Chapter 15: Tree Worker Safety Flashcards
Purpose of standards and/or regulations for safety in tree care operations
reduce occupational injury, illness, and death through the establishment and enforcement of safety standards and regulations and the provision of mandatory education and training
approved
in the context of guidelines, standards, and specifications, that which is acceptable to federal, state, provincial, or local enforcement authorities or is an accepted industry practice
shall
word that designates a mandatory requirement within the ANSI standards or contract documents
should
word that designates an advisory recommendation in the ANSI standards or contract documents
Occupational Safety and Health Act
OSHA; in the United States, the legislative Occupational Safety and Health Act dealing with health and safety in the work place
Occupational Health and Safety Act
OHSA; in Canada, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration dealing with health and safety in the work place
ANSI Z133
in the United States, industry-developed, national consensus standards of practice for tree care; for workers engaged in pruning, repairing, maintaining, or removing trees or cutting brush
Canadian Standards Association
CSA; Canadian not-for-profit association made up of representatives from various industry, association, and governmental groups providing standards documentation and training materials; provides a similar role as the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) in the U.S.
What comprises appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for tree workers?
- ) protective head gear (hard hats or approved helmets)
- ) hearing protection (used whenever operating chain saws and brush chippers)
- ) protective glasses and face shield (face shields offer additional protection to the face but are not a substitute for glasses)
- ) gloves (good grip to prevent climber’s hand from slipping and reduce strain on tendons; not gauntlet-type gloves while chipping brush)
- ) leg chaps (designed to jam and slow cutters of the saw chain if contact is made)
- ) heavy work boots (sturdy to provide good support, good traction, and protection for the feet)
leg protection
type of PPE; any clothing or device to protect the legs from various injuries; chaps or other chain saw -resistant clothing worn over the legs when operating a chain saw
chaps
form of leg protection or PPE worn when operating a chain saw and/or when applying chemicals; made of various materials, depending on use
chain saw pants
trousers designed to protect legs while operating a chainsaw
types of work boots
boots with a deep, square heel to brace the stirrup of the climbing spur if using spurs; steel or polymer shank for arch support; flat soles to facilitate footlocking; some have chain saw protection
job briefing
brief meeting of a tree crew at the start of every job to communicate the work plan, responsibilities and requirements, and any potential hazards; coordinates the activities of every worker and what special PPE may be required
work plan
predetermined, orderly means for job completion
landing zone
predetermined area where cut branches or wood sections will be dropped or lowered from a tree to the ground; drop zone
drop zone
predetermined area where cut branches or wood sections will be dropped or lowered from a tree to the ground; landing zone
command and response system
system of vocal communication used in tree care operations; climber warns “stand clear” and does not proceed until hearing “all clear” acknowledgement
emergency response
predetermined set of procedures by which emergency situations are assessed and handled
aerial rescue
method of bringing an injured worker down from a tree or aerial lift device
first aid
emergency care or treatment of the injuries or illnesses of a person to stabilize his or her condition before medical help is available
cardiopulmonary resuscitation
CPR; procedure used by a trained person to force air into the lungs and to force blood circulation in a person whose heart has stopped beating
secure the work zone
make sure that no individuals or vehicles pass under trees where work is in progress and to ensure the safety of the workers; traffic control usually involved
electrical hazard
exists when there is a risk of injury or death associated with direct or indirect contact with an electrical conductor
electrical conductor
any object, material, or medium through which an electrical current can flow; electric supply lines are designed as electrical conductors, however, guy wires, communication cables, tools equipment, vehicles, humans, animals, and other items can function as electrical conductors; overhead or underground electrical device
direct contact
any part of the body touching an energized conductor or other energized electrical fixture or apparatus
indirect contact
exposure to electrical current by touching any electrical conductor (conductive object) that is in contact with an energized conductor
electric shock
by either direct or indirect contact with an energized conductor, tree limb, tool, equipment or other object, provides a path for the flow of electricity from a conductor to a grounded object or to the ground intself
How close can two chain saw operators be?
10 feet apart; no one should approach an operator from the rear
When must the chain brake be engaged?
if operator takes one hand off or takes more than two steps