This document provides an overview of tree work safety techniques and methods. It discusses proper personal protective equipment, climbing techniques, tree inspection and assessment, chainsaw use, rigging, aerial rescue procedures, and lowering materials from heights. Safety standards and best practices are outlined for tasks like pruning, removal, chipping, and rigging loads.

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2. • Become Familiar with
ISA methods of
general tree work as
well as safety
techniques and
recommendations.
• Presented by Will
Branch and Ryan
Russell –
University of Missouri
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3. General Safety
Climbing
Techniques
General Methods
of Tree Work

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5. • Reading standards
Approved- Means acceptable to the federal, state,
provincial, or local enforcing authority having
jurisdiction.
Shall- Denotes a mandatory requirement.
Should- Denotes an advisory recommendation.
• Who writes standards and regulations?
ANSI- American National Standards Institute
OSHA- Occupational Safety and Health Act
OHSA- Occupational Health and Safety Act
CSA- Canadian Standards Association
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6. • Head protection
• Eye protection
• Chainsaw pants or
chaps
• Boots
• Gloves
• Dressing appropriately
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7. • Work plan and job briefing
• discussing the work to be
completed
• assigning specific tasks
• identifying jobsite hazards
• using appropriate techniques
and PPE to safely complete
the job
• Communication between
climbers and ground
workers / coworkers
• command and response
• hand signals
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8. • Proper training in • Job site necessities
• Required job tasks • First aid kit
• Job site equipment • Fire extinguisher
• Emergency response • Signs
procedures • Barriers
• Ariel rescue • Cones
• First aid and CPR • Caution tape
• High visibility clothing
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9. • Electrical conductor is defined as any
overhead or underground electrical
device, including communication wires
and cables, power lines, and related
components and facilities.
• Direct contact is made when any part
of the body contacts an energized
conductor or other energized electrical
fixture or apparatus.
• Indirect contact is made when any
part of the body touches any
conductive object in contact with an
energized conductor.
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10. • Required PPE
• Operation of chainsaw
• Reactive forces
• Climbing with
chainsaw
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11. • Investigation of tree
and surroundings
• Retreat path (escape
route)
• Felling notches
• Use of wedges and
pull ropes
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12. • Operators must be properly
trained in the inspection,
maintenance, towing and
operation of their chipper.
• Required PPE, Approved
hardhat, safety glasses, and
hearing protection.
• Loose clothing, jewelry,
harnesses, and gauntlet
style gloves must not be
worn.
• Brush should be fed butt first
from the side of the chute.
• No part of the operators
body should ever reach past
the back edge of the feed
chute.
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14. • All PPE must be • Requirements of
approved for use in tree climbing gear.
care. • Rope snaps must be auto
• All PPE, climbing gear, locking and compatible
with a D-ring attachment.
rigging gear, tools, etc.
should be checked for • Carabiners must be
double auto locking and
damage or excessive have a m.b.s. of 5,000
wear regularly. pounds(23kN)
• All climbing gear must • Climbing lines must be
meet minimum strength made from a synthetic
requirements and be fiber, have a m.b.s. of
5400 pounds(24kN) and
approved for use in tree must not elongate more
care. than 7 percent under a
load of 540 pounds.
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15. • The working end is the end • Common climbing and
of the line that is in use. rigging knots
• The running end is the end • Tautline Hitch
of the line that is not in use. • Blake’s Hitch
• The standing part is the line • Figure-8
between the working end • Girth Hitch
and the running end. • Bowline/ Running Bowline
• A hitch is used to secure a • Midline Clove Hitch/ Endline
rope to an object. • Slip Knot
• A bend is used to secure • Sheet Bend
rope to rope. • Double Fisherman's Bend
• A friction hitch is designed to • Prusik Hitch
be easily moved along a line • Cow Hitch
but tighten down under a • Timber Hitch
load. • Half Hitch and Running
Bowline
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16. • Things to look for
• Electrical hazards
• Broken, week, or dead
branches
• Animals or insects
• Fruiting bodies The following are defects or signs of possible defects in urban
trees (see figure): above.
• Root flair 1. regrowth from topping, line clearance, or other pruning
2. electrical line adjacent to tree
3. broken or partially attached branch
4. open cavity in trunk or branch
5. dead or dying branches
6. branches arising from a single point on the trunk
7. decay and rot present in old wounds
8. recent change in grade or soil level, or other construction
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17. • Accessing the tree
• Setting a line using a
throwline
• Climbing with spurs
• Body thrusting
• Secured footlocking
• Use of micro pulley and
prusik hitch
• S.R.T.
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18. • Choosing a tie in point • Choosing a climbing
• Select a union that is system
wide enough for a rope • Closed system
to pass through easily. (anchoring knot and
• Generally the main hitch tied with rope tail)
branch should be at • Open system (using
least 4 inches in carabiners, split tail and
diameter. tending pulley)
• Use of a friction saving
device is
recommended.
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20. • Assessing the
situation
• Calling for help
• Electrical accidents
• Reaching the victim
• Checking the victim
• Rescue kits
• Access line
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21. • Different rope types and designs
• 3 strand
• 12- strand solid
• 12- strand hollow
• 16- strand
• 24- strand
• Kernmantle
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22. • Tensile strength
• Cycles to failure
• Working load limit
(WLL)
• Design factor
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23. • Arborist blocks
• Rescue pulleys
• Rope and webbing
slings
• Lowering devices
• Connecting links
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24. • Attachment knots
• Clove Hitch
• Running Bowline
• Piece orientation
• Butt tying
• Tip tying
• Balancing
• Butt hitching
• Cutting the piece
• Drop cut
• Snap cut
• Hinging cut
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