The Body Language of Tree Workers

I think most of us have experienced what you are explaining at one time or another SRTTech.

My advice is do what I and most others did - move on!

Following the pressure of the OSHA ergonomics bill, the committee representing Tree care admitted there were ergonomic improvements to be made, but that the industry could take care of it themselves, rather than be subject to restrictive legislation.

I don't see any initiative that has come from the trade associations since then - but I could be wrong. Seems to me its been swept under the carpet in favour of perpetuating the status quo.

However, we aren't the only ones spreading the ergonomics message. We feel the best way forward is to educate grass roots who are taking the risks themselves. Its up to them to put it into practice. With good arborists becoming harder to find, most companies will probably begin to appreciate the huge benefits of ergonomic work activity, when injuries and accidents decline.

Until then, we help ourselves by only working for pro-active companies or starting one ourselves.

Good luck!
 
SRTTech, You sure have the stinkin' employers pegged. My boss expects me to get to work pain or not. He wants me to be productive-rest can wait until the work is done. The Evil scumbag demands performance all the time.
I'm selfemployed!
 
Nice post Stumper.
I am luckly to have an excelent employer, our entire company (including the sales arbs) do stretches every morning before deiscussing what is to be done for the day. Our bosses even incourage taking 5-10 minute breaks whenever needed. They will even drive water out to us if we are in need. But anyways, don't want to side track the issue...
Has anyone had a specialist watch them work as suggested and gotten tips on what they could do better?? Seams like an excelent idea. I'm thinkin that might be neat to hear what they have to say. Could maybe work out a deal with him or her, prune a tree on their land for free if they will watch you and consult you.
 
Thats exactly what I did 5 years ago Fast.
tongue.gif


The results are what we are trying to share here for free.

This thread and the others on ergonomics/treeflex isn't the opinion of an arborist, but Davina Bavaresco (previously Owen - we ended up getting married : )

You can check her profile here, then re-read our threads/articles to get a good idea of our findings:

http://www.treemettlenexus.com/davina.html

Its still a good idea to get specific advice for your body though - before some mis-alignment gets too developed.
cool.gif
 
Stumper, you`re spot on.

The formative years of a self-employed tree career tend to see ergonomics put on the back burner. Loans for crap chippers still need to be paid off. Its not right, but that`s how it often is. The appreciation of ergonomic work practices, in my experience, coincided with the arrival of tree work that has been priced appropriatley. It takes a while before a tree firm has enough work to be able to confidently charge the right price, reducing the pressure to rush the job.

Incidently, I no longer price jobs myself because I am so woeful (cheap). It is a luxury I appreciate to turn up at a job knowing I can concentrate on the task in hand, instead of trying to work out how much money I`m going to lose before it gets dark.

Ergonomics and safe/effecient work practices start with the quote.
 
[ QUOTE ]

Ergonomics and safe/effecient work practices start with the quote.

[/ QUOTE ]

I concur completely. Lets not forget that I'm self employed. I almost never lose a quote. But then I'm quite astute at the phone stage.

Often I'm surprised that I am cheaper than many competitors. Yet I'm still more profitable and get the job done quicker with more quality. Maybe thats because I'm not seduced into driving rediculously expensive equipment like cranes and Unimogs when there isn't a real demand. Ergonomic techniques are faster for longer, not slower. Its all in the perception - so many think its quicker to bodythrust from the ground, rather than invest time and intelligence with a throwline and SRT. It just appears quicker. I worked as a contract climber to a company a few years ago, and the employer was incensed because I was on the ground when the rest were struggling their arses off halfway up climbs. I installed my line and worked the tree up from the first branch. I had 2 tonnes of timber safely on the ground before they'd tied in. Strategy is the key.

The real issue is too many companies are set up by desperados that are happy to be busy fools, breaking even and getting their equipment and themselves all bust up, often having accidents and forcing more regulation and higher insurance quotes.

I've seen and heard all the excuses, and none are valid to my business beyond a busy day.

