Safetree Certification and the New ACOP: What Principals and Forest Owners Need to Know
Safetree Certification is now formally referenced within the updated Approved Code of Practice (ACOP), reinforcing its role in promoting safe and capable forestry operations.
During the ACOP’s development, the industry strongly advocated for mandatory certification—both for contractors and for critical safety roles such as tree falling and breaking out. While current legislation did not allow for mandatory implementation, Safetree Certification is now explicitly cited throughout the ACOP as a best-practice benchmark.
Key references include:
Section 4.1.9 – Choosing a Capable Contractor
Principals are advised to consider whether contractors hold relevant industry certifications, such as Safetree Certification.
Section 11.2 – Verifying Worker Training
Safetree Certification is again highlighted as an example of appropriate training verification.
Section 22.7.3 – Safe Breaking Out
Certification for breaker-outs is referenced as a factor that should be considered when assessing competence and safety.
What This Means for You As a Principal or PCBU—whether a large forest owner or a smaller operator—you have a responsibility to engage competent, safety-conscious contractors. While certification is not mandatory, the ACOP makes it clear that choosing certified contractors and certified tree fallers/breaker-outs is a proactive way to:
Strengthen your due diligence
Demonstrate commitment to industry best practice
Mitigate operational and legal risk
Support a safer, more professional workforce
Next Steps
Now is the time to educate your teams and procurement processes. When engaging contractors, ask about Safetree Certification—not just for the business, but for individual workers in critical roles. Doing so helps protect your people, your business, and the wider industry. FICA will work proactively with Worksafe to push this message.
