CATS - Certified Arborist Tree Service of Albuquerque Tree Climbing and Aerial Rescue Questions and Answers Flashcards

What is the ANSI Z133 minimum approach distance non-qualified arborists must maintain from energized power lines up to 50 kV?

Answer: Ten feet minimum approach distance

Only qualified line-clearance arborists trained by utilities may work inside the ten-foot boundary; all others must stay outside it.

What does 'work positioning' mean in aerial tree work?

Answer: Using the climbing system to support body weight so both hands are free for tools

Work positioning allows the arborist to use both hands for a chainsaw or handsaw while the saddle and rope bear body weight.

Why should an arborist never position themselves directly beneath a heavy limb being removed?

Answer: The limb can fall unpredictably and cause a fatal struck-by injury

Even rigged limbs can swing, bounce, or shift during the cut, creating a deadly strike zone directly below the cut point.

What is the purpose of establishing a 'work zone' during aerial tree operations?

Answer: To create a clear exclusion area below the climber protecting ground crew and bystanders

Debris, cut wood, and equipment can fall unexpectedly, making a clear drop zone essential to prevent ground-level injuries.

What does ANSI Z133 require regarding a chainsaw when it is not in active use aloft?

Answer: The saw must be secured by a separate tether or lanyard

A tethered saw prevents a dropped chainsaw from becoming a fatal projectile for ground personnel.

What is a 'redirect' in tree climbing?

Answer: A secondary rope attachment that changes the rope's direction to improve the climber's positioning

Redirects let the climber move to specific positions in the canopy by altering the rope's angle of pull without re-tying the TIP.