ASWP03 Ascending Trees
potential anchor point
Ensure Emergency Response Plan is
in place
Ensure a second person is available to initiate the
emergency response plan
Ensure that emergency contact information is
recorded on the job plan (e.g. emergency phone
#s, directions to the work site, etc.)
Inspect immediate work site on
ground and identify Drop Zone
Identify hazards related to:
Traffic conditions (pedestrian and vehicular)
Ground around tree (i.e. sloping or uneven terrain;
general topography, buildings, sidewalks, fences,
individual obstacles and other structures, etc.)
Environmental conditions such as: weather,
temperature, light, visibility, animals (wild and
domestic) and biotic conditions (poison ivy)
Determine appropriate barriers for
the hazards identified
Set up appropriate barriers for each hazard
4.2 Tree Structure Assessment
As part of the job planning process a thorough risk assessment of the structural integrity of the
tree must be performed. The process allows a climber to determine whether the tree is safe to
climb. This includes determining structural strength of the anchor locations.
Note: In arboriculture, diagnosing the structural strength of a tree is an inexact science. The
arborist relies on knowledge and experience gained through formal training programs and
related field experience to make a determination of the structural integrity of the tree.
Step Action
Determine work to be performed
During the assessment process, consideration
must be given to the type of work to be performed
(e.g. heavy loading of branches or the stem of the
tree)
Assess root structure
Visually inspect root system for visible decay or
indication of decay such as:
• Fungal fruiting bodies
• Grade changes
• Extensive excavation
• Circumferential soil cracking
• Protruding root plate, etc.
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