514 EM 385-1-1 Chapters 30-37

Sections

31-8. General Requirements.

Elevating Aerial Work Platforms (AWPs)

AWPs must have fall protection anchors that meet ANSI/SAIA A92.2 standards to attach personal fall protection systems.
Occupants must use personal fall protection systems while aloft, with the option to use a climber’s belt and lanyard for transferring from the AWP to a tree.
Refer to chapter 21 for additional fall protection requirements.

Tree Climbing

Climbers must not work alone and must have a secondary climber available for potential rescue.
Climbing techniques must be identified in the Tree Maintenance and Removal Plan, avoiding rope access unless necessary.
Climbers must tie-off at two points while working, use three-point contact climbing if possible, and always have a climbing line and one other security means while climbing.

Climbing Safety and Technique

Climbers must tie a stopper knot in the climbing line for heights greater than half the line’s length and re-tie or use a safety strap when re-crocheting the line.
Tools must not be carried by hand while climbing; instead, use a line to raise and lower them and carry a hand saw in a scabbard attached to the climbing saddle.
Refrain from climbing dead or dying trees unless necessary, avoid climbing with spurs for pruning, and select gaff lengths suitable for the tree bark thickness.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

31-6. During tree maintenance and disposal operations, the Tree Maintenance and Removal Plan must identify _____.

climbing techniques

types of PPE

signs of heat and cold stress

requirements for working alone

You forgot to answer the question!

EM 385-1-1 Paragraph 31-8 (d.–e.).

31-8. General Requirements. (d.–e.).

d.  Elevating Aerial Work Platforms (AWPs).  Provide AWPs with fall protection anchor(s) meeting design requirements of ANSI/SAIA A92.2 to secure approved personal fall protection system(s) (for example, full body harness with an energy- absorbing lanyard). All occupants of the AWP must utilize personal fall protection systems whenever aloft.  (31-8.d)

(1)  The AWP occupants may use a climber’s belt and lanyard in place of a full body harness to transfer from the AWP to the tree.  The employee must be secured to the tree prior to removing the lanyard attached to the basket.  Do not perform any work while secured to both the tree and the basket.

(2)  Refer to chapter 21 for additional fall protection requirements.

e.  Tree Climbing.  (31-8.e)

(1)  When tree climbing is performed, persons must not work alone.  A secondary climber, who could assist in rescue, if necessary, must be immediately available.

(2)  Tree Climbing Techniques.  Climbers may apply a variety of climbing techniques. Identify climbing techniques to be used in the Tree Maintenance and Removal Plan according to paragraph 31-7.

(3)  Do not use rope access unless other means of accessing the tree or undertaking the work, such as aerial devices or pole saws, are not practical.  See chapter 23 for rope access requirements.

(4)  Climbers must not ascend above their tie-in point.  Locate tie-in points well above the climber to prevent an uncontrolled pendulum swing in the event of a slip.

(5)  Climbers must tie-off at two points while working or using a chainsaw.  This includes attaching the primary support with the access line or climbing line and the secondary support with a second climbing line or the flip line/lanyard/buck strap.

(a)  Climbers may ascend or descend solely by the access line by using approved single rope techniques.

(b)  Once the climber is at the tie-in point, they must install a secure climbing system.

(6)  Use of the three-point contact climbing is recommended, if possible.  Climbers may use ground personnel to help them up the tree.

(7)  Climbers must have a climbing line and at least one other means of being secured on their person at all times (for example, climbing line and a work positioning lanyard).

(a)  Climbers must be tied in with an approved type of climbing line and safety saddle while ascending the tree, including when using climbing spurs or gaffs.

(b)  Climbers must be tied in once the work begins and remain tied in until the work is completed and they have returned to the ground.

(d)  Climbers may not perform work while standing on a ladder unless they are properly tied in or secured.

(e)  Safety, secondary, belay or back-up line(s) must not be used alone for tree climbing. The use of a secondary line (safety line) may pose additional risks and increased difficulties. Careful consideration to the impact of secondary line use should be considered before making a decision on use in tree climbing operations.

(8)  To prevent any binding of the safety line, locate the climbing line as high above the ground as possible and pass it around the trunk of the tree using branches with a wide crotch. The selected crotch should be located as close as possible to
    directly above the work area and in such a way that a slip or fall would swing the climber away from any electrical conductor.  Pass the line around the main leader or an upright branch, using the limb as a stop.  Keep feet, hands, and ropes out of tight V-shaped crotches.

Note. Exception: Palms and other trees with similar growth characteristics that will not allow a climbing line to move freely.

(9)  Climbers must tie a stopper knot (for example, figure-eight knot) in the end of the line to prevent accidentally pulling the climbing line through the climbing hitch and possibly falling.  The stopper knot is critical when climbers work at heights greater than half the length of the climbing line.

(10) If it is necessary to re-crotch the climbing line in the tree, the climbers must re-tie in or use the safety strap before releasing the previous tie.

(11) Climbers working from a stem or spar without a suitable natural crotch must select tie-in points or a tie-in method that positively prevents the climbing line from sliding down, up, or off the stem.

(12) Do not place a climbing line around a stem in an area without a lateral limb unless the climbing line is cinched or choked around the stem or runs through a double- wrapped or adjustable false crotch that is also is secured or cinched around the stem.

(13) The selected tie-in point must be able to withstand the forces being applied during pruning and removal operations.

(14) Climbers must not carry tools in their hands while climbing, except during topping or removing operations.  Use a line to raise and lower chainsaws and tools one at a time.

(15) Climbers must carry a hand saw.  When carried aloft, secure the hand saw in a scabbard attached to the climbing saddle.

(16) Do not climb dead or dying trees unless there are no safer and more feasible alternatives to removing the trees.  Do not use dead branches to support weight.  If possible, break off dead branches on the way up while placing hands and feet on separate limbs.

(17) Do not climb live trees with spurs when pruning or otherwise maintaining them unless done according to ANSI/TCIA A300 tree care management standards.

(18) Gaff lengths must be suitable for the tree being climbed.  For thick bark trees use spurs with longer gaffs, such as 2¾ inches (7 cm).  Gaff lengths of 1¾ inches (4.4 cm) are intended only for pole climbing.

(19) Whenever possible, remove debris and other objects from beneath the climber.