0039-22: Tree Climbing and Aerial Rescue

Question 1

5 Steps.

Explain the risk assesment process.

Climbing

Answer 1

1. Identify the hazard
2. Decide who might be harmed and how.
3. Evaluate the risks and decide on precausions
4. Record the fidings and impliment them.
5. Review and update the assesment as necessary

Question 2

Outline emergency
planning relevant to
the working area
(EAP)

Answer 2

Emergency planning relevant to a work site may include:
* site location
* grid reference
* what three words
* designated meeting place
* nearest access point
* street name/district
* type of access (public road/light vehicles, four-wheel
drive)
* suitable helicopter landing area
* phone number of nearest doctors
* location of nearest accident and emergency hospital and phone number
* works manager contact details
* your own contact number/mobile number

Question 3

Outline responsibilities as an operator under the following

• H.A.S.W.A
• L.O.L.E.R
• P.P.E

Answer 3

Outline key points from the legislation listed below:

Health and Safety at Work Act (HASWA):
*correct and appropriate train has been received
* employers responsibility for employees
* employees responsibility for themselves and others such as pedestrians.
* other

Operator’s responsibility under Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) regulations may
include:
* equipment should be subject to a pre use check by the climber
* a recorded interim inspection should be kept for equipment subject to high levels of wear

Operator’s responsibility under the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) regulations may
include:
* carry out equipment maintenance as per manufactures guidance
* correct storage of PPE

Question 4

State key point from
the work at height
regulations

Answer 4

1. can you AVOID working at height in the first place?
2. can you PREVENT the fall from occuring?
3. can you MINIMISE the distance and/or consiquences of a fall?
4. using stepladders or ladders.

Question 5

State industry guide relevant to tree climbing and aerial rescue

Answer 5

Industry guides relevant to Tree climbing and aerial rescue:
* Arboricultural Association AA technical guide 1 Tree climbing and aerial rescue

Question 6

State personal fall protection performance criteria to consider when tree climbing in accordance with AA guide TG1

Answer 6

Personal fall protection performance criteria include:
* the system comprises of a primary system and a backup
* should be attached to independent anchors where possible
* if there is no suitable independent anchor it should be installed over a shared anchor

Question 7

State working considerations in relation to tree climbing

Answer 7

Working considerations in relation to tree climbing may include:
* the climbing ropes must be kept as taut as possible and any slack must not exceed 500mm
* rope or cord used for friction hitches must be of a suitable type
* no potential fall distance exceeds 500mm
* karabiners must have a spring-loaded, self-locking gate that requires at least three distinct movements to open it

Question 8

State the basic legal and environmental factors and how they impact on the work

Answer 8

Legal and environmental considerations could include:
* landowners’ permission
* Tree preservation order
* nesting birds
* bat roosts
* presence of other valuable flora and fauna
* other

Potential impacts:
* stops work from taking place
* delays work from taking place
* restricts work
* other

Question 9

Describe the potential environmental damage that could occur and how to respond appropriately

Answer 9

Potential environmental damage may include:
* damage to retained trees
* wildlife disturbance
* other

Appropriate responses may include:
* work sequence chosen to minimise subsequent damage to retained trees
* wildlife assessments completed prior to work
* other

Question 10

Perform a tree condition assessment of the tree and work at height assessment prior to commencing the work

(VTA)

Answer 10

Potential hazards that may be encountered may include:
* evidence of cavities, decay or decay fungi
* deadwood and broken branches
* dead or flaking bark
* v shaped unions
* cracks
* nesting insects
* the presence of power lines or telephone wires
* targets and obstacles underneath the tree
* other

Question 11

Discuss a working at
height assessment

like a risk assment but at heights what can be done to impove saftey?

Answer 11

Working at height assessment may include:
* can the work be carried out from ground level
* the use of a Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) to prevent a fall
* The use of suitable equipment minimises the distance and consequence of a fall

Question 12

Explain how the species, condition of trees and time of year affect the work

Answer 12

Species, condition of tree and time of year may affect tree
climbing owing to:
* brittle timber characteristics leading to weaker anchor points
* dead, diseased, or dying trees may prevent tree
climbing taking place
* trees in leaf may reduce visibility and effective communication
* winter months may present problems such as windy conditions, wet or icy branches, extremities of cold
* summer months may present problems such as pollens, dusts, irritants
* other

Question 13

Describe how to ensure that access equipment and systems are in safe working order

Answer 13

To ensure access, tree climbing equipment and systems are
safe to use operators must ensure:
* pre-use check of equipment system undertaken
* on-going equipment system checks during climbing
* ongoing maintenance
* other

Question 14

Inspect all access/tree climbing equipment to ensure it is safe and fit for use under manufacturer’s instructions and relevant legislation

what equipment and how

Answer 14

Harness check
- How many carrabinas
- any wear

Rope check
- any wear

Carabiner
- Click check
- burring

Prussic
- Any wear

Question 15

State why it is important to read and understand manufactures information

Answer 15

The importance of reading and understanding manufactures
information is:
* correct equipment application
* how to correctly configure equipment
* compatibility of equipment with other components
* maintenance requirements
* inspection

Question 16

State different methods used to safely access a tree

Answer 16

Different methods that may be used to access a tree can include:
* moving rope technique
* stationary rope technique
* ladders
* spikes/climbing irons
* Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP)
* other

Question 17

State the difference between a personal fall protection anchor and a positioning anchor

Answer 17

The difference between a personal fall protection anchor
and a positioning anchor may be:

Personal fall protection anchor:
* An unquestionably reliable anchor point that supports the
full potential load of a climber and equipment

Positioning anchor:
* An anchor that is used to aid the climber with positioning
and prevent a pendulum swing

Question 18

Select access and tree climbing equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE)

Name the PEE and Equipemnt you will use.

