Certified Arborist Test Safe Work Practices Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An arborist is preparing to fell a medium-sized tree. To ensure the tree falls in the intended direction and to prevent dangerous situations like a 'barber chair', what is the most critical element the arborist must create and maintain during the back cut?
- Adequate and sound hinge wood (Correct answer)
- A back cut that is perfectly level with the face notch
- An escape route cleared at a 90-degree angle to the fell line
- The use of at least two felling wedges
Correct answer: Adequate and sound hinge wood
The hinge is a strip of uncut wood between the notch and the back cut that is critical for controlling the tree's fall. It acts as a steering mechanism, preventing the tree from twisting or falling in an unintended direction. The other options are important safety considerations, but the hinge is the most crucial element for controlling the felling operation.
Question 2: An arborist crew is working near a 25kV primary distribution line, but they are not qualified as line-clearance arborists. According to ANSI Z133 standards, what is the mandatory course of action before any work can begin on a tree that has branches within the minimum approach distance?
- Use only insulated, fiberglass tools to prune the branches.
- Notify the utility company and wait for them to de-energize or shield the lines before proceeding. (Correct answer)
- Work quickly and carefully, ensuring no person or tool comes within 5 feet of the conductor.
- Have a ground worker spot the climber to warn them if they get too close to the line.
Correct answer: Notify the utility company and wait for them to de-energize or shield the lines before proceeding.
ANSI Z133 standards are extremely strict about working near energized conductors. Only qualified line-clearance arborists are permitted to work within the specified minimum approach distances. For all other arborists, the only safe and compliant action is to contact the electric utility to have the hazard eliminated by de-energizing or guarding the lines.
Question 3: When operating a chainsaw for ground operations, which of the following combinations of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required by the ANSI Z133 standard?
- Steel-toed boots, safety glasses, and a long-sleeved shirt.
- A hard hat, leather gloves, and hearing protection.
- Head protection (helmet), eye protection, hearing protection, and cut-resistant leg protection. (Correct answer)
- Chainsaw-resistant boots, a face shield, and a high-visibility vest.
Correct answer: Head protection (helmet), eye protection, hearing protection, and cut-resistant leg protection.
The ANSI Z133 standard mandates a comprehensive set of PPE for ground-based chainsaw operations to protect against multiple hazards. This includes a helmet for head protection, safety glasses or goggles for eye protection, earplugs or muffs for hearing protection, and chainsaw-resistant chaps or pants for leg protection.
Question 4: During a job site safety briefing before starting a tree removal, which topic is a mandatory component according to ANSI Z133 standards?
- A review of the client's invoice and payment terms.
- The estimated time of completion for the project.
- The location of the nearest hardware store for supplies.
- Identification of hazards, work procedures, and emergency response plans. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Identification of hazards, work procedures, and emergency response plans.
ANSI Z133 requires a daily job briefing before work begins to ensure the entire crew understands the specific risks and procedures for the day. This briefing must cover the hazards associated with the job, the specific work plan, assignments for each crew member, and communication and emergency protocols. The other options are related to logistics but are not mandatory safety briefing topics.
Question 5: In tree care rigging, what does the term 'Working Load Limit' (WLL) represent?
- The absolute minimum force at which a new piece of equipment will break.
- The total weight of the rigging components being used in the system.
- The maximum load that should ever be applied to a piece of equipment, as determined by the manufacturer. (Correct answer)
- A rating that is only applicable to ropes and not to hardware like blocks or shackles.
Correct answer: The maximum load that should ever be applied to a piece of equipment, as determined by the manufacturer.
The Working Load Limit (WLL) is the maximum safe force or load that a piece of lifting or rigging equipment is designed to carry during normal use. This value is set by the manufacturer and includes a significant safety factor, meaning it is much lower than the equipment's minimum breaking strength.
Question 6: Which of the following represents a critical safety violation when operating a brush chipper?
- Standing to the side of the infeed hopper when feeding material.
- Using a wooden push paddle to feed in short branches.
- Briefly reversing the feed wheels to clear a jam.
- Wearing gauntlet-style gloves and a hoodie with drawstrings. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Wearing gauntlet-style gloves and a hoodie with drawstrings.
Loose-fitting clothing, drawstrings, and gauntlet-style gloves are explicitly forbidden by ANSI Z133 when operating a chipper because they pose a severe entanglement hazard. These items can be easily caught by the feed mechanism, pulling the operator into the machine. All other options listed are recognized safe operating procedures.
Certified Arborist Test Safe Work Practices Questions and Answers
An arborist is preparing to fell a medium-sized tree.
To ensure the tree falls in the intended direction and to prevent dangerous situations like a 'barber chair', what is the most critical element the arborist must create and maintain during the back cut?