Fall Protection Equipment and Ropes in Tree Care

1. Fall protection is common equipment in the tree care industry. Falls can occur from tree limb breakage, uprooting, equipment failure, and improper use of fall protection.

2. To ensure your tree is sturdy and prevent any uprooting, visually inspect the tree's health. Closely inspect the root collar, tree trunk, and limbs for strength and stability before climbing.

3. Additionally, visually inspect trees for rotting roots, fungus, ivy, kankers, dead branches, animals, or insects

4. Always check PPE before climbing. Inspect climbing lines, worklines, lanyards, harnesses, and other climbing equipment for damage, cuts, and deterioration before use. Remove from service immediately if any defects are found.

5. Prior to starting operations, identify the method of communications.

6. High winds, rain, fog, thunder, lightning, and high heat can affect working conditions. Check the weather for the work day before operations.

7. Identify working areas including drop/fall zones and traffic control. Set up barricades for these areas to prevent struck-by injuries.

8. Have at least one other person nearby when a worker is working more than 12 feet high in a tree or from a ladder. Ground personnel can give direction, spot hazards, and get help in case of an emergency.

9. Check the condition of each tree limb before climbing or tying off safety equipment. Tie only to strong branches, limbs, or tree trunks that will not break off.

10. The tie-in point should be well above the work area in order to prevent a pendulum swing. Using additional anchor points provides greater support, but you must be tied off to at least two anchor points when using a chainsaw.

11. Do not inadvertently cut safety lines or the branch an anchor is tied too. Keep chainsaws and other cutting tools away from all ropes, lanyards, support lines, and harnesses.

12. If using a ladder to access the tree, the arborist should be tied in to gain access to the tree from the ladder and prior to completing any work or leaving the ladder.

13. Climbers should have three points of contact when climbing the tree. Hands and feet should be placed on different limbs whenever possible.

14. All load-bearing components of the climbing system must meet the minimum standards for arborist climbing equipment.

15. Any equipment that lifts or supports personnel, including fall protection equipment, cannot be used for any other purpose.

16. In what other ways can you protect yourself from a potential fall hazard while working from heights in trees?

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