CTSP Incident Prevention and Response 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A crew member suffers a deep laceration to the forearm from a chainsaw. After calling 911, the CORRECT first-aid response is to:
- Apply a tourniquet above the elbow immediately
- Apply direct pressure with a clean cloth and elevate the arm (Correct answer)
- Rinse the wound with water and apply antiseptic spray
- Bandage loosely and have the worker walk to the truck
Correct answer: Apply direct pressure with a clean cloth and elevate the arm
Direct pressure and elevation are the standard first-aid steps to control bleeding from a laceration before EMS arrives.
Question 2: ANSI Z133 requires that a minimum of how many workers be present when using a chainsaw aloft?
- One (the climber alone is sufficient)
- Two (climber plus one ground worker) (Correct answer)
- Three (climber plus two ground workers)
- Four (climber plus three ground workers)
Correct answer: Two (climber plus one ground worker)
ANSI Z133 mandates a minimum crew of two so there is always someone on the ground to assist in an emergency.
Question 3: Which document should be completed and filed after EVERY incident or near-miss on a tree care job site?
- Workers' compensation claim form
- Incident investigation report (Correct answer)
- OSHA Form 301 only if a recordable injury occurs
- Equipment maintenance log
Correct answer: Incident investigation report
An incident investigation report captures details of both injuries and near-misses to support root-cause analysis and prevention.
Question 4: Which factor is MOST commonly identified as a root cause in tree care fatality investigations?
- Defective personal protective equipment
- Failure to recognize and control struck-by hazards (Correct answer)
- Inadequate tool maintenance
- Insufficient crew size
Correct answer: Failure to recognize and control struck-by hazards
Struck-by events—particularly from falling trees and limbs—are the leading cause of arborist fatalities and usually result from unrecognized hazards.
Question 5: When performing a tailgate safety meeting before a job, the crew leader should ensure that:
- The meeting lasts at least 30 minutes to be effective
- All crew members acknowledge understanding and sign an attendance record (Correct answer)
- The meeting focuses only on the hazards from the previous job
- Only supervisors speak to avoid confusion
Correct answer: All crew members acknowledge understanding and sign an attendance record
Documenting attendance confirms that all workers received the safety briefing, which supports accountability and legal compliance.
Question 6: A tree care company's Emergency Action Plan (EAP) MUST include:
- A list of all employees' home addresses
- Procedures for reporting fires and emergencies, and evacuation routes (Correct answer)
- Copies of all workers' first-aid certifications
- Daily weather forecasts for the work area
Correct answer: Procedures for reporting fires and emergencies, and evacuation routes
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.38 requires the EAP to address emergency reporting procedures and evacuation procedures at minimum.
Question 7: What is the recommended minimum safe retreat distance from the intended felling direction once the back cut begins?
- 5 feet at a 45-degree angle away from the fell direction
- 10 feet directly behind the tree
- Two tree-lengths to the rear
- 15 feet at a 45-degree angle away from the fell direction, behind the stump (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 15 feet at a 45-degree angle away from the fell direction, behind the stump
Retreating at least 15 feet to the rear at a 45-degree angle from the fall direction protects against kickback and butt movement.
CTSP Incident Prevention and Response 3
A crew member suffers a deep laceration to the forearm from a chainsaw.
After calling 911, the CORRECT first-aid response is to: