ISA Arborist Safety and Standards 3

Question 1

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

Accepted 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

Answer

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.

Question 2

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

Accepted 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

Answer

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.

Question 3

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

Accepted 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

Answer

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.

Question 4

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

Accepted 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

Answer

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.

Question 5

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

Accepted 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

Answer

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.

(ISA) ISA Certified Arborist Practice Test

(ISA) ISA Certified Arborist Practice Test

ISA Arborist Safety and Standards 3