Tree Worker A MONTHLY RESOURCE FOR TREE CARE PROFESSIONALS k APRIL 2017 Number 410

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1 Tree Worker A MONTHLY RESOURCE FOR TREE CARE PROFESSIONALS k APRIL 2017 Number 410 Lunch Breaks Travis Vickerson, CTSP Lunch time is something most crews look forward to as a time to sit down, eat some grub and catch a break. Yet, when that 15- to 30-minute break ends, the questions stands what do you do? Some crews may break bread as a unit and others may rotate breaks in order to continue production. The big crew break when everyone sits down and breaks bread together is a great way to force all work to stop, take in the work that was completed and identify what work needs to be done in the afternoon session. A new job hazard brief isn t always necessary, unless the job has changed or the environment has changed (i.e., thunderstorms rolling in or snow). But before work begins again, it s a good idea to look at things such as: - Review of job hazards - Refuel/refill saws and clean filters - Check chain saw tension and sharpness - Gear check for climbers - Fuel check of large equipment - Safety gear continued on page 2 How do you store your throwline? Throwline Primer The use of throwlines can improve safety and productivity, and not just by facilitating the installation of climbing lines into trees. Every person on your crew should become proficient with the throwline. Even if tree care personnel do not climb, becoming proficient with this tool can help out on almost every jobsite. The work of the throwline The throwline is most often thought of as the primary tool to install access lines for climbing, but there are many other uses as well. Set pull lines for felling trees Throwlines can be used to install pull-over lines in trees as well as PUBLISHED BY THE TREE CARE INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION TCIA.ORG continued on page 4 1

2 Lunch Breakscontinued from page 1 Now let s break down a few of those and consider some simple checks that can be done to have a successful afternoon, keeping in mind injuries and death have a higher rate of occurrence after lunch and closer to weekends (Monday/Fridays). Plan a time and a place for lunch. Review of job hazard problem. This is also a great opportunity to quickly clean the air filter on the saw. Keep in mind the manufacture s recommendation of how to clean the filter best; be it a toothbrush, microfiber cloth or high-pressure air flow. Each filter model is different and the best way to clean them is different, but understanding how to clean it can lead to a quick fix for lots of power-related problems. Tree work success is based on production and the number-one tool that we use is the chain saw. If you disagree, I dare you to go to the next job and only use a handsaw for each and every cut! While checking the fuel and air filter, take a look at the business end of the saw (the chain) and see how things look. Check sharpness, depth gauge and chisel angle, but also check tension, as the saw has cooled off during break and the chain may have become too tight; this puts undo stress on the sprocket. Though the chains are metal, the linkages can stretch and shrink throughout the day s work and as weather changes so constantly be checking the tension per the manufacture s recommendations. Take a look back over the job orders and what work has been completed and what still needs to be completed. Review the hazards that were identified in the morning brief and what new hazards may exist or no longer exist due to work completion (widow-makers removed, dead trees removed, etc.). Also this a good time to take a look at the crew as a whole and assess the health of the members. Whether it s 100 degrees outside in July in Florida or 15 degrees with minus-10-degree wind chill in Illinois, the after lunch review is a great time to assess crew members health to ensure safety. Refuel/refill saws and clean filters Gear check for climbers As a climber myself, I am just as guilty as anyone else in coming out of a tree for lunch and then going right back up without ever stopping to reassess my gear or the tree itself. It comes from complacency and thinking, I just came down, what possibly could have changed But that is exactly the problem. You left the tree, gear, line, etc. in place and went to lunch at the truck, and now you are willing to trust your life on the simple fact that you think nothing has changed. How many times have you climbed a tree just to find what you thought you would find up in the crown of the tree is different than what you find? Lunch breaks are a great chance to perform some Take a few moments to check your gear and load basic equipment maintenance before going back your line to make sure the tie-in point hasn t changed to work. There is not much worse that can happen and is still holding like you want it to. The gear for a climber than going back up a tree after lunch check should be thorough, and concise, checking to find his/her saw is out of fuel and oil. A simple connections (carabiners, screw links, knots), hardware (clevis, blocks and pulleys) and any cordage/ after-break refill check can solve this common 2 PUBLISHED BY THE TREE CARE INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION TCIA.ORG

