UF - A - SG1: Tree Climbing and Aerial Rescue

• Prepared by

• Inspection Date

  Date
• Location
  Address

2.0 - Planning and Management

• 2.a - Is tree climbing the most appropriate method for carrying out the work?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 2.c - Do operators understand the risk assessment?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 2.e - 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

• Comments

• 2.f - 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

• Comments

• 2.g - Have the control measures specified been carried out?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 2.h - Does the risk assessment process include dealing with emergencies?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 2.i - Are enough personnel present, including provision for rescue?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 2.j - Is the weather suitable for the tasks to be carried out?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 2.k - 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

• Comments

3.0 - Roles and Responsibilities

• 3.a - Do all operators understand their roles and responsibilities?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 3.b - Are operators proficient to carry out their assigned duties?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 3.d - 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

• Comments

4.0 - On-Site Preperation

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 4.b - Has a tree condition assessment been carried out?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 4.c - Have clearly defined drop and working zones been established?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 4.d - Do all operators understand the limits of each zone?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 4.e - 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

• Comments

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 4.g - Is PPE correctly worn and used by every operator in either zone?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

5.0 - Occupational Health

• 5.a - Can everyone on site maintain ‘situational awareness’?<br>Are they fit and well, physically and mentally?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 5.b - Is everyone on site aware of any individual operator’s limitations?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 5.c - 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

• Comments

• 5.d - 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 requirements?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

6.0 - Personal Fall Protection Systems in Tree Work

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 6.b - 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, components and anchor?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 6.c - Are the correct connection points to the harness being used, appropriate to the operation?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

7.0 - A Strategy for Access

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 7.b - 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

• Comments

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

8.0 - Selecting an Ascent Technique

• 8.a - Does the system correctly comprise primary and backup systems?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 8.d - Does the climber use correct rope advance procedures during changeovers?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 8.e - Is the climber correctly anchored to the tree at all times?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 8.g - If spikes are used, is it possible to descend without solely having to spike back down<br>the stem?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

9.0 - Managing Slack and Improving Climber Positioning

• 9.a - Does the climber always remain anchored to the tree structure?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 9.c - Are two high anchors used wherever practical?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 9.d - Has the climber included an adjustable lanyard as part of their system?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

10.0 - Decent

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 10.b - Does the climber check the length of rope before descent?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 10.c - Are the climber’s systems appropriately terminated?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 10.e - Are anchor devices lowered in a controlled manner?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

11.0 - Anchors and Anchor Point Selection

• 11.a - Have operators been trained in anchor point selection?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 11.b - Can the selected anchor support any foreseeable loading?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 11.e - Are climbers using equipment to create anchors in accordance with the<br>manufacturer’s guidance and is it suitable for its intended application?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

12.0 - Equipment: General

• 12.a - Is the equipment provided suited to the task?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

13.0 - Equipment Components: Building a System

• 13.a - Does the selected climbing equipment meet the relevant conformity standard?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 13.b - Are all parts of the climber’s system correctly configured, in accordance with<br>manufacturer’s guidance?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 13.c - Are neighbouring components of the system compatible with each other?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 13.d - Are the standard(s) against which the equipment has been tested identifiable?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

14.0 - Equipment for Tree Access and Rescue

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 14.b - Do the components selected meet technical guidance requirements?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

15.0 - Equipment: Inspection, Care, Storage and Maintenance

• 15.a - Have operators received training in climbing equipment inspection, maintenance and

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 15.c - Are adequate records maintained of equipment issue, inspection, withdrawal and disposal?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

16.0 - Aerial Rescue

• 16.a - Has an adequate rescue plan been prepared for aerial rescue?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 16.b - Are suitable and sufficient resources to make an effective rescue immediately available?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

Notes

• Date of observations:

  Date

• Location:

• Observer’s name:

• Signature:

  Sign

• Who is being observed?

• Comments

• Actions:

• Reference:

• Actions completed date:

  Date

• Confirmed by:

• Signature:

  Sign