Tree Care Company Audit

1. The company has a procedure for hiring, checking references, and providing background checks as applicable pre-hire.

2. The company requires onboarding of employees prior to field work operations commencing.

3. The company performs required training for CPR/1st Aid and electrical hazard awareness as applicable prior to commencing field activities.

4. Employees are tested during the onboarding process to ensure proper understanding of information presented.

5. Onboarding for tree workers is presented over a period of 3-5 days, depending on position and role.

6. Comments

1. Skill assessments are required for all entry level ground personnel.

2. Skill assessments are required for all experienced ground personnel.

3. Skill assessments are required for all apprentice climbers.

4. Skill assessments are required for all journeymen level climbers.

5. Skill assessments are required for all equipment operators.

6. Skill assessments are required for all supervisors/foreman.

7. Skill assessments are required for all safety personnel.

8. All skill assessments are documented, and available for review.

9. Comments

1. The company has a written training program available.

2. The company uses approved/accredited curriculum to provide training to their employees.

3. Training provided to employees is documented and available for review.

4. Training requirements are tracked to ensure compliance with company and regulatory agencies.

5. Employees are trained to perform effective aerial rescue for workers aloft.

6. The company training program is reviewed and updated annually.

7. Comments

1. The company has a program to communicate safety topics to employees (toolboxes/tailboards)

2. The company requires employees to participate in documented job planning prior to starting each work activity (JSA/PTP/Safety Task Assessment)

3. The company requires a documented assessment of trees before climbing or trimming from a bucket.

4. The company has a documented emergency action plan for each crew location.

5. The company has a stop work authority program communicated to all employees.

6. The company has a procedure to set up and break down work zones before and after work activities.

7. The company requires certified flaggers for work adjacent or on public roadways.

8. The company requires each daily work plan to be approved by a foreman or supervisor within the company.

9. The company has a remote worker safety plan.

10. The company ensures that each crew has the appropriate equipment and tools for the job before mobilization.

11. The company has a plan to provide communication to employees working in areas with limited cellular phone service.

12. Comments

1. The company trains employees to prevent fires and wildfires.

2. Employees document efforts to prevent fires and wildfires through daily documentation.

3. Proper tools are in place at each job location to actively prevent and to fight potential fire outbreaks.

4. Employees park vehicles at job sites to allow for quick egress from the location.

5. Comments

1. The company has a membership through TCIA, ISA, or equivalent industry associations.

2. Members of the company have certified arborist credentials.

3. The company safety personnel have CTSP designations through TCIA.

4. Field supervisors have a maximum number of crew members or crews to supervise.

5. The company provides additional supervision for crews when travel from one group to another becomes ineffective.

6. The company provides a site specific safety plan for each new project.

1. The company requires three-way communication when climbing or working from a bucket.

2. Climbing personnel are rotated during hot weather and/or when fatigue becomes an issue in the field.

3. Only qualified and verified climbers are allowed to work aloft with a chainsaw or handsaw.

4. Climbers working within proximity to electrical lines are EHAP trained and QLCA certified through the company.

5. Crew members are provided adequate rigging for work to be performed.

6. Rigging is inspected prior to each use.

7. All rigging has required rating stamped or visible.

8. Employees are trained to stay away from rigging failure points.

9. Personnel performing rigging are trained and verified on the skills prior to working on active job site locations.

10. A system is in place to remove defective or malfunctioning rigging equipment.

11. Comments

1. The company has job descriptions for each job within the company. These descriptions include safety considerations and requirements.

2. Personnel working with cranes during removal or trimming operations have been trained on signaling and crane set up.

3. Crew members operating specialty equipment are certified and skill verified by the company prior to operation.

4. A documented procedure to perform maintenance on chippers is available for personnel performing maintenance operations.

5. Crew members working with chainsaws are certified and skill verified by the company prior to operation.

6. Crew members performing rigging or material hauling are trained to calculate weight of materials.

7. The company has a safety audit and trending program.

8. The company provides environmental training for employees.

9. Comments