CATS Arborist Albuquerque Risk & Safety 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A climber encounters a large cavity at the base of a mature cottonwood in Albuquerque. Which test helps estimate the remaining sound wood thickness?
- Scratch test
- Resistograph drilling or mallet sounding (Correct answer)
- Increment core extraction
- Soil pH probe insertion
Correct answer: Resistograph drilling or mallet sounding
A resistograph measures drilling resistance to map internal decay, while mallet sounding identifies hollow areas by acoustic response, both estimating remaining sound wood.
Question 2: Under New Mexico OSHA regulations, how soon must a workplace fatality in tree care be reported to the nearest OSHA office?
- Within 24 hours
- Within 8 hours (Correct answer)
- Within 72 hours
- By the end of the business day
Correct answer: Within 8 hours
OSHA requires that all work-related fatalities be reported to the nearest OSHA office within 8 hours of the employer learning of the incident.
Question 3: Which rigging technique is preferred when removing a limb over a structure to control the speed and direction of descent?
- Speedline rigging
- Free-fall with spotter
- Block and tackle lowering (Correct answer)
- Push-and-cut method
Correct answer: Block and tackle lowering
Block and tackle lowering systems allow controlled, slow descent of large limb sections, minimizing impact forces on anchor points and protecting structures below.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) inspection before each climb?
- To document equipment for tax purposes
- To identify wear, damage, or contamination that could cause failure (Correct answer)
- To verify the equipment matches the manufacturer's color code
- To confirm the equipment was purchased within the last year
Correct answer: To identify wear, damage, or contamination that could cause failure
Pre-use inspection identifies cuts, abrasion, UV degradation, chemical contamination, or mechanical damage that could cause life safety equipment to fail during use.
Question 5: In Albuquerque, utility line clearance work requires coordination with which entity before beginning trim operations?
- City of Albuquerque Parks Department
- Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) (Correct answer)
- Bernalillo County Road Department
- New Mexico State Forestry Division
Correct answer: Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM)
PNM (Public Service Company of New Mexico) is the electric utility serving Albuquerque, and line clearance work must be coordinated with them to ensure safe work conditions.
Question 6: When is a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) most critical to complete for arborist operations?
- Only for jobs exceeding $10,000 in contract value
- Before beginning any tree work, particularly on complex or high-risk sites (Correct answer)
- After completing a job to document what occurred
- Only when a new crew member is present on site
Correct answer: Before beginning any tree work, particularly on complex or high-risk sites
A JHA identifies site-specific hazards and mitigation measures before work begins, reducing injury risk by ensuring all crew members understand the hazards and controls.
Question 7: A climbing arborist's harness shows visible cuts from a chainsaw near a load-bearing strap. What is the correct action?
- Reinforce the damaged area with duct tape and continue work
- Mark the harness as unsafe and remove it from service immediately (Correct answer)
- Reduce work hours to lower harness stress
- Report the damage but continue use until the next inspection cycle
Correct answer: Mark the harness as unsafe and remove it from service immediately
Any cut, abrasion, or damage to load-bearing components of a harness constitutes grounds for immediate retirement from service regardless of apparent depth.
CATS Arborist Albuquerque Risk & Safety 3
A climber encounters a large cavity at the base of a mature cottonwood in Albuquerque.
Which test helps estimate the remaining sound wood thickness?