CTSP First Aid, CPR, and Site Emergency Action Plans — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to ANSI Z133, what is the minimum first aid and CPR training requirement for a tree care crew operating in the field?
- Every crew member must hold current first aid and CPR certification
- At least one person on every crew must hold current first aid and CPR certification (Correct answer)
- The crew leader must be a licensed EMT
- First aid training is recommended but not required by the standard
Correct answer: At least one person on every crew must hold current first aid and CPR certification
ANSI Z133 requires that at least one person on every working crew hold current first aid and CPR certification. This ensures that someone on site can respond to a medical emergency before professional responders arrive, which is critical given the remote locations where tree care work often occurs.
Question 2: Which element is REQUIRED to be included in a site-specific Emergency Action Plan (EAP) for a tree care operation?
- A pre-approved budget for medical costs
- The specific nearest hospital and access route from the work site (Correct answer)
- A list of competitors who operate in the area
- The owner's insurance policy number
Correct answer: The specific nearest hospital and access route from the work site
An EAP must include the location of the nearest hospital and the specific route to get there from the job site. In remote or unfamiliar areas, identifying this route before work begins prevents critical delays when a worker is seriously injured. Other required elements include emergency contact numbers and crew assembly points.
Question 3: A crew member is struck by a falling branch and is unconscious but breathing. Before emergency services arrive, which action represents the correct immediate response?
- Move the worker to a flat surface immediately to check for broken bones
- Administer CPR regardless of whether the worker is breathing
- Stabilize the worker's head and neck, call 911, and monitor breathing (Correct answer)
- Give the worker water and keep them talking to maintain consciousness
Correct answer: Stabilize the worker's head and neck, call 911, and monitor breathing
An unconscious trauma victim may have a spinal injury. The correct response is to stabilize the head and neck (avoiding unnecessary movement), call 911, and continuously monitor the airway and breathing. Moving the victim without proper spinal precautions can worsen a spinal injury.
Question 4: What is the primary reason that tree care operations should communicate site location details to emergency dispatch BEFORE a medical emergency occurs, rather than only during one?
- OSHA requires pre-registration of all outdoor work sites with local fire departments
- Job sites are often in locations without clear addresses, making it difficult to direct responders under stress (Correct answer)
- Insurance companies require pre-notification for liability coverage to apply
- It allows dispatch to pre-bill the company for potential EMS services
Correct answer: Job sites are often in locations without clear addresses, making it difficult to direct responders under stress
Tree care work frequently occurs in locations without conventional street addresses — wooded properties, rural roads, or large parcels. Pre-identifying the site location, landmarks, and best access route ensures that emergency responders can find the site quickly, which is critical when minutes matter.
Question 5: After using an AED (automated external defibrillator) on a victim at a tree care site, what should the rescuer do while waiting for EMS to arrive?
- Remove the AED pads to make the victim more comfortable
- Continue to follow AED prompts and maintain CPR cycles as directed by the device (Correct answer)
- Turn off the AED to preserve battery life
- Administer water if the victim regains consciousness
Correct answer: Continue to follow AED prompts and maintain CPR cycles as directed by the device
AEDs provide continuous monitoring and guidance. The rescuer should leave pads in place, keep the AED powered on, and follow its voice prompts — which may include delivering additional shocks or resuming CPR. The AED remains active management support until EMS personnel take over.
Question 6: Under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.151, how does work-site distance from emergency medical services affect an employer's first aid obligations?
- Distance has no bearing on first aid obligations — requirements are the same everywhere
- In the absence of an infirmary or clinic in near proximity to the workplace, a person trained in first aid must be available (Correct answer)
- Employers more than 10 miles from a hospital are exempt from first aid requirements
- Only employers with more than 25 employees must maintain first aid capability on remote sites
Correct answer: In the absence of an infirmary or clinic in near proximity to the workplace, a person trained in first aid must be available
OSHA 1910.151 states that where the eyes or body of any person may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials, or where a first aid need is likely, first aid supplies must be readily available. The key principle is that when emergency medical services are not in near proximity, the employer must ensure a trained first aid person is on site — a standard that directly applies to tree care operations in remote areas.
