10001124Fundamentals of Aerial Tree Work
Course Information
Description
Introduction to the basic safety requirements, equipment, and techniques employed by arborists who work aloft. Topics include applied rope-and-saddle and aerial lift usage, electrical hazard recognition, and common knots used in the industry.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
  1. Display safe working procedures as listed in ANSI Z133.1 Safety Standards/Tree Care Operations
    Assessment Strategies
    Skill demonstration in the field
    Criteria
    Wear hiking or work boots, long pants (not ripped) and t-shirt
    Wear safety glasses Z87 compliant
    Identify unsafe working conditions and warn others
    Follow all mandatory safety standards listed in ANSI -Z133.1
    You violate no more than three serious regulations (ANSI “shall” guidelines)
    You violate no more than ten minor regulations (ANSI “should” guidelines)
    You violate no more than zero intentional violations (ANSI “a deliberate act without regard to the safety of self or others”)

  2. Ascend a tree using a rope
    Assessment Strategies
    Skill demonstration in the field
    Criteria
    You use the body thrust method to climb into a union located 25 feet or more off the ground
    You ascend a tree using a climbing system
    You advance your own knot
    You climb the rope and stand in the union within 3 minutes (minimum standard)

  3. Contact pre-determined points of a mature tree
    Assessment Strategies
    Skill demonstration in the field
    Criteria
    Select the correct personal safety equipment, clothing, and boots for the given task
    You choose the correct fall prevention device
    You assemble a climbing system
    You contact all flags in a tree by touch
    You keep the rope taut for most of the climbing
    You use a lanyard as necessary to maintain control and positioning
    You complete the climb You return the rope to the starting position within the timeline specified by the instructor

  4. Communicate to other workers from the ground or tree
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz, Skill demonstration in the field
    Criteria
    Your voice is clear, understandable, and directed toward other worker
    You work out in advance gestures and signals when voice communication is difficult
    No more than one “non-hearable” (soft spoken) message per minute is sent
    You utilize the "Command/Response" communication system
    You use appropriate technical vocabulary for communicating about tools and equipment

  5. Demonstrate the proper tying and use of knots
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz, Skill demonstration in the field
    Criteria
    Select the correct personal safety equipment, clothing, and boots for the given task
    You tie each of the following required knots under appropriate circumstances:
    Anchor Hitch
    Blake Hitch
    Bowline
    Running Bowline
    Bowline on a Bight
    Butterfly Knot
    Clove Hitch
    Figure 8 Knot
    Meunter Hitch
    Sheet Bend
    Quick Hitch
    Stilson (Cow) Hitch
    Taut-line Hitch
    Half Hitch (Two Half Hitches)
    Timber Hitch with Marls
    Schwabisch
    You tie required knot within 30 seconds
    Knots are dressed and ready for use
    Tied knot meets visual inspection by instructor

  6. Set a throwing line into a tree
    Assessment Strategies
    Skill demonstration in the field
    Criteria
    Select the correct personal safety equipment, clothing, and boots for the given task
    You toss a weighted throw bag with an attached throwing line through an isolated union
    The line is positioned so that both lines hang parallel to each other and straight from the union to the ground without any lower limbs between the lines
    You place the line 25 feet or higher into the tree (minimum)
    You place the line in 5 throws or less and within 5 minutes

  7. Set/retrieve a friction saver into/from a union
    Assessment Strategies
    Skill demonstration in the field
    Criteria
    Select the correct personal safety equipment, clothing, and boots for the given task
    The arborist successfully sets a rope in a friction saver in the crown of a tree
    You choose the least risky technique
    The friction saver is installed without excessive twisting, and hangs properly in the union
    The friction saver is retrieved in a slow, controlled manner, without risk of jamming or dropping

  8. Set up a mini lift safely
    Assessment Strategies
    Skill demonstration in the field
    Criteria
    Select the correct personal safety equipment, clothing, and boots for the given task
    Conduct pre-operation inspection
    Drive the mini-lift forward a minimum of ten feet
    Deploy the outrigger and set the platform to level
    Ascend in the mini lift to touch the given target within timeline specified by the instructor

  9. Identify tree climbing hazards
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz
    Criteria
    Identify power line hazards
    Locate hazards that negatively impact a climber’s safety

  10. Perform an aerial rescue of an injured climber (victim)
    Assessment Strategies
    Simulation in the field
    Criteria
    The victim is returned to the ground in 10 minutes or less with no additional injuries from the rescue
    The rescuer climbs to and lowers the victim in a smooth fashion in a calm manner, communicates his/her intentions during all steps of the procedure, and assures victim during the entire rescue operation
    The rescue conforms with ANSI Z-133.1 Safety Standards