Certified Arborist Test Safe Work Practices 3 — Questions and Answers

Question 1: What does the ANSI Z133 standard require regarding work zone setup when arborists are working adjacent to public roadways?

Arborists must notify the police department 24 hours before beginning roadside tree work
Appropriate traffic control measures — including signage, cones, flaggers, and in many cases traffic control permits — must be established to protect workers and the public before work begins near traffic (Correct answer)
Crews working within 50 feet of a road must wear orange reflective vests but no other traffic control is required
Only licensed traffic control companies may establish roadway work zones — arborists are prohibited from placing any traffic control devices

Correct answer: Appropriate traffic control measures — including signage, cones, flaggers, and in many cases traffic control permits — must be established to protect workers and the public before work begins near traffic

ANSI Z133 requires that traffic control be established before arboricultural work begins near public roadways, following MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices) standards for signage, cones, and flagging. Local permits may also be required depending on jurisdiction and road type.

Work zone safety near public roadways is governed by ANSI Z133 (arboricultural operations safety standard) and the MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices), which specifies the traffic control devices, placement specifications, and procedures required for work zone establishment near traffic. Vehicle-worker incidents at roadside work zones are among the most serious and preventable fatalities in arboricultural operations. The MUTCD (published by FHWA and adopted by all states) provides type-specific guidance for work zone setups depending on road type (residential street, arterial, highway), speed limit, number of lanes, and whether lane closure is required. Basic requirements include advance warning signs placed at specified distances before the work zone (based on road speed), traffic channelizing devices (cones, drums, or barriers) creating a physical buffer between traffic and workers, and where lanes are partially or fully closed, flagger personnel with proper training (ATSSA Flagger certification) or mechanical control devices. Arboricultural-specific requirements in ANSI Z133 include establishing the work zone before any equipment is set up or work begins, maintaining the zone throughout the operation, and considering sight distances — a worker turning or stepping into traffic cannot be the first warning a driver has of the work area. For work on state or county roads, permit requirements vary by jurisdiction and may require submission of a traffic control plan, payment of fees, and coordination with transportation department inspectors. High-visibility personal protective equipment (ANSI/ISEA 107-compliant Class 2 or Class 3 safety vests) must be worn by all workers in or adjacent to traffic areas. Equipment operators, ground workers handling brush, and chipper operators are all exposed to traffic risks and all require visibility protection. Traffic control must be maintained during all phases of work including debris cleanup.

Question 2: What are the key elements of a job hazard analysis (JHA) and when should it be completed?

A JHA is a post-incident analysis completed after accidents to identify causes for insurance documentation
A JHA breaks down job tasks into specific steps, identifies hazards associated with each step, and documents control measures — completed before work begins and updated when conditions change (Correct answer)
A JHA is an annual company-level safety audit required by OSHA for businesses with more than 10 employees
A JHA is an equipment inspection checklist completed at the beginning of each equipment operation day

Correct answer: A JHA breaks down job tasks into specific steps, identifies hazards associated with each step, and documents control measures — completed before work begins and updated when conditions change

A JHA (also called Job Safety Analysis/JSA) systematically identifies hazards at the task-step level and documents controls before work begins. For arboricultural operations, JHAs are developed for site-specific conditions and the specific work sequence planned for that job.

A Job Hazard Analysis (JHA), also called a Job Safety Analysis (JSA) or Activity Hazard Analysis (AHA), is a proactive safety planning tool that systematically examines a specific job to identify potential hazards at each task step and documents control measures to eliminate or minimize those hazards. It bridges the gap between general safety policies and the specific conditions of a particular job. The JHA process involves several steps: (1) Select the job to be analyzed — focus on jobs with high injury rates, new or changed procedures, or tasks identified as high-hazard. (2) Break the job into sequential steps — typically 8-15 specific actions that together constitute the job. (3) Identify potential hazards at each step — physical (falling objects, struck-by), biological (bee nests, poison ivy), chemical (pesticide exposure, fuel spills), environmental (electrical, traffic), and ergonomic hazards. (4) Determine control measures for each identified hazard — using the hierarchy of controls (elimination > substitution > engineering controls > administrative controls > PPE). For arboricultural operations, JHAs are typically developed at the job site, incorporating the specific tree conditions observed during the pre-work assessment, the planned work sequence (e.g., rig and remove large dead limb over structure, then chip, then grind stump), and site-specific hazards (electrical proximity, traffic conditions, tree structural concerns). They are not generic office documents but living tools used by the crew. JHAs should be reviewed with the entire crew before work begins, so each worker understands the hazards and controls relevant to their specific role. When conditions change — unexpected discovery of additional decay, weather change, new hazard encountered — the JHA must be updated and the crew briefed before continuing. Documentation of JHA completion is a defense against liability in the event of an incident.

Question 3: What is the minimum requirement for a first aid kit on an arboricultural job site according to OSHA standards, and what additional first aid resources are required?

