The Third Degree

Time, effort and risk are all components of a typical tree job. It's how we prioritise or rank these that are important. It's the difference between two tree companies quoting on the same job.

The degree of safety on a job is a difficult thing to define. What may be safe for one crew may be totally dangerous for another.

The factors that create variables in the cost of a job and the degree of safety are very interesting. Let's list some of the variable factors:

1. The level on staff training
2. The amount of experience
3. The type, quality and amount of equipment
4. The number of staff on site
5. The skill levels of the crewmembers
6. The method used to perform the work
7. The level of supervision
8. The amount of preplanning
9. The pace of the workflow
10. The degree of order and organization

We need to consider the factors that constitute a safe job. Is it just a perception or can we set some common rules. I mean is one person's safe another person's accident waiting to happen?

I have certainly been challenged on what I perceive as safe systems of work. For example, is it safe to use a bowline knot in your climbing system when evidence has shown that many accidents have occurred with their use?

Climbers could argue that it is safer to ride the hook of a crane into a tree than to climb the tree using ropes. They may also argue it is safer to fell a tree than to climb it.

The Hierarchy of Controls

The "hierarchy of controls" process asks us to choose the path of least risk. So one would assume from this that the safest work method should be selected to perform a task. What is the safer work method can be argued at times, for example, if work from an elevated work platform is deemed safer than from within the tree, then we may have a problem.

This would mean that every tree that has access with an elevated work platform should be performed using an elevated work platform. Tree climbing and work from within the tree would be excluded where elevated work platform access is possible. Is that realistic?

It can become quite difficult to rate one work method over another. Should work from an elevated work platform be viewed as equal to work from within the tree-using tree climbing techniques? To determine if one work method is safer then another we need to consider a range of factors. These factors would vary from job to job and at times day to day.

The variables may include the following:
1. The work to be performed
2. The access available
3. The terrain and ground conditions
4. The location of the tree
5. The height of the tree
6. The tree species and condition
7. The structures around & under the tree
8. The hazards associated with the task

Tree work is rarely black and white and every job will have its differences. Each job needs to be assessed on an individual basis.

Tree climbing is a valid and safe work method when performed by a competent person and under the right conditions. We need a risk-based approach to determine if tree climbing is a suitable work method for a given job. This risk assessment would be specific to the task and the site.

Stage One Risk Assessment

So from this we can see that the work method may be defined by the initial risk assessment. The initial or stage one risk assessment will be performed during an inspection of the tree some time before the work starts. Stage one risk assessment is a critical time for identifying tree and site hazards that will impact on the job and dictate how the work is to be performed.

Stage one-risk assessments are generally performed at the time of quoting or during a pre-works inspection.

This site visit may determine the following:
1. The scope of works
2. The major hazards
3. The equipment requirements
4. The crew size and experience
5. The safety procedures required
6. The time required to complete the job
7. How the job is to be performed

It is important to note that this information is not only used to determine how the job can be performed safety but is also required to cost out the job. So this is not a new process but one that has been formalised.

Stage one risk assessment - Key points:
1. Performed as part of the initial site visit.
2. The information gathered is used to:
a. Determine the cost of the work.
b. Determine a safe work method.
c. Determine resource requirements.

Safety First

So from this we can see how cost of a job can affect safety. Different work methods have different costs associated with them and this will affect the cost to the client and safety for the tree crew.

Safety will be downgraded if you compromise on any facet of the job. To under value the number of staff required or the time required will have an effect. In theory this effect should not be passed on to the people performing the work. In theory they should be separated from the cost of the job and just focus on getting the job done efficiently and safety.

In reality we have many small tree crews in the industry and the crew will generally include the business owner or boss. This person has a lot to gain by turning the work over quickly and increasing profit.

In all cases it is better to lose money on the job than to lose a leg or somebody's life. Remember accidents can cost big money. We also know that what you lose on one job you will gain on another.

Money Matters

Jobs are generally costed in person hours. That is a job may take 24 person hours. If one person were to perform the work it would take 24 hours. If three persons were to perform the work it would take 8 hours.

Of cause we have a minimum crew size requirement that rarely sees a person working alone on a job site. This minimum crew size helps us to maintain safety and achieve an effective workflow and output. This per person hourly rate may also include a component to cover the cost of infrastructure such as equipment and office staff.

So the quoted price relates closely to the work method, which in turn relates closely to the level of crew safety.

Money should not have an influence on safety but it quite often does. The tree climber may feel the pressure to complete the job in the determined time frame. Rarely would a boss say take as long as you want to complete a job.

Time is money and one extra hour on a job for a crew of three is going to cost. It may mean the difference between making money and losing it. In some cases it can cost you money to do the work, you end up paying the client to prune their tree. The crew gets paid but there is no profit. So time is truly money.

So tree crews can be placed under pressure to complete the work in the defined time frame and this can cause safety concerns. Crews may take short cuts or modify the work method to save time. They may attempt to fell a tree between two houses rather then dismantle it in sections. Up goes the likelihood of an accident and the consequence may be property damage or a risk to life.

Work Methods

So would you ever consider erecting scaffolding around a large dead trunk that is totally rotten? This trunk is in a limited access rear courtyard of a townhouse and is totally surrounded by decking. There is no way a crane or elevated work platform could reach the tree trunk.

What options do you have and how much would each option cost the client and which option has the least amount of risk to health. Would scaffolding be one of those options?

Would you find that another quotation for the job was half your price? Would that company have quoted to climb it?

You may be pleased that you did not get the ugly job. Maybe you priced yourself out of the job on purpose or maybe you just priced to do the job safety. Did you spend much time selling the work method to the client or were they only interested in the cheapest price. Did you turn up on the day to see how this other company performed?

Summary

As usual I leave you with lots of unanswered questions. I would appreciate your valuable feedback on this topic. Do you feel that the quoted price on a job could affect safety?

Do you feel that using the hook of a crane as a high point of attachment is safer then connecting to that old dead tree? Do you feel safer in an elevated work platform or out on a limb?

A number of the recent deaths in the industry have related to work involving tree-climbing activities. Can we greatly improve on the techniques used for working within the tree? Have our techniques evolved as far as they can? Can we make this work method safer?

The New South Wales Code of Practice for Tree Work is currently being reviewed and updated. This article relates closely to issues facing the technical committee working on the Code of Practice. In some ways it makes me feel that we have a long way to go in addressing issues that affect our industry.

Topics such as the use of cranes, lowering devices and helicopters for tree work will take some time to resolve. Let's hope that I see it in my lifetime.

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