Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements for Arborists During Tree Climbing Operations

Arborists performing tree climbing operations face significant risks, including falls from height and injuries from falling objects or equipment. To mitigate these risks and ensure overall safety, it is crucial that arborists wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). This document outlines the specific PPE requirements for tree climbing operations, focusing on fall protection and general safety measures.

General PPE Requirements

The following PPE is generally required for arborists during tree climbing operations:

Head Protection: Arborists must wear head protection that meets ANSI Z89.2-1971, "Safety Requirements for Industrial Protective Helmets for Electrical Workers, Class B" standards whenever there is a potential exposure to high voltage electrical contact or head injury from falling objects. This typically means wearing a safety helmet or hard hat to protect against falling debris, branches, or equipment.
Eye Protection: Arborists must wear eye protection that meets the requirements of $1910.133 (a)(2) thru (a)(6) where foreign objects may enter the eyes due to work operations such as tree pruning or cutting underbrush. This includes safety glasses or goggles to protect against sawdust, wood chips, and other debris.
Hand Protection: Arborists should wear hand protection that provides adequate protection from puncture wounds, cuts, and lacerations, especially when handling wire rope.
Leg Protection: Arborists who operate a chainsaw must wear leg protection constructed with cut-resistant material, such as ballistic nylon, covering the full length of the thigh to the top of the boot on each leg to protect against contact with a moving chain saw. However, this may not apply when an employee is working as a climber if the employer demonstrates that a greater hazard is posed by wearing leg protection in the particular situation, or when an employee is working from a vehicular mounted elevating and rotating work platform meeting the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.67.
Foot Protection: Arborists must wear foot protection, such as heavy-duty logging boots that are waterproof or water repellant, cover and provide support to the ankle. Arborists who operate a chain saw must wear foot protection constructed with cut-resistant material to protect against contact with a running chain saw. Sharp, calk-soled boots or other slip-resistant type boots may be worn where the employer demonstrates that they are necessary for the employee's job, the terrain, the timber type, and the weather conditions, provided that foot protection otherwise required by this paragraph is met.

Fall Protection Equipment

Fall protection is paramount for arborists performing tree climbing operations. The following equipment is essential:

Work Positioning System or Personal Fall Arrest System: A positioning system or a personal fall arrest system shall be provided and the employer shall ensure their use when work is performed at positions more than 4 feet (1.2 m) above the ground, on poles, and on towers. These systems shall meet the applicable requirements in subpart I of this part. The employer shall ensure that all climbing equipment is inspected before each day's use to determine that it is in safe working condition.
Harness: Arborists must use a tree climbing or tree trimming harness or saddle as part of their fall arrest system. Harnesses manufactured on or after March 31, 2023, must be approved to specific standards, including NFPA 1983 (Class II or III), CEN EN 813:1997, CSA Z259.10-18, ANSI/ASSE Z359.1-2007, or CEN EN 361:2007. A full body harness should be used with a personal fall arrest system.
Climbing Rope: A climbing rope shall be not less than 1/2 inch (12.7mm), 3 or 4 strand first grade manila with a nominal breaking strength of 2,650 pounds (1202kg. approx.) or its equivalent in strength and durability. A climbing rope shall not be used to lower tree parts or handle equipment. A climbing rope shall be inspected for defects before each day's use.
Lanyard: Lanyards manufactured on or after March 31, 2023, must be approved to CSA Standard Z259.11-17, ANSI/ASSE Standard Z359.1-2007, or CEN Standard EN 354:2002. If tools or corrosive agents are used that could damage the lanyard, it must be made of wire rope or other appropriate material.
Connecting Components: Connecting components used during non-industrial rope access work must be approved to CEN Standard EN 12275: 1998, or UIAA Standard 121: 2004.

Detailed Safety Procedures and Practices

Safe work practices and procedures are crucial for preventing accidents during tree care operations. Employers must develop and implement these practices, involving affected workers where reasonably practicable. Key components include:

Hazard Assessment: Conduct thorough assessments of hazards at the work site before starting any tree care operation.
Worker Training: Provide comprehensive training to workers, including hazard recognition, proper use of PPE, and emergency rescue procedures.
Equipment Selection and Maintenance: Ensure the selection, limitation, operation, and maintenance of appropriate equipment and PPE.
Fall Protection and Work Positioning Systems: Implement and enforce the use of work positioning systems and fall protection systems.
Emergency Rescue: Establish and practice emergency rescue procedures to address potential incidents effectively.

Additional Safety Considerations

Inspection of Equipment: All climbing equipment must be inspected before each day’s use to ensure it is in safe working condition. The worker must inspect equipment and personal protective equipment before each work shift, as required by the manufacturer.
Electrical Hazards: Maintain appropriate distances from energized conductors. Tree workers must maintain a minimum distance from energized conductors, as specified in relevant safety standards. If these clearances cannot be maintained, the systems operator or owner must de-energize the conductor or provide protective measures before work begins.
Climbing Practices: Use an approved safety belt, tree trimming saddle belt, or rope saddle when aloft. The climbing rope should be crotched as soon as possible after ascending, positioning it to swing the worker away from conductors in case of a fall. Workers must remain tied in until the work is completed and they have returned to the ground. If recrotching is necessary, the worker must retie or use a safety strap before releasing the previous tie. Climbing should be avoided during storms, high winds, or when the tree is covered with ice or snow, except in emergency situations.
Lowering Limbs: Use a separate work rope, controlled by an employee on the ground, to lower limbs that cannot be dropped. The work rope should not use the same crotch as the climbing rope. Cut branches or limbs should not be left aloft overnight unless secured or the area below is barricaded.
Communication: Whenever an employee is aloft in excess of 15 feet (4.572 M), a second employee or supervisor shall be within vocal hearing distance of the treed employee.
Traffic Control: Implement traffic control measures where the fall of a limb or tree could create a hazard for employees, pedestrians, or vehicular traffic.

It is essential for employers and employees to adhere to these PPE requirements and safety guidelines to minimize the risks associated with tree climbing operations. Regular training, diligent equipment inspection, and consistent enforcement of safety protocols are vital for maintaining a safe working environment.

Pole climbers may not be worn when working in trees; specifically designed tree climbers shall be used for tree climbing

Pole climbers may not be worn when working in trees (specifically designed tree climbers shall be used for tree climbing) [1]

Employers Responsibilities

An employer shall: [2]

Provide training to each new employee regarding the requirements of this standard, the job hazards and safeguards before starting his assigned job. A job briefing shall be conducted before any tree job involving unusual hazards is begun.
Not allow a tool or equipment to be used which is not guarded according to state standards, has a defective guard or is otherwise unsafe.
Develop rescue procedures such as, but not limited to, removal of injured, stricken or electrically shocked employees from work positions aloft.

[2] [2] [2] Employees Responsibilities

An employee shall: [2]

Report to his leader or supervisor any tool, equipment or safeguard which is defective.
Use personal protective equipment prescribed by the state safety standards.
Not remove a guard except for authorized operational or maintenance purposes. The guard shall be replaced or equivalent guarding provided before the equipment is returned for normal use.
Not operate any equipment unless trained in the operating procedures, hazards and safeguards and has been authorized to do SO.

[2] [2] [2] [2]