CTSP CTSP Struck-By and Falling Object Hazards 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A climber notices a large dead branch (widow maker) above their planned work area. What is the CORRECT first action?
- Remove the hazard branch before proceeding with the primary work (Correct answer)
- Continue work but stay to the side of the hazard
- Notify the ground crew to watch for falling material
- Install a hard hat with a face shield and continue
Correct answer: Remove the hazard branch before proceeding with the primary work
Widow makers must be addressed before work proceeds in that area because they can fall unpredictably and no PPE fully mitigates the risk.
Question 2: Which condition makes a wood chunk ejected from a chipper MOST dangerous as a struck-by projectile?
- High drum speed combined with hard, dry wood and a jammed infeed (Correct answer)
- Low ambient temperature causing wood to become brittle
- Wet wood with high moisture content
- Using the chipper on a slope greater than 5 degrees
Correct answer: High drum speed combined with hard, dry wood and a jammed infeed
High drum speed, hard dry wood, and a jammed infeed can cause explosive ejection of material at dangerous velocities.
Question 3: When using a friction saver to lower a large section of trunk, what is the MOST important factor in preventing an uncontrolled fall that could strike workers?
- Ensuring the ground crew maintains a safe position off to the side while tending the lowering line (Correct answer)
- Using a larger diameter rope for increased strength
- Attaching the friction saver as high as possible on the trunk
- Cutting the section into smaller pieces before rigging
Correct answer: Ensuring the ground crew maintains a safe position off to the side while tending the lowering line
Ground crew positioning to the side of the load's path prevents struck-by injury if the rigging system fails or the load swings unexpectedly.
Question 4: A tree worker is injured when a section of wood rolls off a brush pile and strikes their foot. Which hazard category does this incident fall under?
- Struck-by from rolling or sliding objects (Correct answer)
- Caught-in/between from an unstable pile
- Slip, trip, and fall from uneven terrain
- Ergonomic injury from manual material handling
Correct answer: Struck-by from rolling or sliding objects
Rolling or sliding objects that contact a worker are classified as struck-by hazards, even if the objects are not falling from height.
Question 5: What is the MOST effective engineering control to prevent struck-by injuries from falling branches during aerial lift operations?
- Positioning the aerial lift so the basket is offset from the work area and using rigging to direct falling material away from personnel below (Correct answer)
- Requiring all ground crew to wear hard hats rated for falling objects
- Scheduling aerial lift work only during low-wind conditions
- Limiting removal to branches smaller than 4 inches in diameter
Correct answer: Positioning the aerial lift so the basket is offset from the work area and using rigging to direct falling material away from personnel below
Engineering controls that direct falling material away from personnel are more effective than PPE at preventing struck-by injuries.
Question 6: A tree crew is working in a residential yard with children present on an adjacent property. Under ANSI Z133, what is the crew's responsibility?
- Establish and enforce a hazard zone that prevents bystanders from entering, regardless of property lines (Correct answer)
- Post verbal warnings and continue work if the children remain on their property
- Stop work only if children cross onto the work property
- Rely on the homeowner to keep neighbors away
Correct answer: Establish and enforce a hazard zone that prevents bystanders from entering, regardless of property lines
ANSI Z133 places the responsibility on the tree crew to establish and maintain bystander exclusion zones regardless of property boundaries.
Question 7: Which type of PPE provides the BEST protection against struck-by injuries from small wood chips and debris for a ground worker near chipping operations?
- Safety glasses or goggles combined with a hard hat and face shield (Correct answer)
- A hard hat alone rated to ANSI Z89.1
- High-visibility vest with reflective trim
- Leather work gloves and steel-toed boots only
Correct answer: Safety glasses or goggles combined with a hard hat and face shield
Eye and face protection combined with head protection addresses both the trajectory and energy of debris ejected during chipping operations.
CTSP CTSP Struck-By and Falling Object Hazards 5
A climber notices a large dead branch (widow maker) above their planned work area.
What is the CORRECT first action?