| [College of ACES] | [University of Illinois] | [Illinois CES] |
I would suggest operating more than one database, one with the "cadilac" details you wish to incorporate, and one which records very basic details - what happened, what caused it, what was the result. Between the 2 tools, you should be able to come up with some very good information.
Some comments: using a top handled saw one handed is not a problem, lack of discussion about how to do it safely is the problem. And to counter your first thought -"there is no safe way", I most emphatically say there are a number of techniques available to do that safely. Veterans all over the world can point to a handfull of techniques they have employed for many years to do just that, and many have done so without incident. My point is, we need to draw out and document those techniques, and make that information available to working arborists.
Safe work practices are slowly being addressed through ANSI standards and consultants. The process needs to be accellerated in order to avoid a lot of boobs from other industries swooping in to "save the day" for arborists, and as a consequence introducing equipment and techniques which may increase hazards in our industry.
We know that snap hooks are capable of "rolling out". In the U.S., our OSHA has mandated self closing, auto-locking "connectors" as of Jan. 1, 98. Double auto-lock carribiners work well, provided they meet the 5000 lb. requirement, (I think that pencils out to roughly 24kN).
Tie in using 2 points of attachment is a great idea, and I teach our guys to do so when ever they can. But...., the tendancy of tree workers is to forget to tie in at all. I would much rather see them tied in once, than discourage their cooperation with a mandated double tie in. We in our company insist on double tie in when working on a vertical trunk typical of conifers, particularly when blocking wood down or removing limbs at the trunk near flip-line attachment point. The guys buy in to that when they realize how easy it is to chainsaw through their steel core. Other applications take more persuasion.
Incidentally, I feel it is inappropriate to disrespect recreational or rescue climbing technology. I think we need to watch carefully for stuff they use or learn, and respond appropriately to fulfill our industy's needs.
Sincerely,
KWK