Climbing trees, chipping brush and running a chainsaw are all in a day’s work for an arborist in the tree care industry. When arborists receive proper training, it helps create a safer, more efficient jobsite for the entire crew.
Through the Tree Care Industry Association Foundation (TCIAF) Arborist Safety Training Institute (ASTI), there are grants available to help off-set the cost of hosting a safety training workshop in your area. By applying for a grant and hosting a workshop, you are bringing quality, local and affordable safety training to working arborists who will take their safety seriously and help lower accident numbers and improve the image of the tree care industry. Workshops, encompass specialties such as chipper operator basics, felling, rigging, chain saw safety, aerial lift operation and aerial rescue, and many other safety training disciplines.
The ASTI grants are supported by companies, like Vermeer, to ensure the local workshops can be presented at a reasonable cost to participants in the tree care industry. If you would like to host a workshop, you can apply for a grant of up to $1,500 plus the cost of workbooks (up to $40 per confirmed workshop attendee) to fund a part- or full-day safety training workshop. Complete details, including details like how to find a qualified instructor can be found on the TCIA website.
The deadline to apply for a grant is February 15, 2016, for workshops held August 1, 2016 through January 31, 2017. If you miss it, the second round of grant applications is due August 15, 2016, for workshops held February 1 through July 31, 2017. For more information, contact asti@tcia.org.