UF - A - SG4: Use of Mobile Cranes in Tree Work

• Prepared by

• Inspection date

  Date
• Location
  Address

2.0 - Preperation

• 2.a - Has the lift plan been prepared by a qualified appointed person who has experience of arboricultural lifting operations using a crane?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 2.b - Does the lifting team include the necessary personnel?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 2.c - Are all members of the lifting team suitably qualified and experienced?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 2.d - Do all members of the lifting team fully understand their role on site?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 2.e - Can everyone on site maintain ‘situational awareness’: are they fit and well, physically<br>and mentally?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

3.0 - Planning

• 3.a - In the circumstances, can your selected arrangement for crane hire or contract lift be fully justified?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 3.b - Has an appointed person specified the most appropriate crane?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 3.c - Has risk control been planned by an appointed person?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 3.d - Has a visual tree condition assessment been undertaken?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 3.e - Have site considerations such as weather conditions, wildlife, biosecurity and tree protection been assessed and actioned?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

4.0 - Management

• 4.a - Do all members of the lifting team understand the emergency plan?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 4.b - Have all members of the lifting team signed the risk assessment and the lift plan to confirm their understanding?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

5.0 - Selection of Equipment

• 5.a - Has the appointed person specified an appropriate crane?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 5.b - Are the crane and all lifting equipment within the required test period?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 5.c - Have suitable slings been selected?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 5.d - Does the crane have a safety hook with a latch?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 5.e - Is the equipment provided suitable for the task, has it been thoroughly examined (where applicable), and have pre-use checks been completed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 5.g - Has the climber received training in climbing equipment inspection, maintenance and<br>record-keeping?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 5.h - Do operators understand manufacturer’s recommendations for product lifespan, maintenance, storage and use?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 5.i - Are operators keeping adequate records of issue, inspection, withdrawal and disposal?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 5.j - Have operators completed a visual and tactile pre-use inspection?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

6.0 - Site Preporation

• 6.a - Has the crane supervisor ensured that the site has been set out in accordance with the lift plan?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 6.b - Has the crane been placed and rigged as set out in the lift plan?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 6.c - Have communication systems been planned, agreed and tested?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

7.0 - Accessing the Crown of the Tree

• 7.a - Have crown access methods been agreed and can they be justified in line with the hierarchy for work at height in the ICoP?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 7.b - If a MEWP is to be used, has its position been planned in relation to the proximity of the crane, drop zones and landing areas?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 7.c - If the crane is to be used to lift personnel, has the SWL been derated by 50%?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

Planning for aerial Rescue

• 7.d - Have you planned for aerial rescue?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 7.e - Do you have everything you need and is it to hand?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 7.i - Are the tree and the anchors available still safe to climb?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

8.0 Branch Removal

• 8.a - Is a system in place to estimate the weight of the load to be lifted, which will ensure that the load never exceeds the maximum as specified by the appointed person in the lift plan?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 8.b - Has the lifting team agreed the system for connecting the crane to the tree sections to be removed using the chosen slings?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 8.c - Does the lifting team understand the effect on the SWL as a result of the angle between multiple slings and the type of attachment to the branch (choker, lark’s foot, timber hitch etc.)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 8.d - Has the sequence of branch removal been agreed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 8.e - Does the climbing arborist understand the cutting techniques to be used?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 8.f - Has a landing area been agreed and prepared, with bearers if necessary?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Comments

• 8.g - Has the use of tag lines been discussed and a plan agreed?

  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