UF - A - SG2: Use of Tools in the Tree

• Prepared by

• Inspection date

  Date
• Location
  Address

2.0 - Planning

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 2.g - Has enough time been allocated to allow the work to be carried out safely and without putting undue pressure on the operational team?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 2.h - Are wildlife considerations included as part of the site-specific risk assessment process?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 2.i - Are proactive biosecurity measures being implemented by the operational team?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 2.j Are all operators aware of the extent of the drop zone and the procedures in place for managing entry to it?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 2.k - Is a command-and-response-type communication procedure in place and being used effectively?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

3.0 - Work Quality

• 3.a - Can operators correctly interpret work specifications?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 3.b - Does the standard of work carried out by operators meet the specification and is it carried out in accordance with the instructing party’s requirements?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 3.c - Is there demonstrable evidence – such as site safety audits – to show operators are working in accordance with good practice?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

4.0 - Work Equipment

• 4.a - Is a suitable range of work equipment available for operators to use?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 4.b - Where practical, has equipment been selected to minimise risk to the operator?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 4.c - Is the equipment selected appropriate to the task to be carried out?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 4.d - Are operators adequately trained to use the equipment required for the task?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

5.0 - Inspection and Maintenance of Work Equipment

• 5.a - Is machinery free from defect and safe to operate?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 5.b - Are safety features present, intact and functioning?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 5.c - Has a suitable and sufficient inspection of machinery been carried out?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 5.d - Has maintenance been carried out in line with manufacturer’s guidance?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

6.0 - PPE Selection for Cutting Tools

• 6.a - Are operators wearing PPE appropriate to the equipment they are using?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 6.b - Is the PPE in use clearly labelled to show it has been manufactured to relevant<br>standards?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 6.c - Are operators carrying adequate first aid provision?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 6.d - Are suitable facilities for hand hygiene available?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

7.0 - Equipment Hauling

• 7.a - Has the climber adopted an approach that minimises the risk of accidental equipment<br>release?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 7.b - Is there clear communication between climber and ground staff when equipment is<br>being hauled?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 7.c - Is the drop zone clear during hauling?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 7.d - Is the equipment used for hauling suitable? Does it have sufficient safe working loads<br>for the lift and is it correctly configured?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 7.e - Is equipment secured prior to being released from the haul system?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 7.f - Do the methods for hauling equipment minimise strain on the operator?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

8.0 - Securing, Carrying and Storing Work Equipment while Working in the Tree

• 8.a - Are tool lanyards suitably rated and free from defect?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 8.b - Is equipment only attached to the operator’s harness via approved connection points?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 8.c - Has provision been made to allow the tool/equipment to be positioned high on the<br>operator’s harness?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 8.d - Are blades covered where appropriate?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 8.e - Is equipment secure to reduce the risk of accidental release?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

9.0 - Handling Tools in the Tree

• 9.a - Has the aerial operator implemented the risk hierarchy when using tools in the tree?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 9.b - Is the aerial operator’s position appropriate in relation to the cutting equipment<br>being used?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 9.c - Do operator handling and the fall protection system in use account for reactive forces<br>that may occur?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 9.d - Is the aerial operator employing suitable measures to prevent equipment being taken<br>with severed sections?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

10.0 - Chainsaw Use

• 10.a - Is machinery appropriately warmed up and checked before being sent up to the aerial operator?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 10.b - Are chainsaws started using correct techniques?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 10.c - Are top-handled chainsaws being used appropriately, i.e. is two-handed use the norm?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 10.d - If a chainsaw is used one-handed, is that justifiable?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• Yes

  No

  N/A

11.0 - Cutting Methods

• 11.a - Can an operator explain the cutting method they intend to use?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 11.b - Before they begin the task, has the operator fully considered the factors that will influence branch or section movement?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 11.c - Are the chosen cutting techniques appropriate?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 11.d - Will the operator maintain control over severed sections?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

12.0 - Trapped Cutting Equipment

• 12.a - Are aerial operators aware of the procedures for dealing with trapped cutting tools?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 12.b - Is a handsaw carried by the climber to assist with releasing trapped machinery?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 12.c - Can trapped machinery be dealt with safely and efficiently by the aerial operator?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

13.0 - Pull/Tag Lines

• 13.a - Is every tag line used:<br>a. subject to pre-use checks to confirm its condition is safe for use?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 13.a - Is every tag line used:<br>b. long enough for the intended task?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 13.a - Is every tag line used:<br>c. of an appropriate strength to ensure that it does not fail when used?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 13.b - Has the aerial operator securely attached the pull line?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 13.c - Are clear drop zones maintained throughout the duration of the task?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

14.0 - Tape Slings

• 14.a - Is a tape sling used in appropriate circumstances?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 14.b - Are slings:<br>a. subject to pre-use checks to confirm their condition is safe for use?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 14.b - Are slings:<br>b. designated for rigging applications?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 14.b - Are slings:<br>c. subject to loads only within their safe working load?

  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