A basic bandage kit in the crew vehicle is sufficient — OSHA does not specify first aid requirements for arboricultural crews
OSHA requires adequate first aid supplies on-site whenever a job site is not close to a medical facility; at least one employee per crew must have current first aid and CPR certification (Correct answer)
All crew members must be licensed EMTs — tree work involves sufficient trauma risk to require full emergency medical training
First aid kits must be registered with the local fire department and inspected quarterly regardless of job site proximity to hospitals

Correct answer: OSHA requires adequate first aid supplies on-site whenever a job site is not close to a medical facility; at least one employee per crew must have current first aid and CPR certification

OSHA 1910.151 requires readily available first aid supplies and, where no medical facilities are nearby, at least one trained first-aider on site. ANSI Z133 and industry best practices call for at least one employee per crew to hold current first aid and CPR certification, with a comprehensive first aid kit in the work vehicle.

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.151 states that employers must ensure the ready availability of medical personnel for advice and consultation on occupational health matters and that, in the absence of an infirmary, clinic, or hospital near the worksite that can treat injured employees, at least one person shall be adequately trained to render first aid. Adequate first aid supplies approved by a consulting physician shall be readily available. ANSI Z133 'Safety Requirements for Arboricultural Operations' provides more specific guidance for tree care operations. The standard calls for a first aid kit to be available at each work site and requires that at least one member of each crew maintain current first aid and CPR/AED training from an approved training provider. Given the types and severity of injuries possible in arboricultural work — chainsaw lacerations, fall injuries, struck-by injuries, envenomation, electrocution — rapid first aid response before emergency services arrive can be life-saving. First aid kit contents for arboricultural operations should be appropriate for the types of injuries likely to occur. Beyond basic bandage kits, arboricultural first aid kits should contain materials for controlling severe bleeding (tourniquets, hemostatic wound dressings, pressure bandages), eye irrigation supplies (for chainsaw debris or wood chip eye injuries), chemical burn treatment materials (if pesticides are used), a CPR face shield or bag-valve mask, emergency blanket, and emergency contact information including the nearest trauma center. AED (automated external defibrillator) availability is increasingly recommended for remote work sites, particularly where response times for EMS may be prolonged. Climbers with cardiac events aloft require rapid ground-level response, making both AED access and working at height cardiac emergency protocols (rescue descents) important safety planning elements.

Question 4: What are the key selection criteria for personal protective equipment (PPE) in arboricultural operations, specifically for chainsaw protection?

Cost and comfort are the primary selection criteria — any chainsaw chap sold commercially meets required safety standards
PPE must meet relevant ANSI/ASTM performance standards; chainsaw chaps must meet ASTM F1897 with appropriate hazard category for the saw class used; cut-resistant gloves, eye protection, hearing protection, and hard hats have separate applicable standards (Correct answer)
Only hard hats are required by OSHA for tree work — all other PPE is recommended but not mandated
Chainsaw PPE selection is the employee's responsibility — employers need only provide generic work clothes and boots

Correct answer: PPE must meet relevant ANSI/ASTM performance standards; chainsaw chaps must meet ASTM F1897 with appropriate hazard category for the saw class used; cut-resistant gloves, eye protection, hearing protection, and hard hats have separate applicable standards

PPE for arboricultural chainsaw work must meet performance standards: chainsaw chaps per ASTM F1897 (matched to the saw's chain speed/hazard class), eye protection per ANSI Z87.1, hearing protection with adequate NRR for chainsaw noise levels, and head protection per ANSI Z89.1. Employers are responsible for providing compliant PPE.

The selection of appropriate PPE for arboricultural chainsaw operations requires understanding the specific hazards and the performance standards that govern protective equipment. PPE that does not meet applicable standards provides false protection — it may look like safety equipment without actually protecting the wearer. Chainsaw chaps (or chainsaw pants/trousers) must meet ASTM F1897 'Standard Specification for Leg Protection for Chain Saw Users.' The standard specifies testing with actual chainsaws at defined chain speeds and penetration resistance requirements. Chaps are classified by hazard level corresponding to chain speed classes — it is essential to match the hazard class of the chap to the saw being used. Class A covers the front of the legs; Type B covers full leg circumference. The protective mechanism in most chaps is layers of cut-resistant synthetic fibers (Kevlar, Dyneema) that tangle the chain upon contact and stop the saw before it reaches the leg. Eye and face protection must meet ANSI Z87.1 'American National Standard for Occupational and Educational Personal Eye and Face Protection Devices.' For chainsaw operation, the rating should be impact-rated (not just dust protection). Full face shields are recommended over glasses alone for chainsaw work due to chip and splatter trajectories. Hearing protection is mandatory when chainsaw noise levels exceed 85dB — chainsaws typically produce 100-115dB at the operator position. The noise reduction rating (NRR) of selected hearing protection must be sufficient to reduce exposure below 90dB (or 85dB under ACGIH guidance) for the expected daily exposure duration. Hard hats must meet ANSI Z89.1 Class E (electrical protection) when work is performed near electrical hazards; Class G is the minimum for general arboricultural work. Employers under OSHA 1910.132 are responsible for conducting a hazard assessment and providing compliant PPE at no cost to employees.

Question 5: What is the role of tailgate safety meetings in arboricultural operations, and what topics should they address?

