Climbing out of a bucket

arborpatrol

arborpatrol

Location
Rochester, NY
Are there any OSHA or ANSI standards about climbing out of a bucket? Someone told me today that they learned in a "safety class" that OSHA prohibits it. I couldn't think of how climbing out of a bucket would pose any additional safety concerns.

Thanks,

Josh
 
This has been discussed at the Z133 meetings.

The consensus is that in order to comply a climber would put on their tree climbing harness then the fall arrest harness over the top along with the lanyard. Then, when you get into position to work in the tree, set your rope/climbing system in the tree. Tie into your tree harness, test the setup and take the tension out of the line. Then, and only then, take off the fall arrest system.

As you move up out of the bucket you must take out the slack in your system and get into the tree.

This is not meant to be an 'approved' system. that would depend on too many variables, especially the rules setup by your employer.

Stay posted, someone may be able to site chapter and verse.
 
I think awhile back Mark C did something like that. I do mean aaaaaaaaaa while ago probably have to post back about a year or so I think. I was wondering the same thing for possible long and tricky trees.
 
I wear my butterfly saddle as a saftey harness when working out of the bucket so no changeover is necessary. I'm also always tied to the boom with a full length climbing rope so getting out of the bucket and going rope climbing is quick and easy.
 
Treeco, do you have suspenders with a dorsal attachment for fall arrest? I love my B-fly, but it's for work positioning, not fall arrest. Just bought an Ergo w/suspenders for that application!

-Tom
 
Nope. Just the Butterfly. I keep my friction hitch tight as I move around in the bucket so there is little or very little fall involved.
 
Good answer. I have used a saddle for this before, but without the friction hitch. I like that idea in the absence of a harness.

I don't have the Z in front of me... Is a bodybelt still accepted for fall arrest? For some reason I think it is.

-Tom
 
So Tom, do you know if a plain old bodybelt is still accepted for fall arrest? The times I have used a saddle in the past were for lack of a belt/harness... Definitely better than nothing!

-Tom
 
Do NOT quote me...I think that a waist belt is OK..but why would you ever choose to use one in lieu of a full body harness. I'm not sure what the official line on this is though.
 
I didn't suggest that anyone would choose a belt over a body harness, I was just asking if it was still acceptable practice in the Z, which apparently it is:

"Aerial devices shall be provided with an approved point of attachment on which to secure a full body harness with an energy-absorbing lanyard or body belt and lanyard, which shall be worn when aloft."

The question came up in a conversation with an associate yesterday, and neither of us knew for sure if the belt was still OK.

-Tom
 
According to the Z...but what does OSHA say?

This is a place where I would prefer to follow OSHA just in case there is a jurisdictional issue.

Since I'm not a bucketeer I could never follow the logic of using a body belt during the discussions at the Z.
 
AND SEVERAL others, even one built for use in Canada where our standard for that issues is HIGHER!

HERE all Fall Arrest MUST be permanantly attached, so the ergovation would be useless as a dual purpose harness!
 
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