As part of the International Society of Arboriculture’s (ISA) commitment to promoting best safety practices, the organization works to make industry-related standards accessible to a broader arboricultural community. ISA is proud to announce that the new Z133-2026 standard will be released on 27 May 2026.  

The American National Standard for Arboricultural Operations—Safety Requirements (commonly referred to as the Z133 standard) is a United States safety standard for use across the arboriculture industry. With the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)’s recent approval, the Z133-2026 will be released in both English and Spanish. A free downloadable version for individual use will be available through ISA’s web store. 

“The tree care industry is rapidly changing with new equipment, techniques and tools,” Z133 Committee Chair Dave Scharfenberger said. “The Z133 Committee focused on incorporating many of those changes to account for new safety and training needs. Additionally, there was a major effort by the committee to increase clarity, organization and consistency of the language throughout the standard. I want to acknowledge the hard work and time invested by the committee, task groups and volunteers in delivering this significant update.” 

Prior to these revisions, the most recent Z133 publication was in 2017. The recent revisions include a new training section, a remote control section and a standalone palms section, among other updates to ensure better safety outcomes and keep pace with developments in the industry. 

“The new Z133-2026 standard is a significant achievement for our profession,” ISA CEO and Executive Director Caitlyn Pollihan said. “We deeply appreciate the countless hours put in by the Z133 Committee members and other stakeholders throughout the revision process. I am also happy to share that with this new publication; ISA has committed to providing the Z133 as a complimentary downloadable version for individual use.  

The support of the ISA Canopy Partner organizations and the funding generated through corporate licensing of the Z133, has enabled ISA to ensure this critical standard is available to practitioners.  

Print copies will also be available for purchase through ISA and other authorized resellers. Companies and organizations that wish to print their own copies for training purposes or digital employee use may inquire about a licensing option through ISA.