Formal quarterly meetings at the company office to review the year's incidents and update the safety program
Brief pre-work crew meetings (5-15 minutes) conducted at the job site before work begins to review site-specific hazards, assign roles, and confirm safety procedures for that day's work (Correct answer)
Weekly written communications from the safety officer distributed to all field crews summarizing regulatory changes
Post-job debriefs following any incident to document causes and corrective actions for future prevention

Correct answer: Brief pre-work crew meetings (5-15 minutes) conducted at the job site before work begins to review site-specific hazards, assign roles, and confirm safety procedures for that day's work

Tailgate safety meetings (also called toolbox talks) are brief, job-site, pre-work team briefings that review the specific hazards for that day's job, confirm each crew member's role and responsibilities, establish communication protocols, identify escape routes, and address any unusual conditions that require specific attention.

Tailgate safety meetings — named for the tradition of gathering around the tailgate of the crew vehicle at the work site — are one of the most valuable practical safety tools available to arboricultural crews. Their effectiveness lies in their specificity and immediacy: they occur at the actual work site, immediately before work begins, focused on the specific hazards and conditions of that particular job. An effective tailgate safety meeting covers the site-specific hazards identified in the pre-work assessment: electrical hazard locations and required clearances, structural concerns about the specific tree(s) to be worked, traffic control status confirmation (is the zone established and complete before workers exit the vehicle?), weather conditions relevant to the work planned, and any unusual site conditions. Each crew member's role and responsibilities are reviewed — who is climbing, who is managing the rigging, who is running the chipper, who is managing the drop zone. Communication protocols — hand signals, radio frequencies, verbal commands — are confirmed so that all crew members understand how information will flow during the job. Escape routes are identified and physically pointed out, not just mentioned abstractly. Emergency procedures — where is the first aid kit, what is the address of the nearest trauma center, who is calling 911 if an incident occurs — are confirmed. If a JHA was prepared, the tailgate meeting is an appropriate time to review its key hazard-control assignments. Documentation of tailgate meetings — sign-in sheets confirming who attended and what was discussed — serves both safety culture (it formalizes the expectation of safety planning) and legal protection (demonstrates employer compliance with safety planning obligations). Research consistently shows that companies with regular tailgate safety meetings have significantly lower incident rates than those without, even when physical working conditions are similar. The meetings build a culture of hazard awareness and open communication about safety concerns.

Question 6: What does the 'hierarchy of controls' mean in occupational safety, and how is it applied in arboricultural hazard management?

A ranking system for documenting the severity of injuries in the OSHA incident log by injury type
A systematic prioritization of hazard control methods from most to least effective: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and PPE (Correct answer)
A protocol for determining which crew member has supervisory authority over safety decisions on site
A regulatory checklist specifying the order in which different types of tree work must be completed for maximum safety

Correct answer: A systematic prioritization of hazard control methods from most to least effective: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and PPE

The hierarchy of controls prioritizes hazard reduction from most to least effective: (1) Eliminate the hazard, (2) Substitute with something less hazardous, (3) Engineering controls isolating people from the hazard, (4) Administrative controls changing how work is done, (5) PPE as the last line of defense.

The hierarchy of controls is a fundamental framework in occupational health and safety that provides a systematic approach to selecting hazard controls. It prioritizes controls based on their effectiveness — controls higher in the hierarchy reduce hazard exposure more reliably and completely, while those lower in the hierarchy depend on consistent human behavior and are therefore less reliable. Elimination is the most effective control — physically removing the hazard entirely. In arboriculture, this means not performing work that creates an unacceptable hazard. If a tree near energized lines cannot be safely worked, declining the work is elimination. Removing a dead tree that creates a struck-by hazard rather than pruning it eliminates the ongoing hazard. Substitution replaces a hazardous practice or material with a less hazardous alternative. Using a pole-mounted pruner instead of climbing a high-risk tree substitutes a ground-level tool for an elevated climbing operation. Chip drop (chipping brush immediately without moving it) substitutes efficient direct chipping for moving material multiple times, reducing handling hazards. Engineering controls physically separate workers from hazards through design or equipment modifications. Chipper guards that prevent personnel from entering the in-feed area, ROPS (rollover protection) on chippers and stump grinders, saw scabbards, and rigging blocks that redirect loads away from workers are engineering controls. They are effective because they work without requiring constant human judgment. Administrative controls change work procedures, schedules, or assignments to reduce exposure. Crew rotation to limit chainsaw exposure duration, work scheduling to avoid traffic peaks, buddy systems for hazardous operations, and standardized communication protocols are administrative controls. They are effective only when consistently followed, making training and supervision critical. PPE — hard hats, chainsaw chaps, eye protection, hearing protection, gloves, safety footwear — is the last line of defense, protecting the worker after all other controls have failed. PPE is important and required, but it does not reduce the hazard — it only reduces the consequences of exposure to it. Relying on PPE as the primary control for a manageable hazard indicates inadequate hazard analysis.

Certified Arborist Test Safe Work Practices 3

What does the ANSI Z133 standard require regarding work zone setup when arborists are working adjacent to public roadways?