

Sep 12, 2026

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SWMS for working near chainsaws by the Lake Baroon Catchment Care Group sets out a structured risk assessment that identifies discrete task steps and the PPE required. It lists potential hazards and corresponding safety controls, including accredited operators, equipment condition checks, chain-break procedures, kickback awareness, safe working distances, spotters, warning signs, and maintaining an orderly worksite. It also provides guidance for assessing remaining risk using likelihood and consequence descriptors, supported by a risk matrix, and defines actions for extreme, high, moderate, and low residual risk.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPresentations

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time1 min

AccessFree to download

Risk Identification and Controls

Possible hazards and safety controls

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Associated SWMS

PPE item list

Assessing the Level of Risk

Likelihood and consequence descriptors

Risk rating matrix and actions

Adding Extra Risks and Risk Control Strategies

Updating the form and risk cells

Project sign-off and acknowledgements

Lake Baroon Catchment Care Group Inc PO Box 567, Maleny Qld, 4552 Tel: 07 5494 3775 Email: [info@lbccg.org.au](info@lbccg.org.au) ABN: 42136836230 | Version Control | | Approved | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Original version | 1/11/2012 | Name: | Signature: | | Date of this version | 27/07/2020 | | Signature: | | Review Date Due | 27/07/2021 | | Signature: | RISK IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROLS Include all discrete steps involved in the performance of the task. NOTE: The PPE required must be listed. R1 Risk without controls R2 Risk with controls | Possible hazard(s) | R1 | Safety control(s) | R2 | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Hand injury; foreign objects in eyes; noise damage to hearing; serious laceration injuries and postural or overuse strains. | H | • Chainsaws to be only operated by accredited users.
• Chainsaws to be in good condition, correctly maintained and sharp.
• Ensure chain break is operational before use.
• Place warning signs at boundaries to work area when appropriate.
• Wear correct PPE – hard hat, ear protection, safety boots, face guard and leg chaps.
• Maintain safe working distances between participants
– minimum of 5 metres.
• Appoint ‘spotter’ to keep other participants or third parties at a safe distance and watch for unexpected hazards.
• Only start saw when resting on the ground – do not drop start.
• Be aware of kickback when using saw – particularly when plunge cutting strainer posts.
• Always engage chain break when not cutting.
• Maintain orderly worksite to minimise trip hazards. | L | | Overall risk rating | H | Overall risk rating with controls | L | PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) ASSOCIATED SWMS | Item | | --- | | High visibility vest/shirt | | Long sleeves/trousers | | Steel capped safety boots | | Hard hat with face shield | | Hearing protection | | Chainsaw chaps or trousers | | No. | Description | | --- | --- | | SWMS 7 | Manual Handling | | SWMS 17 | Using Power Tools | | | | | | | | | | | | | ASSESSING THE LEVEL OF RISK An important part of formulating your risk control strategies is understanding the level of risk remaining once these are in place, whether you believe the risks are then acceptable and if the activity can proceed. It should also be used to prioritise those risks that require closer management than others. This is done using a standard risk matrix to provide a “Risk Rating”. The risk matrix uses two measures to determine the level of risk: Likelihood – how likely is it that a person will be injured by the risk? Consequence – If an injury occurs what would the likely consequences be? The following descriptors are a guide in determining these two measures. | Descriptor | Outcome Description | | --- | --- | | Highly unlikely / rare | Remote possibility
(less than once every 5+ years) | | Unlikely | Not expected to occur
(may occur every 1-5 years) | | Quite possible | Occurs occasionally (monthly – yearly) | | Likely | Occurs regularly (weekly – monthly) | | Almost certain | Expected to occur (daily – weekly) | Likelihood | Descriptor | Outcome Description | | --- | --- | | Insignificant | No injuries | | Minor | On-site first aid treatment | | Moderate | Medical treatment required, loss of time | | Major | Serious injury, hospitalisation | | Catastrophic | Death, permanent disability | Consequence The level of risk is then simply obtained by using the following table and the likelihood and consequence that has been determined for each risk. For example, a risk that has a likelihood of “unlikely” and a consequence of“moderate”will be a Medium level of risk. | Likelihood | | Consequence | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | | Insignificant | Minor | Moderate | Major | Catastrophic | | | Highly unlikely | L | L | L | M | H | | | Unlikely | L | M | M | H | H | | | Quite possible | L | M | H | H | E | | | Likely | M | H | H | E | E | | | Almost cer

FAQs

What are the key safety controls for working near chainsaws?

Chainsaws must be operated only by accredited users and kept in good condition with correct maintenance and sharpness. The chain break must be operational, kickback risks must be considered, and safe working distances (at least 5 metres) must be maintained with a spotter where needed.

Which PPE is required for this SWMS?

Required PPE includes a high-visibility vest/shirt, long sleeves/trousers, steel-capped safety boots, a hard hat with face shield, hearing protection, and chainsaw chaps or trousers.

How is the remaining level of risk assessed and what do ratings mean?

Remaining risk is evaluated using a standard risk matrix that combines likelihood and consequence descriptors. Extreme risk means redesign is required (do not proceed), high risk requires consultation with group management, moderate risk requires consultation by less-experienced project managers, and low risk follows standard on-site risk management.

Sep 12, 2026

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