Tree Worker Safety

Chapter 15: Arborists’ Certification Study Guide

Andrew Wimmel
Sam Hill Tree Care
 Special thanks to Daniel Cottier of Preservation Tree
Service for his contributions in making this presentation
Introduction

Working in and around trees can present a significant risk of

personal injury if safety measures are not followed. Safety
must always be the first concern. Safety is more than using
special equipment, wearing appropriate gear, or attending
occasional meetings. Safety is an attitude (ISA, 2010, p. 251).
ANSI Z133
 TCIA 2017 ● 78.5% of all incidents where a
company was identified were
Accident Brief not TCIA members.

Summary ● 43 average age of the victim’s

experiencing the accidents.
● April most dangerous month by
Retrieved from:
incident occurrence.
http://www.tcia.org/TCIA/Public
● December safest month by
ations/TCI_Magazine/Accident_
incident occurrence
Briefs.aspx
TCIA 2017 Accident Briefs
Summary
138 Occupational incidents:

81 fatalities

45 serious injuries

11 minor injuries

1 successful rescue with no reported injuries

Terminology consistent
throughout most safety
regulations:
Approved- means acceptable to the federal, state, provincial,
or local enforcing authority having jurisdiction

Shall- denotes a mandatory requirement

Should- denotes an advisory recommendation

Laws and Regulations
In the United States, private ANSI Z133 is a set of standards for
employers are subject to arboricultural operations published
occupational safety and health rules by the American National Standards
developed under the auspices of the Institute (ANSI):
Occupational Safety and Health Act
(OSHA): ● Pruning
● General Industry ● Repairing
● Hazardous Materials ● Maintaining
● Personal Protective Equipment ● Removing trees/cutting brush
● Medical and First Aid
● etc.
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC
/treecare/hazards.html
It is important for all tree care workers in the United
States to be familiar with and comply with the ANSI
Z133 standards and all applicable OSHA regulations
(ISA, 2010, p. 252).

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/treecare/

https://sites.google.com/view/z133
 Personal Protective Equipment
Tree workers should wear clothing
and footwear appropriate for the
work conditions and weather.
Fabrics should be durable yet allow
for free movement. Loose-fitting
clothing may catch in machinery and
become a hazard and therefore
should be avoided. Jewelry should
not be worn because it may catch in
the equipment (ISA, 2010, p. 252).
From:
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/logging/man
ual/logger/personal_equip.html
● All tree workers must wear head
protection (ANSI Z89.1)
● Eye protection must also be worn
when performing tree work
(ANSI Z87.1)
● Hearing protection is required
for workers who are exposed to
loud equipment for prolonged
periods of time (8-hour time-
weighted average of 85 dB)
● When chain saws are used on the
ground, leg protection must be
worn (chaps or chain saw pants)
Good Communication
What is a Job Briefing?

OSHA 1926.952(b) Subjects to be covered. The briefing shall cover at least the
following subjects: Hazards associated with the job, work procedures involved,
special precautions, energy-source controls, and personal protective equipment
requirements.

OSHA 1910.269(c)(2) Subjects to be covered. The briefing shall cover at least the
following subjects: hazards associated with the job, work procedures involved, special
precautions, energy-source controls, and personal protective equipment
requirements.

ANSI Z133 (2017 revision)

The communication of at least the following subjects for arboricultural operations:
hazards associated with the job, work procedures involved, special precautions,
electrical hazards, job assignments, and personal protective equipment.
When should a job briefing happen?

ANSI Z133 (2017 revision) 3.4.3:

A job briefing shall be performed by the qualified arborist in
charge before the start of each job. The briefing shall be
communicated to all affected workers. An employee working
alone need not conduct a job briefing. However, the employer
shall ensure that the tasks are being performed as if a briefing
were required.
Sam Hill Tree Care Model
Job Briefing

Brief meeting of a tree crew

at the start of every job to
communicate the work plan,
responsibilities and
requirements, and any
potential hazards.
Landing
Area/Drop Zone
Standards

● People and valuable

objects shall be
protected or
excluded
● A visible drop zone
may be designated

Command and
Response
System
ANSI Z133 3.4.4:
A communication protocol shall
be established or reviewed
between arborists aloft and
personnel working on the ground
-STAND CLEAR
-ALL CLEAR!
-new research strongly encourages
a three way communication
system
https://www.nerc.com/pa/Stand/Project%20200702%20Operating
%20Personnel%20Communications/COM-003-
1_White_Paper_May%202012.pdf
General Safety

● Begins with proper training

● Awareness of all applicable safety regulations
● Proper training of all equipment
● Very important for employers to document all training
Emergency Procedures and Readiness
ANSI Z133
3.2.1-3.2.5
 Traffic Control
ANSI Z133 3.5.1-3.5.4:
Traffic and pedestrian control around
the worksite shall be established prior to
the start of all arboricultural
operations…. Should use the necessary
devices that get the road user’s attention
and provide positive direction in
accordance with the Manual on Uniform
Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).
Manual on Uniform Traffic
Control Devices
Electrical Hazards
ANSI Z133 4.1.5:

An inspection shall be made

by a qualified arborist to
determine whether an
electrical hazard exists
before climbing, otherwise
entering, or performing work
in or on a tree.

International Society of Arboriculture, International Society of

Arboriculture, Bugwood.org
When does it exist?

Direct contact- any part of

the body touching an
energized conductor.

Indirect contact- exposure

to electrical current by
touching any electrical
conductor that is in contact
with an energized conductor.