ISA Arborist Safety and Standards 3 — Questions and Answers

Question 1: What is a 'competent person' as defined by OSHA in the context of tree care operations?

Any person who holds an ISA certification
A person who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the workplace and who has the authority to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them (Correct answer)
The owner of the tree care company
Any person with more than 5 years of experience in tree care

Correct answer: A person who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the workplace and who has the authority to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them

OSHA defines a competent person as someone who can identify existing and foreseeable hazards in the work environment and has the authority and responsibility to take immediate corrective action. This is a functional definition based on knowledge and authority, not certification alone.

The OSHA definition of 'competent person' appears throughout safety regulations and has specific legal meaning. It requires two elements: the ability to identify existing and predictable hazards (through training, experience, and knowledge), AND the authority to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate hazards (organizational empowerment to stop work, modify procedures, or implement controls). In tree care, the competent person must recognize hazards such as electrical conductors, structural tree defects, rigging overloads, unstable ground conditions, and equipment malfunctions. Critically, they must also have the authority to stop work, redirect operations, or implement additional safety measures without waiting for management approval. This is why field crew leaders must be both knowledgeable and empowered. A worker who identifies a hazard but lacks authority to act is not a competent person. The competent person designation carries significant legal responsibility — failure to identify a foreseeable hazard can result in personal and company liability.

Question 2: What are the key requirements for tree care workers performing chipper operations according to ANSI Z133?

Chippers can be operated by anyone on the crew without specific training
Operators must be trained on the specific machine, feed from the curbside when possible, not wear loose clothing that could be caught, never reach into the feed hopper, and maintain proper infeed clearance (Correct answer)
Only CDL-licensed drivers may operate chippers
Chippers only require safety procedures when processing branches larger than 6 inches

Correct answer: Operators must be trained on the specific machine, feed from the curbside when possible, not wear loose clothing that could be caught, never reach into the feed hopper, and maintain proper infeed clearance

ANSI Z133 requires chipper operators to be specifically trained, to feed from the curbside (away from traffic), to avoid loose clothing/jewelry that could entangle in feed mechanisms, to never reach past the feed table, and to maintain proper procedures for all material regardless of size.

Wood chipper injuries and fatalities, while less common than falls or electrocutions, are among the most catastrophic in the tree care industry due to the machine's tremendous power. ANSI Z133 safety requirements include: operator training on the specific make and model being used, including emergency shutdown procedures; feeding from the curbside (positioning the operator away from traffic and with clear sight lines); never wearing loose clothing, scarves, lanyards, or unrestrained hair that could be caught by rotating components; never reaching past the feed table or infeed hopper while the machine is running; maintaining a safe distance from the feed wheels when material is being pulled in; ensuring all guards and safety devices are in place and functional before operation; using a lockout/tagout procedure for maintenance and clearing jams; and maintaining clear communication with crew members who are feeding material. The bottom feed area creates particularly dangerous pull-in hazards, and operators must be trained to recognize when material begins to pull in unexpectedly.

Question 3: How does OSHA's General Duty Clause apply to tree care operations?

It only applies to manufacturing and construction, not tree care
It requires employers to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm, even when no specific OSHA standard addresses the particular hazard (Correct answer)
It only applies to companies with more than 50 employees
It exempts outdoor work from OSHA oversight

Correct answer: It requires employers to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm, even when no specific OSHA standard addresses the particular hazard

Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act, the General Duty Clause, requires all employers to provide employment free from recognized hazards causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm. This applies when no specific OSHA standard covers the hazard.

The General Duty Clause (Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act) is OSHA's broadest enforcement tool. While specific OSHA standards address many tree care hazards (electrical, fall protection, chainsaw operation, respiratory protection), the tree care industry involves numerous hazardous situations not covered by specific standards. The General Duty Clause requires employers to identify and mitigate any recognized hazard — including those identified by industry consensus standards like ANSI Z133 — that could cause death or serious injury. OSHA can cite employers under the General Duty Clause for hazards such as: failure to perform aerial rescue when a climber is incapacitated, unsafe rigging practices that could drop limbs on workers, inadequate traffic control during roadside operations, or failing to assess tree structural stability before climbing. To issue a General Duty Clause citation, OSHA must show: the hazard was recognized (by the employer or the industry), employees were exposed, the hazard was likely to cause serious harm, and a feasible means to correct it existed.

Question 4: What are the fundamental principles of tree work traffic management when operating on or near roadways?

