Discover the specific role of personal protective equipment and
safety features as the first line of defense and learn how to manage reaction forces,
body positioning, and ergonomics in order to maximize safety and productivity!
Learn about the injuries and deaths as well the realities of emergency response and aerial rescue in the tree care industry. How does regional diversity impact the United States and the national challenge of saving tree workers’ lives?
In this session we will discuss emergency preparedness. Discover the “3C” incident scene assessment, the importance of understanding command structure protocols, and the chain of survival!
Presented by ArborMaster® Inc
1:30 pm – 2:00 pm
Strength of Limbs and Branches Used as Temporary Anchor Points in Trees
Failure of temporary anchor points in a tree is one of the major risks faced by climbing arborists. In a project funded by the British Health and Safety Executive, the Forestry Commission, and the TREE Fund, winching tests were performed on standing trees. Branches and limbs of diameters up to 30 cm (12 inches) were loaded to fracture. Various mechanical properties were determined by analyzing the data generated. The presenters will discuss their findings and present a method for assessing the stRENgth of branches in trees of diffeRENt species.
Presented by Brudi & Partner TreeConsultancy – Andreas Detter, Gauting, Bayern, Germany
2:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Energy Dissipation in a “Snubbed Off” Rigging Scenario
Rigging is one strategy for dismantling trees. Different than other techniques, it combines synthetic ropes, pulleys, and the stem as a natural structure in a dynamic system that is designed to be loaded with falling logs, often of considerable mass. Rigging may expose climbing arborists and their equipment, as well as the tree, to loads that are great in magnitude and hard to predict. Energy dissipation in a worst-case rigging scenario was investigated in a study for the British Health and Safety Executive and Forestry Commission. By using motion tracking technique on video footage and applying specialized sensors, researchers could determine the deformations in the rigging system (including the tree). From the findings of this study, current models for energy dissipation and peak force estimation were refined.
Presented by Brudi & Partner TreeConsultancy – Andreas Detter, Gauting, Bayern, Germany
3:30 pm – 4:00 pm
Overcoming Challenging Work Positions
This presentation is to help climbers overcome difficult positioning while climbing and working in trees particularly when your climbing rope angle becomes difficult. Poor rope angles result in an increase in expose to dangerous swings and often low quality work. In this presentation we will discuss tools and techniques to help make the task safer, easier, and more efficient. We will also look at the forces involved on the tree itself and the equipment. Example from pruning, cabling and bracing, manual as well as crane removals will be used.
Presented by Kramer Tree Specialists – Todd Kramer, West Chicago, IL