Working for wages is a mugs game.

Unfortunately Tree work is full of such people, very limited in business or technical skills and passing themselves off as Arborists with expertise.
 
Laz, my point was that of course its far more effecient to work smart, not hard. And I support your message. I`m just saying it took me a good few years to get to a standard, not only in business terms, but also climbing ability, where you can start to think about more productive methods, instead of concentrating on trying not to kill yourself, let alone anyone you work with. I wish I had worked with a tree company with climbers like yourself, before I set up on my own,without a clue. It would have saved a lot of grief.

By the way, I`m thinking of getting a unimog.
 
Sure nailer, I see where you're coming from, just added a point of view that wasn't aimed in your direction : )

I would've liked to have started out with climbers like the new me too!
tongue.gif
As it was, I had to do it the unnecessarily hard way like most everyone else
grin.gif


Its what all this is about - trying to avoid the blind leading the blind in an ever decreasing circle! Your posts are a help and support - thanks!

Unimogs are a great tool if you have the work - I expect you do, congratulations! I'm not jealous, honest...
grin.gif
 
Hey guys!
I am really ennjoying this dialog!!I like most started out abusing my body with alot of different activities including treework.(24years ago).
We free climbed everything from the ground up with spikes no safties ect .Used old saddles ,old ropes and old saws.We cut and Quartered all wood and hand loaded in the back off trucks.

i decided back then If I ever started my own thing I was going to take "theload" off of my guys bodies.A great way to stem the tide of body breakdown is to train the next generation the smart way!!
There really needs to be a holistic approach that starts at home with nutrition,sleep, stretching .I have been studying Taichi for several years now which is all about Proper body mechanics it has been the only answer to an old bad back ,and really helps balance too!!!
Great topic!! it is really close to my heart!!!
thanks guys
 
Very encouraging post Taitree. Thanks for joining in. I expect you have lots to share with us?

I like your website, especially the philosophy section : ) Gives the clients something to measure you by, making them feel morally armed, should you not live up to your word.

keep up the good work : )
 
Lazarus, please could you just clarify whether or not your earlier post was aimed at me and my work colleagues. I`m particularly interested in your following terms: `desperados`, `busy fools`, `often having accidents` and `very limited in business or technical skills`.

If it wasn`t aimed at me, it was aimed at someone. Lazarus, you have an important message. It would be a shame if the delivery only served to alienate your audience.
 
Sorry Nailer, I thought I'd made myself clear - No, of course I'm not aiming it at you, why would I when you support my point of view
confused.gif


I was adding to the thread on why people feel they struggle to work as they know they should, just because they are competing against desperados.

Unfortunately, adding to a thread means tagging on to the last post, which happened to be yours.

I think its time to shoot myself...
gost.gif
 
No problem Lazarus. Thanks for clearing that up. I hope this hasn`t derailed the thread.

To get back to the point, it would seem that alot of climbers over 30 appreciate the value of `exercise to compensate`, body alignment, solid work posture and muscle flexibility. It is at a certain age when you can see the writing on the wall if corrective steps are not taken to improve technique and strategy.

Your Treeflex harness, with its correct positioning of the back-pad will go a long way to helping with this. You keep at it Lazarus, them young-guns will thank you for it.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
...cranes and Unimogs ...

[/ QUOTE ]


Unimogs???

[/ QUOTE ]

Ha ha Mahk,

It's a small animal, a cross between a pig(hog) and a cat(moggy) but it has one eye.

A Unimog
grin.gif


Those guys are foolin wit ya
 
[ QUOTE ]
You keep at it Lazarus, them young-guns will thank you for it.

[/ QUOTE ]

Nailer, really,

I know you like the Willans but this is getting ridiculous, you really are a throwback to the 1940s!!

kidding!
smirk.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]

I like most started out abusing my body with alot of different activities including treework.

[/ QUOTE ]

What the hell were the other activities?? no, on 2nd thoughts, don't bother telling us.
smirk.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New threads New posts

Back
Top Bottom