I agree with X, and this article posted by Mark Adams. This article can be found on the Buzz, under Articles: Titled Cranes Best Practices in Tree Removal Hoisting a Qualified Arborist. Thought this one might provide some insight and answer some questions.
“Are climbers allowed
to ride the crane to access the tree?” and,
“If the climber can ride the crane, what are
the best ways to do this?”
This article will focus on two things:
First, it will comment on the American
National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards
that guide the arborist industry for
the use of cranes in tree removal and how
those standards relate to the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA);
second, it will discuss the particular issue
of the climber using the crane to access
and/or work in a tree that is being removed.
OSHA or ANSI?
The majority of workplaces in the
United States are covered by the
Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH
Act) of 1970. For many industries there are
specific standards within the OSH Act that
govern workplace practices, procedures
and equipment. For other industries there is
no specific standard within the OSH Act,
but those industries are still required to
abide by what is commonly called the
General Duty Clause. The General Duty
Clause states that each employer must:
“…furnish to each of his employees
employment and a place of employment
which are free from recognized hazards
that are causing or are likely to cause
death or serious physical harm to his
employees.”
The tree care industry is one of the
industries for which there is no specific
OSHA standard. To identify ‘recognized
hazards,’ OSHA will typically look to
industry consensus standards and for the
tree care industry; those consensus standards
are the ANSI Z133.1-2006. Through
this rather circuitous route arborists are
bound to follow the ANSI Z133.1-2006.
State, local or company regulations may be
stricter than ANSI Z133.1-2006 and, if so,
they supersede the ANSI Z133.1-2006. ANSI Z133.1-2006 does allow arborists
to attach themselves to the crane in order to
access the tree. Section 5.7 is titled “Log
Loaders, Knucklebooms, Cranes and
Related Hoists” and addresses the general
use of these pieces of equipment. Section
5.7.9 focuses on using a crane to lift and
position the climber. Section 5.7.9 states:
“A qualified arborist may be hoisted into
position utilizing a crane if the arborist is
tied in with an arborist climbing line and
arborist saddle and secured to a designated
anchor point on the boom or line. The following
procedures shall be followed when
an arborist is to be lifted by a crane…”
The term “qualified arborist” is used
because it specifies that the arborist must
have the experience, skills, knowledge, and
equipment to perform the work. The qualified
arborist must be tied-in with a
climbing line and saddle that meet the
specifications stated in other parts of the
ANSI Z133.1. The tie-in point on the crane
has to be on the crane’s boom or line
(cable). The arborist may not tie-in to the
hook. [image]http://tinypic.com/r/24fbwk0/5[/image] [image]
[/image]
