Tools and equipment used in arboricultural operations shall comply with applicable OSHA regulations and/or ANSI standards. In the absence of applicable OSHA/ANSI guidance, the requirements of this standard shall be followed.
Employers shall instruct their employees in the proper use, inspection, and maintenance of personal protective equipment (PPE), tools (hand and powered), and other equipment, including ropes and lines.
Employers shall require that appropriate safety-related work practices be followed in accordance with applicable OSHA and consensus standards, including, but not limited to ANSI and ASTM. As applicable, manufacturers’ recommendations should be followed. See Section 5, Safe Use of Vehicles, Mobile, and Towed Equipment Used in Arboriculture, for specific standards regarding vehicles and mobile equipment.
All personnel engaged in arboricultural operations shall be instructed in the correct procedures for emergency response, including 911 calls and other applicable emergency phone numbers.
The employer shall provide and maintain a first-aid kit that meets the requirements of ANSI Z308.1, with contents appropriate for the type of job and number of workers.
Instruction shall be provided in the identification, preventive measures, and first-aid treatment of common poisonous plants (poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac), stinging and biting insects, and other pests found in the area in which work is to be performed.
Employees who may be faced with a rescue decision shall receive training in emergency response and rescue procedures appropriate and applicable to the work to be performed, as well as training to recognize the hazards inherent in rescue efforts (see Annex F, Aerial Rescue Flowchart).
For field crews involving two or more workers at a work location, at least two workers trained in first aid/CPR shall be available. However, only one trained person need be available if all new employees are trained in first aid within three months of their hiring dates.
Personal protective equipment (PPE), as outlined in this section, shall be required when there is a reasonable probability of injury or illness that can be prevented by such protection.
The employer shall assess the worksite to determine if hazards are present or are likely to be present and what type of personal protective equipment is required.
Training shall be provided on the inspection, use, care, maintenance, fit, and replacement of personal protective equipment.
Workers engaged in arboricultural operations shall wear head protection (helmet) that conforms to ANSI Z89.1. Class E helmets shall be worn when working in proximity to electrical conductors in accordance with ANSI Z89.1. Workers shall not place reliance on the dielectric capabilities of such helmets.
Hearing protection provided by the employer shall be worn when it is not practical to decrease or isolate noise levels that exceed acceptable standards. The employer shall provide employees protection against the effects of noise exposure when sound levels exceed an 8-hour, time-weighted average (TWA) of 85 decibels (dB).
Eye protection shall comply with ANSI Z87.1 and shall be worn when engaged in arboricultural operations.
Clothing and footwear appropriate to the known worksite hazards shall be approved by the employer and worn by the employee.
Cut-resistant leg protection that meets or exceeds ASTM F1414 and ASTM F1897 shall be worn while operating a chain saw during ground operations. Cut-resistant leg protection shall be maintained in accordance with manufacturers’ recommendations.
Face protection shall comply with applicable federal regulations as well as with ANSI Z87.1.
Respiratory protection shall comply with applicable federal regulations and with ANSI Z88.2.
A qualified arborist shall determine whether direct supervision is needed on a worksite.
Before digging, underground utilities shall be marked by utility-locating services.
Many utility-based locating services will not locate privately owned underground lines, such as, but not limited to, irrigation, electrical wires, and propane lines. Further resources or research may be necessary to locate underground utilities on private properties.
A job briefing shall be performed by the qualified arborist in charge before the start of each job. The briefing shall be communicated to all affected workers. An employee working alone need not conduct a job briefing. However, the employer shall ensure that the tasks are being performed as if a briefing were required.
Before commencing operations, a communication protocol shall be established or reviewed between arborists aloft and personnel working on the ground. Verbal communication by voice or radio shall employ a command-and-response (C&R) protocol. “Stand Clear” as the “C” from aloft and “Clear” as the “R” from the ground are examples. Hand signals or whistles may also be used. Eye contact with, or line-of-sight between, the arborist aloft and the ground person should also be established when communicating.
The arborist in charge shall establish a plan to safely manage the worksite. Communications among arborists aloft and other workers on the ground shall be established before commencing operations. Predetermined, non-verbal communication such as whistles, two-way hand signals, or radios may also be used.
When dropping or lowering trunks, branches, fruit, or equipment, a landing area (drop zone) should be designated.
People and valuable objects shall be protected or excluded from the drop zone when active.
A visible drop zone may be designated as an aid to avoidance of falling objects.
An inspection shall be made by a qualified arborist to determine whether an electrical hazard exists before performing arboricultural operations.
A qualified arborist shall visually inspect the tree, including the root collar and the area immediately surrounding the tree, for hazards before anyone climbs, otherwise enters, or performs any work on the tree.
When definite indicators of decay, weakly attached branches, or dead bark are seen, the qualified arborist shall determine if the tree can withstand the forces to be applied during the work.
If there is question as to the condition of the tree, relative to the task to be performed, work shall not commence until a more thorough assessment can be made.
A second arborist, an arborist trainee, or other worker trained in emergency procedures shall be within visual or voice communication during arboricultural operations above 12 feet (3.65 m) that are not subject to the requirements of Subsection 4.3.9.
Traffic and pedestrian control around the worksite shall be established prior to the start of all arboricultural operations.
Arborists and other workers having specific temporary traffic control zone responsibilities shall be trained in temporary traffic control techniques, device usage and placement, and how to work next to traffic in a manner that minimizes their exposure.
Arborists and other workers exposed to risks of moving roadway traffic shall wear high-visibility safety apparel meeting the requirements of ANSI/ISEA 107.
The temporary traffic control zone should impede the flow of vehicular traffic as little as possible. Arborists and other workers should use the necessary devices that get the road user’s attention and provide positive direction in accordance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).
Pedestrians should have separate movement from the worksite and vehicular traffic, including bicycles, with a safe, convenient, and accessible path.
All personnel shall be instructed in the use and location of vehicle-mounted fire extinguishers.
Equipment shall be fueled only:
Spilled fuel shall be cleaned up before restarting.
Flammable liquids shall be stored, handled, and dispensed from approved and clearly marked containers.
Equipment shall not be operated within 10 feet (3.05 m) of areas in which refueling has recently taken place.
Smoking shall be prohibited when working around or handling flammable liquids or while wearing clothing contaminated by fuel.
Clothing contaminated with fuel shall be changed, removed, or replaced as soon as possible.
Open flame and other sources of ignition shall be avoided.
Dead and/or combustible material shall be kept clear of hot and/or operating equipment.
Where required, all internal or external combustion engines shall be equipped with a spark arrester that meets the requirements established by SAE Standard J335 or USDA Forest Service Specification 5100-1. Federal requirements are explained in 36 CFR 261.52.