- Location
- healdsburg, CA
The arborist/tree work field is constantly changing and improving. Of all the trades, I think tree work has changed more in the past 20 years than many other trades.
For example, the ropes used for climbing trees is changing, and improving, almost daily. Even 5 years ago the climbing ropes used were totally different in almost every way from what is used today. The only true resemblance is that they are made of fibers, and hold us from falling out of the tree.
New tree climbing saddles which are radically different from previous ones are introduced every year.
Even the field of knots, which is one of the oldest recorded skills/trades, is applied in new and innovative ways in today's tree work.
Tree workers are aggressive in the pursuit of new and better ways of doing their jobs. Borrowing, stealing and modifying any tool or technique from all other fields imaginable to streamline and make more efficient the difficult job of tree work.
When I think of this, I compare the field of electronics to the tree equipment field.
The two fields have an evolution factor which is similar. For example, a two year old computer or cell phone is darn near a dinosaur. The same applies to a two year old climbing line, or even something so basic as a climbing saddle.
In general, of all the fields which tree work borrows tools, techniques, and ideas from, the rock climbing field is one of the most heavily used.
Some of the fields which tree workers take ideas from include:
Utility pole climbers, window washers, high rise steel workers, industrial safety supply companies, fire departments, high angle rescue, the maritime industry, the aero-space industry, even mining has a few tricks which have been employed by tree workers in their constant pursuit to improve and make their jobs easier.
The sport rock climbing industry is one that has been heavily funded over the years. They can be credited with many of the new innovations which we, in the tree world, take for granted today.
However, there is a downside to all this cross use of tools and techniques.
The downside is that often tree workers will attempt to force a tool or technique from some other field to work for them in some tree work related task.
A few examples of this include, but are not limited to, the tibloc, toothed cams, non-locking 'biners, and high strength static lines.
Some of the disastrous results of using tools from other fields in tree work include:
Suspension trauma, snapped load points, ripped climbing lines, tree workers falling from trees, and tree worker deaths.
Tree work, while similar to other fields, is a unique trade. Tree work encounters situations which no other field encounters. Take for example the use of non-locking 'biners commonly used in the rock climbing industry for personal fall protection.
It has been shown time and time again that while a rock climber can get away with using a non-locking 'biner for primary fall protection, it just is not safe enough at all for tree workers to use as in the same application.
Another example is descent devices. Rock climbers commonly use the 'rack' to descend from heights.
Tree workers more commonly use descent devices which are auto locking. They have a lever which when squeezed, allow the climber to descend.
The difference between the two? On a rack, if you let go, then you fall. A rack has no built in safety feature. So for tree work, you must have a completely separate system in place to ensure you do not fall.
With the Petzl Stop, or the Gri-gri, or the Anthron, all of these employ a feature which will prevent you from falling if you let go of the device.
Just food for thought. Be very careful in what tools you use, and practice 'low and slow' before using the device or system at height.
Frans
For example, the ropes used for climbing trees is changing, and improving, almost daily. Even 5 years ago the climbing ropes used were totally different in almost every way from what is used today. The only true resemblance is that they are made of fibers, and hold us from falling out of the tree.
New tree climbing saddles which are radically different from previous ones are introduced every year.
Even the field of knots, which is one of the oldest recorded skills/trades, is applied in new and innovative ways in today's tree work.
Tree workers are aggressive in the pursuit of new and better ways of doing their jobs. Borrowing, stealing and modifying any tool or technique from all other fields imaginable to streamline and make more efficient the difficult job of tree work.
When I think of this, I compare the field of electronics to the tree equipment field.
The two fields have an evolution factor which is similar. For example, a two year old computer or cell phone is darn near a dinosaur. The same applies to a two year old climbing line, or even something so basic as a climbing saddle.
In general, of all the fields which tree work borrows tools, techniques, and ideas from, the rock climbing field is one of the most heavily used.
Some of the fields which tree workers take ideas from include:
Utility pole climbers, window washers, high rise steel workers, industrial safety supply companies, fire departments, high angle rescue, the maritime industry, the aero-space industry, even mining has a few tricks which have been employed by tree workers in their constant pursuit to improve and make their jobs easier.
The sport rock climbing industry is one that has been heavily funded over the years. They can be credited with many of the new innovations which we, in the tree world, take for granted today.
However, there is a downside to all this cross use of tools and techniques.
The downside is that often tree workers will attempt to force a tool or technique from some other field to work for them in some tree work related task.
A few examples of this include, but are not limited to, the tibloc, toothed cams, non-locking 'biners, and high strength static lines.
Some of the disastrous results of using tools from other fields in tree work include:
Suspension trauma, snapped load points, ripped climbing lines, tree workers falling from trees, and tree worker deaths.
Tree work, while similar to other fields, is a unique trade. Tree work encounters situations which no other field encounters. Take for example the use of non-locking 'biners commonly used in the rock climbing industry for personal fall protection.
It has been shown time and time again that while a rock climber can get away with using a non-locking 'biner for primary fall protection, it just is not safe enough at all for tree workers to use as in the same application.
Another example is descent devices. Rock climbers commonly use the 'rack' to descend from heights.
Tree workers more commonly use descent devices which are auto locking. They have a lever which when squeezed, allow the climber to descend.
The difference between the two? On a rack, if you let go, then you fall. A rack has no built in safety feature. So for tree work, you must have a completely separate system in place to ensure you do not fall.
With the Petzl Stop, or the Gri-gri, or the Anthron, all of these employ a feature which will prevent you from falling if you let go of the device.
Just food for thought. Be very careful in what tools you use, and practice 'low and slow' before using the device or system at height.
Frans