Answer 18

Candidate to select compliant PPE and safety clothing for tree climbing to include:
* tree climbing helmet
* personal first aid kit/whistle
* knife with retractable blade or handsaw
* foot protection with good grip and ankle support
* non- snag clothing
* eye protection

Candidate to select appropriate compliant climbing equipment for tree climbing to include:
* harness
* ropes/ lanyards of suitable diameter, length and strength for the climbing lines and for the friction hitches
* minimum of triple action auto-locking karabiners for main attachments

Question 19

Use access and positioning methods appropriate to the tree

Answer 19

All anchor points selected taking into consideration:
* size, strength and structure
* position in relation to the parts of the tree to be accessed
* use of equipment to minimise damage to the tree if appropriate

Candidate establishes their initial anchor points taking into account:
* suitability of the techniques used
* accurate installation of equipment
* organisation of ropes
* safety and position of the anchor points
* testing of the anchor points by thorough loading prior to ascent

Technique used takes into account:
* efficient use of technique chosen
* candidate is attached to the tree at all times in accordance with industry good practice
* appropriate selection of anchor points
* appropriate route taken up the tree
* correct use of systems when changing anchor points
* thorough load testing of new anchor points
* risk of a fall is managed at all times
* correct use of equipment

Question 20

Use appropriate positioning techniques within the crown

Answer 20

Candidate to access two points within the crown taking into
account:
* appropriate route
* slack within systems is no more than 500mm
* ropes should be kept in as straight a line as possible to the anchor points
* balance and control maintained
* efficient rope organisation
* controlled movement back into the stem

Question 21

How to Descend a tree in a controlled manner and remove equipment appropriately

Think simple…

Answer 21

Descent from trees takes account of:
* rope length
* speed of descent
* not colliding with obstructions
* safe landing
* controlled removal of equipment

Question 22

Describe when aerial rescue by climbing would not be appropriate

Answer 22

Aerial rescue by climbing may not be appropriate owing to:
* dangerous tree structure
* additional site hazards such as power-lines present
* when additional risk to casualty/rescuer would be incurred
* other

Question 23

Explain the key elements of a rescue plan prior to starting work

Answer 23

Key elements of a rescue plan prior to starting work may
include:
* completing the emergency procedures as part of a site risk assessment
* making sure all equipment required for rescue is available
* identifying a competent and designated rescuer
* installation of a rescue line
* first aid equipment is available
* other

Question 24

Prepare a rescue plan

Answer 24

Preparing a rescue plan may include:
* emergency procedures as part of the site-specific risk assessment have been comprehensively and accurately completed
* equipment required and competent individuals are available
* competent and designated aerial rescuer and or emergency co-ordinator have been identified and nominated in that role
* first aid equipment is available including tourniquet and haemostatic gauze/cloth
* access route into the tree has been determined
* method of access has been agreed upon
* anchor points have been identified and where practicable pre-installed

Question 25

Describe different rescue methods

Answer 25

Different rescue methods may include:
* two-person rescue (pole)
* three-person rescue (belay)
* Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWP)
* SRT
* other

Question 26

Carry out a crown rescue

Answer 26

Candidate to undertake crown rescue using a suitable technique.
Rescue technique is observed taking into account:
* tree accessed and suitable anchor points attained
* rescuer reaches the casualty
* area around casualty is made safe
* rescuer attaches the casualty to the rescuers harness with a direct attachment and attaches a chest strop if required
* rescuer reassures the casualty at all times
* rescue is conducted with the use of two independent load bearing systems
* controlled descent
* casualty is guided past branches if applicable
* correct use of equipment
* efficiency of the rescue

Question 27

Carry out a pole rescue

Answer 27

Candidate to undertake a rescue from a ‘pole’ (standing stem) using climbing irons
The rescue method is observed taking into account:
* pole accessed and suitable false anchor point installed
* rescuer secures the casualty to the rescue system
* rescuer attaches the casualty to the rescuers harness with a direct attachment, if required
* rescuer reassures the casualty at all times
* rescuer makes use of help from the casualty where appropriate
* rescuer detaches the casualty from the pole, if
applicable
* in the event of a belay rescue, casualty descent is controlled by ground person under the direction of the rescuer using an appropriate fail - safe method
* controlled descent
* correct use of equipment
* efficiency of the rescue

Question 28

Explain how to report the incident in line with organisational requirements

Answer 28

Reporting of the incident in line with an organisation’s requirements may include:
* report to supervisor
* record incident details as appropriate
* when applicable report to HSE via RIDDOR

Question 29

Explain the importance of inspecting equipment following aerial rescue

Answer 29

mportance of inspecting equipment may include:
* to establish if it contributed to the accident
* ensuring it is still safe to operate
* check for contamination
* quarantine equipment
* other

Question 30

Communicate appropriately with ground staff

Answer 30

Communication between climber and ground staff
maintained when appropriate.

Question 31

Used appropriate equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE)

Answer 31

All tools, equipment and personal protective equipment is used in line with industry good practice

Question 32

Carried out work to minimise environmental damage

Answer 32

It is ensured that any possible environmental damage is minimised at all times.

Question 33

Worked in a way which maintains health and safety and is consistent with relevant legislation and industry good practice

Answer 33

All activities must be completed in a way which protects the operator and those around them