3 WISE WORDS Travis Vickerson, CTSP Every day I see great posts, videos and photos from friends and peers throughout the arboricultural industry. The following are some wise words from my friend, arborist Jimmy Prichard, aka Jay Prizzle, aka Crazy Jimmy. I took what Jay wrote, and detailed some of the finer points to, hopefully, guide climbers as they progress in their craft. Never stop learning and progressing. This industry is not dangerous; it is risky. Some of the greatest ways to combat those risks are through education, training and progression of skills through experience.. webbing items for breakage wear or failure signs. Since tree work is dynamic and constantly evolving, stopping to reassess as a climber or ground specialist is never a bad thing and can lead to a much more successful day. TREEWORKER APRIL 2017 Fuel check for large equipment Whether it is a compact lift, chipper, stump grinder or loader, all equipment should be checked for fuel and topped off before beginning work after a lunch break. Not much can kill the production of a day more than running out of fuel, or just having to cease operations for refueling when you just had everything shut down a few minutes or hours ago for lunch. Lunch breaks are also a good time for some safety and maintenance checks, such as knocking dust off chippers, air filters, greasing the bearings on the cutting teeth on a stump grinder or adjusting the track tension on a compact lift/mini skid or loader. Any of these simple things done after a lunch break can lead to a productive afternoon absent of interruptions. continued on page 8 3

4 Throwline Primer continued stubs. The climber or aerial lift operator can remove tree sections down the bole as far as possible, leaving stubs between the 20 feet and 40 feet height. With a little bit of patience and some planning, you can set throwlines in these spars then attach the throwline to pull lines for felling. This is one time when it is good to leave a few stubs to make it easier to set the line, but it is possible to set a line on a straight spar without any stubs. If there are other trees nearby, you can throw into them, letting the weight drop down near the stub to be felled. Tie the pull-over line with a Yosemite locking running-bowline around the tree and raise the line to the height that you want and set it tight from the ground. This method requires you to leave the throwline attached to the pull-over line. Length from page 1 The length that you will need is determined in part by what type of work you will be doing with it. Throwlines usually come in spools of 1,000 feet, or is cut to length, often 150 or 180 feet. Many climbers have found that the best length to use is about three times the height of their highest common tie-in height. This length is recommended so you can lower your false crotch to the ground. If you usually climb on a 150 foot climbing line and most often end up with a final working height of around 60 feet, your throwline could be about 180 feet in length. Remove hangers A throwline is very useful for removing hanging branches from the ground. Visually inspect the entire tree crown for hazards before pulling out a hung up branch. Use throwline to pull back trees and other vegetation to allow space to work and drop trees Brush and smaller trees can be gathered and tied back with throwline to allow room for tree care operations in tight spaces. Use throwline as a secondary line to assist climbers and lift operators working aloft. Some bucket operators will store a small amount of line, about twice the height of the fully extended bucket, in a small plastic bottle. In case of hydraulic failure, the line can be dropped and needed gear can be sent up to the operator. Decide what type of throwline to buy There are a variety of types of line available. They vary in color, length, diameter, braid and cost. Decide which will work best for you. How to take throwline off of the spool. Diameter The diameter of the throwline can impact how you can use it. It is a little like fishing line in that the smaller the diameter, usually, the higher you can throw it. Many climbers have two primary throw line diameters that they use on a daily basis: 2.2 and 1.75 millimeters. The 2.2 might be easier for them to throw, as the smaller line will slip through their fingers more easily. Throw weights There are a number of styles of throw weights to choose from as well. A common style is the standard throw bag that is stitched to a ring and filled with a granular material for weight. Some climbers still use the throw ball style, which is molded rubber around weight attached to a ring. The bag style tends to bounce less and is easier, and can be safer, to use. 4 PUBLISHED BY THE TREE CARE INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION TCIA.ORG

