Protocols for wearing spikes

Tom Dunlap

Tom Dunlap

Here from the beginning
Administrator
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Retired in Minneapolis
What guidelines or protocols are in place for wearing climbing spikes while on the ground?

I've heard some that fall on both extremes...on one end, the climber walks to the base of the tree and puts them on before ascending with no walking around permitted. The other extreme is to allow only one step after touching the ground.

As far as I know there is no ANSI Z133 reg but there might be a reg from a related industry.

Walking around with spikes can lead to accidents but I am wondering about finding a balance of the risk.
 
When I'm in a yard and have a heap of palms to do I walk around from palm to palm, no worries, and I dont charge extra for the lawn aeration /forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I wouldn't go to the mall with them on though, might get done for possessing a dangerous weapon. /forum/images/graemlins/blush.gif
 
Depends on the terrain and the distance, if it's rough, rocky, tall grass etc. I'll carry them to the tree and never walk with them on when the guards are off.
 
Yes , with the guards on I'll sometimes walk a few feet from the gearpile to the tree then the guards come off after I get a flipline around the tree (usually).

Tom, are you considering this more of a trip hazard or is the concern more about spiking ones own feet? I'd like to hear some stories about either instance.
 
I put them on on the back of the truck and walk to the tree bowlegged. If I'm coming down for a break I'll leave them on. If I'm done on top they're the first things that come off once I hit the ground; ususally with much relief. Short gaffs never touch the ground. I'm a bit more careful with long gaffs. Guards stay in the truck so I don't have to buy 10 pr. per year.
Phil
 
I too will put them on at the truck and walk to the tree. I use the Gecko's so the spike never touches the ground or cement.
But just yesterday a first time spike wearer did as I do and tripped on some vines going to the tree and spiked himself in the leg. Nothing serious though.
 
This is a true story...
Driving home from Nashville last year, my family stopped
in An Arby's for a roast beef sandwich, there was a fella still wearing his inside the restaurant during his lunch break.
I put mine on at the base of the tree and do the same when taking them off.
 
Tripping is a concern of course.

My motivation for starting the thread is from an accident. A climber was walking and took a mis-step which lead to a gaff puncture in the top of his foot. he got lucky and only scraped a bone and the wound.

I'd like to have some guidelines or standards of operation to implement. Of course, having regulations that are knife-edged are the easiest to follow but sometimes not practical or necessary. The larger the labor pool the tighter the rules seem to be needed.
 
I had an accident that made me take off the spurs right out a tree. I had one time a treetop that wouldnt flip over. Put a line in and got down to pull with a mate. With the spurs on i punctured his anckle :(

so now i put them on just before i enter the tree and right off out the tree. Only when multiple trees to spur into i walk straight between them but no others things.
 
i have always worn pole spikes except on very thick bark trees. but for the past 2 years or so i leave them on the ground and do the whole removal w/o them until i get down to a stick.
 
The utilities have a rule about this but they ignore it for the most part until an accident occurs and then they are quick to point out you shouldn't be walking around with your climbers strapped on.
The new catch phrase is "you're responsible".
 
i will wear themm tree to tree and to the truck for water any normal breaks or lunch i take em off, although i have a few guys who wear them all day, i just, hate dulling them out, i try to roll my feet out a bit, but if theres vines or rough terrain off they come.
a friend of mine jumped off the first story roof with his on and stabbed his toe severing a tendon, and losing a soccer scholarship to boot. he had a moron moment....he ran out of rope on a palm decent and cleaned off the clients roof, and just hopped off, i sometimes wonder about him.
hopefully later in life he doesnt do something to earn the darwin award.
 
I look like a nancy boy when I'm walking in mine, except in a field. I don't care, I like my longshanks with an edge.
 
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