Crowd control

Re: Crowd control---->coneheads

People are curious by nature. Tape provides a good barrier but unless you put up 8-foot chain link panels, there is always one person who will walk into your work zone. I always try to be polite and smile but convey they are not allowed in the work area. You never know who your next client could be.
 
Re: Crowd control---->coneheads

The effectiveness of Caution Tape must be a regional thing...I buy the tape that reads "Danger! - Keep Out!", and people just lift it up and duck under like it's nothing at all. I now make it SOP on jobs where we need the tape in the first place, that the first few branches get stacked as obstacles right behind the tape at the likely points of ingress. It seems to help.

For crowds in general: One day, while chipping London Plane branches, I noticed that pedestrian traffic was unexpectedly creating its own detour to the far side of the street, quickly figured out it was because we all had dust masks on ... apparently no one wants to expose themselves to some mysterious lung ailment, but getting their skulls crushed from an overhead hazard is not so worrying.

As far as cams go: It is already getting hard to remember that it was once "an event" to take a photo. It actually used to cost money to burn a frame. That's gone. If you were lining up a shot, people would walk behind you so as not to screw it up, because they expected the same courtesy. That too is gone.

As far as a line your groundman can use:

You're brave to risk that lens with all the fine sap in the air.

Northwind
 
Re: Crowd control---->coneheads

I suppose the non-verbal communication (with the use of tools) is the first step; cones, tape, etc...

For those who don't "get the hint" and lurk longer than comfortable, I immediately acknowledge they are there with a polite greeting, but get right back to work. After a moment, it seems to send a message.

If they then ask for a business card, I hide my frustration of being interrupted and go through the motions of giving them a card or listening to their common tree related problem.

I'd pay money for an awesome one-liner as well.
wink.gif
 
Re: Crowd control---->coneheads

How about "This is the second most dangerous job on earth, and you're too close for my comfort. Please move away. Thank you."

Just an idea.
 
Re: Crowd control---->coneheads

Boreality, as you're in Ontario the MTO Book 7 dictates to you what you can and cannot do for crowd control. Barriers on sidewalks and cones to designate a safe zone around the work area and such. You're even obligated to stop the work aloft and escort people through the work zone if there is no other safe passage.

Tough to get the looky lookies out of the way sometimes. Takes lots of patience. In one rare case I've involved the police to escort the homeowner out of the work area while clearing power lines. Does not make for a friendly work environment.

Warning tape may work in some cases but you've always got to do the Book 7 thing to cover your butt. Do the traffic control plan and document it before you start the job just in case some dumb gets into the work zone and gets hurt.

Damn that Due Dilegence thing, takes all the fun out of work.
 
Re: Crowd control---->coneheads

I'm in Saskatchewan but anyway. Rules are good, we don't have any for residential work crowd control and that's good too.

My go to lines have been "It's not like Cirque du Soleil" or "It's a slow moving show, not that exciting to watch." They seem to work but I'd like a bit more of a zinger.
 
Re: Crowd control---->coneheads

its perfectly legal for anyone on public property to video tape anything they see without permission..

A buddy of mine called me up to announce he was working on my turf, doing a crane job.. It was right after I started video taping tree jobs.. I said cool, I'll stop over with the video camera.. He said, I'll only tell you if you promise not to video tape.. Well what's the point of that? Don't worry, I'll find you.. I was there in 20 minutes.. stopped and asked a township road crew where they were doing a crane/tree job..

Pulled the camera out and started shooting.. the min climber , who shall remain nameless, got all up in my face, ordering me to put that camera away.. Who TF do ya think you're talking to? This is public property..
 
Re: Crowd control---->coneheads

There are lots of things that are legal that are still rude. You'd make a good paparazzi. I suppose I could walk up to every girl I felt deserved it and get right in her face and say "nice tits" hey it's legal or how about "is that belly button ring to hang an air freshener on" legal as well technically. And she'd go to court for the kick to the nuts I'd get.
 
Re: Crowd control---->coneheads

"I'm in Saskatchewan but anyway. Rules are good, we don't have any for residential work crowd control and that's good too."

Sorry, for some reason I thought you were in Ontario. Saskatchewan is a lot more lax with the rules than Ontario.
I know your forest management planning guidelines fit into one slim binder, We have 4 thick ones to work through here.

