4 steps to creating a safer, more efficient jobsite

Information provided by ArborMaster

 

Climbing, trimming and hauling trees is a team effort. Clear communication among crew members is key to increasing safety and productivity on the jobsite.

Jobsite briefing

The best way to make sure the whole crew is on the same page is to conduct a jobsite briefing before the work begins. The entire team should participate in the jobsite walkaround led by the crew supervisor.

Use the acronym H.O.P.E. to cover the four basic steps of the jobsite briefing:

1. Hazards — things on the jobsite that can hurt arborists
2. Obstacles — people or things on the jobsite that can be hurt or damaged by equipment
3. Plan — tasks that need to be done and who is responsible for doing them
4. Equipment — the equipment and PPE needed to safely and efficiently complete the plan

Command/response communication protocol

Once the work begins, it is important to keep the lines of communication open and active. A simple voice command/response communication system can be very effective. This means no one assumes their command has been heard — they make sure of it.

For example:

1. Climber yells “stand clear” before cutting a piece of wood or using an unsecured piece of equipment
2. Climber waits for the “all clear” or “go ahead” response from the ground
3. Once the ground confirms the response, the climber owns the “drop zone” area beneath him/her

Emergency preparedness

Jobsite safety should be everyone’s top priority, and that means crews need to have the right equipment to successfully complete the project plan. This goes beyond just climbing gear and tree care equipment and includes an emergency response protocol.

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Fully-stocked First Aid kit
• Cell phone coverage
• Emergency response protocol
• Documented physical address of the jobsite

Equipment

Jobsite safety should be everyone’s top priority, and that means crews need to have the right equipment to successfully complete the project plan. This goes beyond just climbing gear and tree care equipment and includes an emergency response protocol.

• Chipper
• Climbing equipment
• Rigging lines
• Chainsaws
• Lowering devices
• Fall Protection systems