A Minimum Industry Standard for utility tree work
This book is one in a series of Minimum Industry Standards produced by Arboriculture Australia Ltd and the New Zealand Arboricultural Association in consultation with the national arboriculture community in both countries. These industry peer-reviewed documents provide a ‘body of knowledge’ which is shared by practitioners and can be used as the basis for training, dissemination of skills and professional development.
This document covers the work tasks of utility tree work around conductors and other assets, including a brief summary of the underpinning knowledge necessary to select and perform suitable pruning operations to achieve a variety of objectives.
MIS314 New Zealand Version (for use in New Zealand)
Utility tree work is a broad term which covers a wide range of tasks. In the context of this standard, the term utility tree work is used specifically to describe all tree pruning and removal work in the vicinity of utility infrastructure.
This document is one in a series of Minimum Industry Standards, which are nationally agreed standards developed by tree workers as descriptions of the skills and knowledge that are required to safely perform tree work tasks. This standard focuses on the role of the tree worker, performing vegetation management tasks such as tree pruning or removal.
This standard does not describe scoping, auditing, setting clearance distances, identifying hazard trees, or other tasks which are required by network authorities. Whilst an overview of vegetation management requirements is provided, management-level considerations are beyond the scope of this standard.
This standard describes tree trimming and removal work performed by a vegetation management worker.
Industry partners
The Minimum Industry Standard series was produced by Arboriculture Australia Ltd and the New Zealand Arboricultural Association in partnership with the following state and national industry bodies. The document bears their logos as a mark of ratification.