TPT Arboricultural Association Safety Guide 1- Audit

• Conducted on

  Date

• Observers Name

• Detail of Site Location

• Location
  Address

1.0 Planning and Management

• Is tree climbing the most appropriate method for carrying out the work?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Has a suitable and sufficient recorded site-specific risk assessment been carried out?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do operators understand the risk assessment?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there an opportunity for everyone on site to contribute to the site-specific risk assessment on the day of the works

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are operators fully aware of the hazards and risks they are exposed to during the specific tree work at height task?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do operators know the control measures they must implement to ensure safe working and in turn create the safe system of work for carrying out the tree work?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Have the control measures specified been carried out?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Does the risk assessment process include dealing with emergencies?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are enough personnel present, including provision for rescue?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the weather suitable for the tasks to be carried out?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Has enough time been allocated to allow the work to be carried out safely and without applying undue pressure on the operational team?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

2.0 Roles and Responsibilities

• Do all operators understand their roles and responsibilities?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are operators proficient to carry out their assigned duties?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there appropriate supervision in place to manage the tree work at height operation?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Does everyone on site understand the communication method between climbers and ground staff? Is it clear, unambiguous and agreed by all?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

3.0 On-site Preparation

• Have hazards and risks identified by the site-specific risk assessment process been adequately addressed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Has a tree condition assessment been carried out?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Have clearly defined drop and working zones been established?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do all operators understand the limits of each zone?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there established procedures in place (1) for when someone wants to enter a drop zone; (2) for materials to be dropped into a drop zone; and (3) when handling equipment above the drop zone?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the extent of the work zone clear with adequate demarcation in place to prevent unauthorised access?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is PPE correctly worn and used by every operator in either zone?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

4.0 Occupational Health

• Can everyone on site maintain ‘situational awareness’? Are they fit and well, physically and mentally?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is everyone on site aware of any individual operator’s limitations?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Does anyone on site require increased protection from, or reduced exposure duration to, a particular hazard which may affect their health? If so, has this been implemented?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do the techniques selected for use minimise the risk of muscular-skeletal disorders and fatigue? Has equipment been chosen to meet the operator’s ergonomic<br>requirements?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

5.0 Personal Fall Protection Systems in Tree Work

• Has the climber elected to use a system that allows them to ascend, move around the tree and descend appropriately?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Does the system correctly comprise a primary system and backup, and does the backup provide protection against failure of the primary system, including main line,<br>components and anchor?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are the correct connection points to the harness being used, appropriate to the operation?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Have all the working considerations for using a personal fall protection system been taken into account by the climber?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

6.0 A Strategy for Access

• Do the methods selected take into account: the tree condition assessment, climbers’ abilities, training, surrounding features and tree structure?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Have all aspects of the chosen access method and ascent technique been discussed and agreed as a safe method of working by the team?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the work team familiar with the techniques to be used to allow an effective rescue to take place?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

7.0 Selecting an Ascent Technique

• Does the system correctly comprise primary and backup systems?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Does the climber have the appropriate knowledge to safely ascend and descend on their chosen system?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• When an ascent technique is used, are the distance and consequences of a fall minimised?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Does the climber use correct rope advance procedures during changeovers?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the climber correctly anchored to the tree at all times?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are newly established anchors subjected to a full-body-weight test where practical?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• If spikes are used, is it possible to descend without solely having to spike back down the stem?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

8.0 Managing Slack and Improving Climber Positioning

• Does the climber always remain anchored to the tree structure?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Does the climber ensure that the fall protection system does not allow a potential fall distance to exceed 500mm?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are two high anchors used wherever practical?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Has the climber included an adjustable lanyard as part of their system?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Does the climber use their fall protection system appropriately to reduce the risk of pendulum swing?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

9.0 Descent

• Does the climber’s primary system allow for an uninterrupted descent to the ground?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Does the climber check the length of rope before descent?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are the climber’s systems appropriately terminated?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is descent carried out in a controlled manner that minimises risk to the climber and potential equipment damage?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are anchor devices lowered in a controlled manner?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Yes

  No

  N/A

10.0 Anchors and Anchor Point Selection

• Have operators been trained in anchor point selection?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Can the selected anchor support any foreseeable loading?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Have anchors been fully load-tested prior to ascent?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Have load-bearing anchors within the tree been subjected to full-body-weight tests?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are climbers using equipment to create anchors in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidance and is it suitable for its intended application?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

11.0 Equipment: General

• Is the equipment provided suited to the task?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Does everyone on site have the correct PPE and is it in good condition?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Yes

  No

  N/A

12.0 Equipment Components: Building a System

• Does the selected climbing equipment meet the relevant conformity standard?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all parts of the climber’s system correctly configured, in accordance with manufacturer’s guidance?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are neighbouring components of the system compatible with each other?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are the standard(s) against which the equipment has been tested identifiable?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Yes

  No

  N/A

13.0 Equipment for Tree Access and Rescue

• Are the components of the fall protection system being used correctly in accordance with manufacturer’s guidance?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do the components selected meet technical guidance requirements?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

14.0 Equipment: Inspection, Care, Storage and Maintenance

• Have operators received training in climbing equipment inspection, maintenance and record-keeping?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do specific users of equipment understand manufacturer’s recommendations for product lifespan, maintenance and storage?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are adequate records maintained of equipment issue, inspection, withdrawal and disposal?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are visual and tactile pre-use checks carried out to a proficient standard?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

15.0 Aerial Rescue

• Has an adequate rescue plan been prepared for aerial rescue?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are suitable and sufficient resources to make an effective rescue immediately available?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Has the nominated rescuer(s) received training in rescue techniques and the equipment to be used?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Does everyone understand their role and responsibility in the event of an aerial rescue?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Have the nominated rescuer and the operatives involved practised rescue techniques at regular intervals to maintain skills?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Can the casualty be removed from the tree safely without risk of injury to the rescuer?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Yes

  No

  N/A

Completion

• Who is being observed?

• Comments

Actions

• Are there any actions required?

  Select Yes No N/A

  • Yes
  • No
  • N/A

• Signature:

  Sign