5 Throw bags These come in a variety of weights. Many arborists carry a range of weights from eight to 18 ounces. The greater the diameter of the line, the heavier the bag that you will need, usually. Many people are using 14- or 16-ounce bags with the 2.2 millimeter lines. It is a good idea to set up your throwlines with two bags, one at each end. Attach the line to the ring of your throw bag with a slippery figureeight knot. There are many knots that work, and the slippery eight is commonly used because it ties and unties quickly. Like every other knot, as long as you tie it, dress it and set it, it will hold for you. Throwline containers There are different containers that you can store your line in; buckets, bags, cubes, etc., but do not wrap your throwline on a stick. It should be piled (piddled technically) into something like the folding cubes or a bucket. You can store more than one throwline set stacked in a five-gallon bucket. Keep the sets separated with cardboard, Frisbees or other dividers. Carry multiple throwlines because often one will get stuck in the tree, and it is good to have a backup. Storing your line in a container such as a bucket or folding cube will keep it from getting snarled, and a bucket allows you a place to throw from. Anyone who has ever thrown from an area that had undergrowth or even long grass knows how much of a pain this can be. With a bucket you can pile your line back into the bucket before you throw again. Load your throwlines into the cube the same way, every time. The heaviest weight bag goes in first, and it goes on the side opposite the handle, the top bag, which is what I would throw first, goes in last and goes in on the side of the handle. The final throw line goes in the same way, but with one difference: the top bag gets placed through the handle inside the cube and then placed in the pouch. This way, I always know which one is on top. Unspooling throwline To measure and cut a new length of throwline, suspend the spool on either a length of old line or a tool handle so the spool spins freely. Pull the line off the spool and keep the twists out of the line. Don t pull coils off the end of the spool as this will cause frustrating tangles. Once you have it off of the spool in the length that you desire, make sure both ends are processed (heat sealed or taped) so they can t unravel. Melting the ends with a lighter works well. Next, if there is any twist despite your efforts to not twist the line as it come off the spool, get as much twist out of the line as possible. Tie off one end of the line to a secure anchor and then stretch it out by running your hands along the length of it, milking it as you would a new climbing line. Wear thick gloves during this procedure to prevent blisters. How the top throw bag is threaded through the handle of the cube. Also shows the locking carabiner and ring used for retrieval and advanced techniques. TREEWORKER APRIL

6 Some Things About Slings Synthetic slings have certain advantages over steel or wire chokers. Advantages of synthetic slings: l They cinch tightly around the load, giving extra security during lifts. l They do not rust. l There is minimal twisting and spinning during lifting. l They are lighter in weight to permit ease of rigging. l There is minimal risk of crew members being struck and injured by a free-swinging sling. l They stretch under load to absorb heavy shocks. Where sling stretch must be minimized, use a larger capacity or polyester sling. l The length is adjustable. Disadvantages of synthetic slings: l They are easily cut and have poor abrasion resistance when compared to chain and wire-rope slings. Protective devices by sling manufacturers can minimize these effects. l If the loops on a webbed sling are allowed to slip too much, it is possible for them to cut into the cinched eye or loop and cause severe sling damage or breakage. l Nylon slings are damaged by acids, but resist caustics. l Polyester slings are damaged by caustics but resist acids. l Sunlight, moisture and temperatures above 90 C (194 F) damage both nylon and polyester slings. ISSN Editor Tchukki Andersen, Staff Arborist, BCMA, CTSP Contributing Writer Travis Vickerson, CTSP Graphic Design & Layout Kathleen Costello 2017 All rights reserved. All materials contained herein are for the information of The TreeWorker subscribers. UNAUTHORIZED REPRODUCTION WITHOUT EXPRESSED WRITTEN PERMISSION IS NOT PERMITTED. Pictures, articles and other data are in no way to be construed as an endorsement of products, techniques or members. The TreeWorker is published monthly by the Tree Care Industry Association, Inc., 136 Harvey Road, Ste. 101, Londonderry, NH Call to order and Sachin Mohan at ext. 111 to advertise. Articles in The TreeWorker meet the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard Z133 for safety in arboricultural operation and the ANSI A300 series of standards for the management of trees. These standards are industry consensus standards that apply only to readers in the United States of America. The TreeWorker readers in countries other than the United States of America are cautioned that your local and/or national standards may or may not be similar to ANSI standards. You are advised to research and apply your local and/or national standards to all standard practices represented in The TreeWorker articles. Made possible in part by our CROWN PACT Partners 6 PUBLISHED BY THE TREE CARE INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION TCIA.ORG

7 Synthetic Slings Mr. Safety by Bryan Kotwica TREEWORKER APRIL

8 Lunch Breaks continued from page 3 Safety gear When I say check safety gear, I don t mean check that it is working correctly, or is functioning to its highest ability such as a chain saw or chipper, but more along the lines of personal protective equipment (PPE) being all in place and worn correctly. It s easy to forget to snap your chin strap on a helmet or put your ear plugs back in after taking a break. The best way to prevent these safety gear missteps is to treat the day as two different sessions. The morning work and the afternoon work day, letting the break be the segment that keeps us treating the day as two separate work periods instead of just one. Success is dependent on each and every member working together, no matter if it s in a large crew-break setting or individual breaks. Much like a football team takes 11 members doing their individual jobs correctly on each play as designed, tree work takes each crew member working together in his or her designed role to be successful. Each position is just as important as the next, from estimator to crane operator, from climber to stump grinder. Everyone must be working independently toward success to have success as a team! 8 PUBLISHED BY THE TREE CARE INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION TCIA.ORG