CTSP - Certified Treecare Safety Professional Hazard and Risk Assessment Questions and Answers

Question 1

Which of the following best defines the term 'risk' in the context of arboricultural hazard assessment?

Accepted Answer

The combination of the likelihood of a tree failure occurring and the severity of the potential consequences.

Answer

Risk is the calculation that combines the probability of an event (like a tree part failing) with the severity of the outcome (injury or property damage). A hazard is merely the potential source of harm, but risk quantifies the likelihood and consequence.

Question 2

A tree care crew is preparing to remove a large, dead oak tree located next to a busy sidewalk and a public park. According to ANSI Z133 standards, what is the first critical step in their job-site hazard assessment?

Accepted Answer

Conducting a pre-work briefing to discuss hazards, work procedures, and establish a work zone.

Answer

Before any work begins, ANSI Z133 standards mandate a job briefing. This meeting is essential for all crew members to understand the scope of work, identify all potential hazards (the tree's condition, targets like the sidewalk and park, etc.), and agree on the safety procedures and controls to be used.

Question 3

When performing a tree risk assessment, for a significant risk to exist, there must be a tree with a defect and what other critical component?

Accepted Answer

A target.

Answer

For risk to exist, there must be a combination of a hazard (the defective tree or tree part) and a target (people, property, or activities that could be damaged or injured if the tree fails). Without a target, there is no risk, even if the tree has a high likelihood of failure.

Question 4

According to OSHA and ANSI Z133 standards, a comprehensive job-site hazard analysis for a tree pruning operation should include an assessment of which of the following categories?

Accepted Answer

The health of the tree, site conditions, and necessary equipment and PPE.

Answer

A complete hazard assessment is multi-faceted. It must include an inspection of the tree itself for structural issues, an evaluation of the surrounding site for hazards like power lines or uneven ground, and a verification that all tools, equipment, and personal protective equipment (PPE) are appropriate and in safe working order.

Question 5

A CTSP is observing a crew setting up for a removal. The crew identifies a large, detached branch hung up in the canopy (a 'widow maker'). How should this specific hazard be classified?

Accepted Answer

An imminent danger hazard.

Answer

A 'widow maker,' or any large, detached limb caught in a tree, is considered an imminent danger hazard. It is unstable and could fall at any moment without warning, posing a direct and immediate threat to anyone below. This type of hazard must be addressed with extreme caution and prioritized before other work commences underneath it.

CTSP - Certified Treecare Safety Professional Practice Test

CTSP - Certified Treecare Safety Professional Practice Test

CTSP - Certified Treecare Safety Professional Hazard and Risk Assessment Questions and Answers