Subchapter 7. General Industry Safety Orders
Group 3. General Plant Equipment and Special Operations
Article 12. Tree Work, Maintenance or Removal

§3427. Safe Work Procedures.

(a) Climbing and Access.

(1) Prior to climbing the tree, the employer shall ensure that the tree is visually inspected by a qualified tree worker who shall determine and ensure a safe method of entry into the tree. The location of all electrical conductors and equipment within the work area shall be identified in relation to the work being performed.

(A) Only when a tree cannot be safely accessed by climbing or the use of aerial devices, a qualified tree worker may be hoisted into position by using an approved tree worker's saddle secured to a crane's hook that shall be closed with a positive locking device. The tree worker's saddle shall also be secured to an independent line attached above the crane hook, and the following criteria shall be met:

1. All climbing equipment, lines and rigging shall have a minimum breaking strength of at least 5,000 pounds.

2. The crane boom and load line shall be moved in a slow, controlled, cautious manner with no sudden movements when the qualified tree worker is attached to the crane.

3. The requirements for hoisting employees by crane in a personnel platform contained in Sections 5004(d)(2), (4), (5), (6), and 5004(e) shall apply to the hoisting of a qualified tree worker suspended in an approved tree worker saddle.

4. Cranes used for tree work shall be equipped with a functional load indicating device.

5. The crane operator shall be familiar with the potential hazards and operational techniques encountered in tree work.

6. The qualified tree worker being hoisted shall be in continuous communication with the crane operator, or signals shall be relayed by a qualified signal person as provided in Section 5001.

7. The crane operator shall remain at the controls when the qualified tree worker is attached to the crane.

8. The qualified tree worker shall be detached from the crane while the load is hoisted.

9. The employer shall ensure that the crane operator and qualified tree worker determine the weight of the load being lifted to prevent the crane from being overloaded.

10. The hoisting of a qualified tree worker shall be promptly discontinued upon indication of any dangerous weather conditions or other impending danger. NOTE:1. Other applicable provisions pertaining to crane operations are contained in the General Industry Safety Orders, Group 13, Cranes and Other Hoisting Equipment. NOTE:2. For line clearance tree trimming operations, see Article 38 of the High Voltage Electrical Safety Orders.

(B) Special Training Requirements. The employer shall ensure that every qualified tree worker involved in tree work utilizing a crane to position personnel into a tree under the provisions of Section 3427(a)(1)(A), receives instruction and training on such work and is competent in the following areas:

1. Safe work procedures and knowledge of the hazards applicable to tree work involving the use of cranes.

2. The use of personal protective equipment required for tree work.

3. The inspection and safe use of all climbing equipment, lines and rigging.

4. Crane signals and communication requirements with the crane operator as provided in Section 5001.

5. Instructions regarding electrical hazards as described in Section 3423.

6. The safe use of chain saws in tree work.

7. The conditions and criteria necessary to permit the use of a crane to provide access into a tree.

8. The handling of loads as described in Section 4999 and rigging techniques for tree work.

9. Effective means for controlling pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

(C) Documentation of employee training required by Section 3427(a)(1)(B) shall be maintained as prescribed by Section 3203 of these Orders.

(2) The climbing line must be crotched as soon as practicable after the employee is aloft, and a taut line-hitch tied and checked.

(3) The climbing rope shall be passed around the main leader or a major upright branch of the tree as high as necessary using branches with a wide crotch to prevent any binding of the safety rope. The crotch selected for tying-in shall be over the work area as nearly as possible, but located in such a way that a slip or fall would not permit the employee to come in contact with any electrical conductor, equipment or other hazard. The rope shall be passed around the main leader or an upright branch, using a limb as a stop. Feet, hands, and ropes should, where possible, be kept out of tight-V-shaped crotches.

(4) When working aloft, employees shall be required to wear tree workers' saddles and tie-in with an approved safety strap or rope.

(5) Employees shall remain tied in until the work is completed and they have returned to the ground, unless it is necessary to recrotch.

(b) Pruning and Trimming.

(1) Employees shall be instructed to give an audible warning before a limb is dropped. "Timber," "headache" or "heads up" can be used for this purpose.

(2) A separate line shall be attached to limbs which cannot be dropped or are too heavy to be controlled by hand. The use of the same crotch for both safety rope and work rope shall be avoided.

(3) Cut branches (hangers) shall be removed from the tree prior to leaving the job site.

(4) With the exception of minor tree trimming, at operations involving tree maintenance or removal, a second employee shall be used at each work location to render immediate assistance.

(c) Felling.

(1) The work area shall be cleared to permit safe working conditions, and an escape route shall be planned before any cutting is started.

(2) A notch and backcut shall be used in felling trees over 10 inches in diameter.

(3) Just before the tree is ready to fall, an audible warning shall be given to those in the area. All personnel in the vicinity shall be safely out of range.

   Note: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code.

 HISTORY 

   

1. Amendment filed 8-8-85; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 85, No. 32).

2. Amendment of subsections (a)-(a)(1), new subsection (a)(2) and subsection renumbering filed 4-1-2004; operative 4-1-2004 pursuant to  Government Codesection 11343.4(c) (Register 2004, No. 14).

3. Amendment of subsection (a)(1), new subsections (a)(1)(A)-(a)(1)(A)8., repealer of former subsection (a)(2) and subsection renumbering filed 4-29-2004 as an emergency; operative 4-29-2004 (Register 2004, No. 18). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 8-27-2004 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.

4. Amendment of subsection (a)(1), new subsections (a)(1)(A)-(a)(1)(A)8., repealer of former subsection (a)(2) and subsection renumbering refiled 8-26-2004 as an emergency; operative 8-26-2004 (Register 2004, No. 35). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 12-24-2004 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.

5. Certificate of Compliance as to 8-26-2004 order, including further amendment of subsections (a)(1)-(a)(1)(A)1., new subsections (a)(1)(A)4.-5., subsection renumbering and new subsections (a)(1)(B)-(C), transmitted to OAL 12-17-2004 and filed 1-24-2005 (Register 2005, No. 4).