Ontario has got to be one of, or the most regulated provinces in Canada. Seems that all three levels of government are forever coming up with another level of red tape.

Cheers
 
Re: Crowd control---->coneheads

Frax, I think you are on to something. That happens to me every time there are more than 3 people watching. They say something like wouldn't it be easier to just climb up there?
 
Re: Crowd control---->coneheads

You catch more clients with honey than vinegar.......... They are watching you and your attitude; to see if they will have you work for their family and or friends so they can show they video proof that you are competent and safe.
Try having your groundie a bunch of business cards and a clip board so he can take their info when they walk up. after a few minutes chat have him do something for you and say " sorry I'll have him call you when he gets out of the tree." works like a charm.
 
Re: Crowd control---->coneheads

That's our first line of defence. Hand them a card, tell them we'd be happy to help them when we're done here. Hint, hint. Then it's a please step back, then sorry I need to focus on what we're doing. Now we're at strike three or a third warning, time to pull out the sarcasm before stopping work and dealing with the situation effecting production and safety. If they're dumb enough they'll fall for the free icecream line and if they're smart they'll get the hint.

I've only had to pack up once. The client was right on my heels while bucking. He wanted to make sure I cut every branch over 2" into firewood. I was doing just that and had given the 3+ warnings and explanations without him backing off so we had to leave. How do people like that get so rich? Weird world.
 
Re: Crowd control---->coneheads

Good line, Jeff, about calling after he gets out of the tree.

Recently I've seen one of the best signs for keeping people clear. They attatch into the top of a traffic cone and they say, "DROP ZONE."

Nice and simple and understandable for most everyone who reads it.
 
Re: Crowd control---->coneheads

I dress my 320lb groundsman like a giant road cone and have him stand with a smile and point them away. Works eveytime. He is well spoken and polite to everyone he has to speak to. He simply says with a smile "the view from the other side of the street is better and you can see what we are all doing safely."
 
Re: Crowd control---->coneheads

Reading this thread reminded me of a Pine removal we did a few years back. When we showed up to the job, the homeowner had a row of lawn chairs set up on the driveway and a cooler full of beer. His buddies came over and they proceeded to drink beer while watching us work. I really didn't mind, I might have done the same thing. (they were at a safe distance)
 
Re: Crowd control---->coneheads

...Another time we were pruning some large Eucs near a road and sidewalk. We had the entire area taped off and cones blocking walkway in both directions. We even had a flagger on the ground. Needed to remove a large dead limb over walkway. I begin cutting and about 3/4 of the way through a guy on a bike hauls a$$ under the tape and directly under the intended drop zone. Right after he passes, branch comes crashing down. He never even looked back. Crazy idiot didn't know how close he came to being crushed.
 
Re: Crowd control---->coneheads

I really don't think there is a catch all solution, as people will always find a way around your best planned work zone. Someone out there is always too important to pay attention to pylons, caution tape, stops signs, red lights, pedestrians...you get my drift.

One does want to be polite to potential customers, and what goes around comes around so its not always wise to let the words we all have in our heads when some looky loo comes round fly. But, sometimes it happens.

I was on a crew, pruning some elm trees in front of city hall in Calgary, and such an incident occurred. We had tape, signs, barricades and an insolent groundsman. But, it didn't seem to bother the fellow that pulled up and parked right in front of the chip truck in which the fine young insolent groundsman was preparing to advance and process the next pile of branches, and proceeded to duck under our poorly held work fortress to shuffle quickly to the doors of the hall. This was done much to the chagrin of aforementioned insolent groundsman, who proceeded to lose his mind and unleash that torrent of choice words we all want to say but are mostly (blessedly) not insolent enought to do.

Turns out this fellow was the mayor. And, funnily enough, our insolent groundsman was rewarded with an apology and a set of keys to the VW yuppywagon from which the spandex clad public servant emerged in order to move the vehicle from the path of production.

That was one I'll not soon forget. And the lesson is; in the right situations its ok to lose your , people may just check themselves and realize that they made an oopsy that could have cost them property damage or worse. Some folks need a wake up call. A caution; it may also spark a greater conflict, so use only when well warranted!
 
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