CTSP CTSP Struck-By and Falling Object Hazards 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does 'brushing out' a tree work area mean and why is it required?
- Cleaning sap and pitch off cutting equipment after use
- Clearing undergrowth and debris to create safe footing and unobstructed escape routes (Correct answer)
- Trimming small branches from the lower canopy before climbing
- Applying herbicide around the base of the work zone
Correct answer: Clearing undergrowth and debris to create safe footing and unobstructed escape routes
Brushing out means removing undergrowth, debris, and obstacles from the work area to ensure safe footing and clear escape routes before work begins.
Question 2: Which of the following best defines a 'widow maker' as used in tree care safety?
- Any very large tree that requires a crew of four or more workers to safely remove
- A dead, broken, or loosely attached overhead branch that can fall without warning (Correct answer)
- A specific type of chainsaw associated with high kickback frequency
- A tree leaning heavily toward an occupied structure or utility lines
Correct answer: A dead, broken, or loosely attached overhead branch that can fall without warning
A widow maker is a dead, broken, or loosely attached overhead limb that can fall without warning, posing a serious struck-by hazard to workers below.
Question 3: At what point during a tree felling operation should the feller call out 'timber'?
- When the saw completes the back cut through the hinge
- As soon as the tree begins to move and fall (Correct answer)
- Only after the tree has fully contacted the ground
- Before beginning any cuts to alert the crew
Correct answer: As soon as the tree begins to move and fall
'Timber' should be called as soon as the tree begins to fall to give all nearby workers time to move to their escape routes.
Question 4: What is the function of the face cut (notch) in directional tree felling?
- To severely weaken the tree so it falls more quickly when the back cut is made
- To control the direction of fall by creating a hinge that guides the tree (Correct answer)
- To remove bark and outer wood before beginning the main felling cut
- To reduce the tree's overall weight before it begins to fall
Correct answer: To control the direction of fall by creating a hinge that guides the tree
The face cut (notch) creates the hinge that guides the tree's direction of fall and prevents it from splitting prematurely during the felling process.
Question 5: Which regulatory framework most directly governs arboricultural operations and tree care safety in the US when no specific OSHA standard exists?
- 29 CFR 1926 Subpart R (Steel Erection)
- 29 CFR 1910.269 (Electric Power Generation)
- ANSI Z133 Safety Requirements for Arboricultural Operations (Correct answer)
- NFPA 70E Standard for Electrical Safety
Correct answer: ANSI Z133 Safety Requirements for Arboricultural Operations
ANSI Z133 is the recognized industry consensus standard for arboricultural operations; OSHA applies its General Duty Clause in the absence of a specific tree care standard.
Question 6: What is the significance of the 'hinge' in tree felling, and what is the generally recommended hinge thickness?
- The hinge connects rigging hardware to the tree and should be 2 inches thick
- The uncut wood between the face and back cuts controls the direction and speed of fall and should be approximately 10% of the tree's diameter (Correct answer)
- The hinge is the final cut made to drop the tree and should equal 50% of the tree's diameter
- The hinge refers to a mechanical tool used to guide the tree's fall
Correct answer: The uncut wood between the face and back cuts controls the direction and speed of fall and should be approximately 10% of the tree's diameter
The hinge is the uncut wood that controls direction and rate of fall; a properly sized hinge of approximately 10% of the tree's diameter provides the necessary control.
CTSP CTSP Struck-By and Falling Object Hazards 2
What does 'brushing out' a tree work area mean and why is it required?