Traffic management is the responsibility of the local police, not the tree crew
Establish a traffic control zone using advance warning signs, channelizing devices, and flaggers as needed; follow the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) guidelines; and ensure all crew members wear high-visibility clothing (Correct answer)
Simply parking the chipper truck on the road provides sufficient traffic control
Traffic cones are optional for tree work less than 30 minutes in duration

Correct answer: Establish a traffic control zone using advance warning signs, channelizing devices, and flaggers as needed; follow the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) guidelines; and ensure all crew members wear high-visibility clothing

Roadside tree operations require a formal traffic control zone: advance warning signs to alert approaching drivers, channelizing devices to direct traffic around the work area, flaggers when needed, and high-visibility apparel for all workers — all per MUTCD standards.

Vehicle strikes are a significant hazard in roadside tree operations. The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) provides the national standard for temporary traffic control in work zones. Key elements include: advance warning signs (placed at appropriate distances based on road speed to alert approaching traffic); transition area (tapers of cones or barricades that guide traffic around the work space); buffer zone (empty space between traffic flow and workers for errant vehicle protection); activity area (the actual work zone where workers and equipment operate); termination area (where traffic returns to normal flow). All workers within the right-of-way must wear ANSI/ISEA Class 2 or 3 high-visibility apparel. Flaggers may be needed when traffic must be alternated on two-lane roads. Many jurisdictions require permits and specific traffic control plans for roadside tree work. The tree care company is responsible for proper traffic control regardless of who owns the trees — this is both a legal requirement and a fundamental crew safety obligation.

Question 5: What is the significance of maintaining daily equipment inspection logs for tree care operations?

Logs are only needed for new equipment during the warranty period
Daily inspection logs document that safety checks were performed, identify maintenance needs before failures occur, demonstrate due diligence in legal proceedings, and create an accountability trail for equipment condition (Correct answer)
Equipment logs are only required by large companies
Inspection logs are a recommendation, not a meaningful safety practice

Correct answer: Daily inspection logs document that safety checks were performed, identify maintenance needs before failures occur, demonstrate due diligence in legal proceedings, and create an accountability trail for equipment condition

Daily equipment inspection logs serve multiple functions: they ensure systematic safety checks catch developing problems before failure, they document the company's safety commitment for legal and insurance purposes, and they create accountability for equipment condition.

Equipment failure in tree care can have catastrophic consequences: a frayed climbing line, a worn chipper feed mechanism, a leaking hydraulic system on an aerial device, or a dull chainsaw chain all create hazards. Daily pre-use inspection is required by ANSI Z133 for most equipment. Inspection logs document that these checks occurred and record the equipment's condition. The benefits are multifaceted: safety — systematic inspection identifies wear, damage, or developing failures before they cause incidents; maintenance — tracking equipment condition over time reveals patterns that guide preventive maintenance schedules; legal — in litigation following an incident, documented daily inspections demonstrate that the company exercised reasonable care; insurance — many insurance carriers require inspection documentation; accountability — when specific individuals sign inspection logs, personal responsibility for equipment condition is established; and fleet management — inspection records support decisions about equipment repair versus replacement. Key items to log include: ropes and slings (wear, contamination, damage), chainsaws (chain tension, bar condition, safety features), aerial devices (hydraulics, controls, outriggers), chippers (feed mechanism, disc/drum condition, guards), and vehicles (brakes, tires, signals).

Question 6: What professional ethical obligations does an ISA Certified Arborist have to the public and the trees they serve?

ISA certification carries no ethical obligations beyond legal requirements
ISA Certified Arborists are bound by a Code of Ethics requiring honest representation of qualifications, science-based recommendations, continued professional development, and commitment to tree preservation when feasible (Correct answer)
Ethical obligations apply only to municipal arborists, not private practitioners
The only obligation is to complete continuing education credits

Correct answer: ISA Certified Arborists are bound by a Code of Ethics requiring honest representation of qualifications, science-based recommendations, continued professional development, and commitment to tree preservation when feasible

ISA Certified Arborists agree to a professional Code of Ethics that requires honest communication, science-based practice, continued competency through education, avoidance of harmful practices, and responsible stewardship of trees and the urban forest.

The ISA Code of Ethics establishes professional conduct standards for certified arborists. Key principles include: strive to provide tree care of the highest quality, based on current scientific knowledge and accepted industry practices; recommend only those practices and procedures that are beneficial to the tree and appropriate for the situation; honestly represent qualifications, capabilities, and the scope of services; maintain and improve professional competence through continuing education and staying current with research; avoid practices known to be harmful to trees or the environment; refuse to recommend or perform unnecessary work; communicate clearly and honestly with clients about tree conditions, options, and costs; respect the work and opinions of colleagues; and contribute to the advancement of the profession. Violation of the Code of Ethics can result in suspension or revocation of ISA certification. These ethical obligations distinguish a certified professional from an uncertified tree worker — the certification represents not just knowledge, but a commitment to professional standards and responsible practice.

ISA Arborist Safety and Standards 3

What is a 'competent person' as defined by OSHA in the context of tree care operations?