Tree Within My MAD

chris_girard

chris_girard

Branched out member
Location
Gilmanton, N.H.
I’m bidding a job to remove 5 medium sized spruce trees. One of them is adjacent to a utility pole and is approx. 7’away from it, but with the cross arm, it is only 3.5’ away from the lines. The utility company has pruned the 10’ vertical for the power, but the telephone and cable are still too close.

The whole tree is actually within my MAD (Minimum Approach Distance) of 10’-0”. I am a QLCA and can work within 2’-5” of the voltage on this pole, IF I were contracted by the utility company to remove this tree. Since I’m bidding on private work, I need to follow the guidelines of the 10’-0” rule.

It’s kind of a catch-22 I think. I know that I can safely remove the tree, but to do so will violate my MAD. The utility company will not come out to clear anymore and the phone line is actually touching the branches in the tree. We won’t even talk about the service drop, which also has branches on it.

What do you guys think?
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You need to get your EHAP Cert through your own company. Are you a QLCA from working for someone else? Here in Providence, we can work inside of 10' because we received EHAP training through the City (still waiting for the cards). Am I correct that this is the scenario with you?

-Tom
 
I still can't find a clear definition of what it means to be a "qualified line clearance trimmer" usually it mentions "through training and experience."

Our bottom line is that with ehap and in house training we'll work in and among drop lines and telecom lines. However we will not put a body within 10 feet of a primary line regardless of voltage.

We'll also pass on jobs if working over a primary is required or if limbs above have a reasonable likelihood of dropping down onto the primaries.

Sometimes if the tree has been pruned as you described by the transmission line people and we have a means of pulling it away from the wires without getting a body or tools getting within the MAD we'll do that.

But I have a healthy respect for HV lines and have no need or desire to get close to them.
 
There is no clear definition outside the auspices of a particular company.

You know how to do the job safely, the utility company won't do it... I'd do it and charge accordingly. Depends on how flexible your relationship with the law is. I'm kinda flexible.
 
I work for a utility company. System protection. I know exactly what primary transmission and distribution lines are capable of. You are allowed only 1 mistake when working around them. Don't attempt it.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Tom, I own my company and have received my EHAP training through my business, so in a sense I'm a QLCA through my own company.

[/ QUOTE ]

I was told that after our EHAP/CPR/FA training, our MAD is now 2' 5", but only when working for the City (the employer that put us through the training). This was told to me by both the EHAP trainer and the Arborist for the utility.

-Tom
 
[ QUOTE ]
Our bottom line is that with ehap and in house training we'll work in and among drop lines and telecom lines. However we will not put a body within 10 feet of a primary line regardless of voltage.

We'll also pass on jobs if working over a primary is required or if limbs above have a reasonable likelihood of dropping down onto the primaries.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is also the way I look at it. I'm more worried about the likelihood of the proposed work putting material in proximity to lines than about the 10' rule. Plenty of times you can get within that 10' and know that the situation is safe, plenty of times you could be far outside of the 10' radius but find yourself in an unsafe situation, especially working above primaries.

I've done the EHAP training, but I work in very close proximity to telecom/service drop/fiber optic lines on a regular basis. I can't imagine how you would avoid it in some neighborhoods.
 
My question is regarding that you are a QLCA and can't use that knowlege, experience, and designation wherever you may be working. If you have done what you needed to do and are following proper procedure, who is the utility company to say that you can't do it if it is on private property, and is a privately owned tree?

Z133 section 4 doesn't say anything about where you can use your training and experience. It does mention if you can't maintain the MAD you "shall advise" the utility company to work out a hazard abatement plan. We've never had an issue with SoCal Edison on our QLCAs being able to do private work near their lines, or any phone or cable utilities.

You have the knowledge and experience to use the proper methods and techniques to do it safely, and you have satisfied the requirements to become QLCA. Why is it the utilitiy's business if you are being contracted by a private property owner about one of their own trees?

Are there some special NH laws I'm not aware of?

Tom: Do you mean that if you are QLCA and doing private work that your designation is no longer valid on private property? Only if you work for the city? Sorry if I don't understand.

Sorry if I misread the post. If I'm missing something please let me know.
 
Duke Energy will take outt stuff that's OVER their lines but still clear for no charge... same reason as Humper. If it's a bucket job or big and hairy that's what I do since I don't have a bucket, other wise I just do it real careful like.

I've done EHAP but I'm not a QCLA. My understanding is, EHAP trains you to use the closer MAD table but utilities consider it trespassing unless you're a QCLA working for a utility contractor.
 
Blink: tresspass, huh? OK. I guess I see it. Another layer of safeguard.

We've called SoCal Edison out a few times to de-energize while we remove the overhanging branches. Most of the time they want us to do it ourselves because we have guys that are EHAP/QLCA. They will come out and remove the branches resting on lines.

They DO appreciate that we call them, and that our guys are EHAP/QLCA. They know they won't have to come out after-the-fact and clean up a mess. But, no one has ever told me that we can't do it because it is a privately owned tree on private property.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Just Climb It or leave it to someone who can!

[/ QUOTE ]

It's not an issue of whether I can climb it or not, it's about climbing within regulations.

As a Certified Arborist and CTSP I have an obligation to follow proper prodedures to keep myself and my crew members safe.

I hope you're just kidding with your comment right? I know enough people that give others a reason to call our State Cow Hampshire. I hope that you're not one of them.
 
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