Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024
(a) Climbing and Access.
(1) Prior to climbing the tree, the employer
shall ensure that the tree, including the root collar, is visually inspected by
a qualified tree worker who shall determine and ensure a safe method of entry
into the tree. The location of all electrical conductors and equipment within
the work area shall be identified in relation to the work being performed.
Climbing lines, ropes, lanyards, and other climbing equipment shall be
inspected in accordance with the provisions of Section
3422(j) of this
Article 12.
(A) Only when a tree cannot be
safely accessed by climbing or the use of aerial devices, a qualified tree
worker may be hoisted into position by using an approved tree worker's saddle
secured to a crane's hook that shall be closed with a positive locking device.
The tree worker's saddle shall also be secured to an independent line attached
above the crane hook, and the following criteria shall be met:
1. All climbing equipment, lines and rigging
shall have a minimum breaking strength of at least 5,000 pounds.
2. The crane boom and load line shall be
moved in a slow, controlled, cautious manner with no sudden movements when the
qualified tree worker is attached to the crane.
3. The requirements for hoisting employees by
crane in a personnel platform contained in Sections
5004(d)(2), (4), (5),
(6), and
5004(e) shall
apply to the hoisting of a qualified tree worker suspended in an approved tree
worker saddle.
4. Cranes used for
tree work shall be equipped with a functional load indicating device.
5. The crane operator shall be familiar with
the potential hazards and operational techniques encountered in tree
work.
6. The qualified tree worker
being hoisted shall be in continuous communication with the crane operator, or
signals shall be relayed by a qualified signal person as provided in Section
5001.
7. The crane operator shall remain at the
controls when the qualified tree worker is attached to the crane.
8. The qualified tree worker shall be
detached from the crane while the load is hoisted.
9. The employer shall ensure that the crane
operator and qualified tree worker determine the weight of the load being
lifted to prevent the crane from being overloaded.
10. The hoisting of a qualified tree worker
shall be promptly discontinued upon indication of any dangerous weather
conditions or other impending danger.
NOTE: 1. Other applicable provisions pertaining to
crane operations are contained in the General Industry Safety Orders, Group 13,
Cranes and Other Hoisting Equipment.
NOTE: 2. For line clearance tree trimming operations,
see Article 38 of the High Voltage Electrical Safety
Orders.
(B)
Special Training Requirements. The employer shall ensure that every qualified
tree worker involved in tree work utilizing a crane to position personnel into
a tree under the provisions of Section
3427(a)(1)(A),
receives instruction and training on such work and is competent in the
following areas:
1. Safe work procedures and
knowledge of the hazards applicable to tree work involving the use of
cranes.
2. The use of personal
protective equipment required for tree work.
3. The inspection and safe use of all
climbing equipment, lines and rigging.
4. Crane signals and communication
requirements with the crane operator as provided in Section
5001.
5. Instructions regarding electrical hazards
as described in Section
3423.
6. The safe use of chain saws in tree
work.
7. The conditions and
criteria necessary to permit the use of a crane to provide access into a
tree.
8. The handling of loads as
described in Section
4999 and rigging techniques for
tree work.
9. Effective means for
controlling pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
(C) Documentation of employee training
required by Section
3427(a)(1)(B)
shall be maintained as prescribed by Section
3203 of these
Orders.
(2) When working
aloft, employees shall wear a tree workers' saddle and have at least two means
of being secured, such as a climbing line and a work positioning
lanyard.
(3)
(A) Employees shall be tied in or secured
while ascending the tree and remain tied in or secured until the work is
completed and they have returned to the ground.
(B) Employees shall not work from or leave a
ladder to gain access to a tree unless the employee is tied in or otherwise
secured to the tree.
EXCEPTION: Employees may work from a self-supporting
ladder in accordance with the manufacturer's
instructions.
(4)
The tie-in point shall be established on or around the main leader or a major
upright branch of the tree as high as necessary using branches with a wide
crotch to prevent any binding of the climbing line. The crotch selected for
tying-in shall be over the work area as nearly as possible, but located in such
a way that a slip or fall would not permit the employee to come in contact with
any electrical conductor, equipment or other hazard.
(b) Pruning, Trimming and Tree Removal
Operations.
(1) The employer shall establish
a method of verbal or visual communication which shall be reviewed during the
job briefing, prior to the start of pruning or removal operations. The verbal
or visual communication system shall use an established command and response
system or pre-arranged, two-way hand signals. The communication method shall be
clearly understood and used during all rigging operations. The command "stand
clear" from aloft and the response "all clear" from the ground are some terms
that may be used for verbal communication.
(2) A drop zone shall be established prior to
the start of pruning or removal operations. Employees not directly involved in
the pruning or removal operation shall stay out of the pre-established drop
zone until it has been communicated by a qualified tree worker directly
involved in the operation that it is safe to enter the drop zone. Employees
shall be positioned and their duties organized so that the actions of one
employee will not create a hazard for any other worker.
(3) Only qualified tree workers directly
involved in the operation shall be permitted in the drop zone when a load is
being suspended by a rigging system.
(4) When a rigging system is necessary, a
qualified tree worker shall determine the appropriate rigging system for the
removal project based on factors that include, but are not limited to, the
species, size, weight, and length of tree sections or limbs being
removed.
(5) When it is necessary
to remove branches or sections of a tree that will be removed, a qualified tree
worker who is trained and experienced in rigging operations shall determine
whether the tree can withstand the strain of the lowering procedures. If the
determination is that the tree cannot do so, other means of removing the tree
shall be considered.
(6) Wedges,
block and tackle, rope, and other lowering devices shall be used when there is
a danger that a tree or trees being removed may fall in the wrong direction or
damage property. All limbs and sections shall be removed to a height and width
sufficient to allow the tree to fall clear of any wires or other objects in the
vicinity.
(7) Separate ropes for
lowering limbs shall be attached to limbs which cannot be dropped or are too
heavy to be controlled by hand. Climbing lines shall not be attached to the
same crotch as ropes used for lowering limbs.
(8) Cut branches (hangers) shall be removed
from the tree prior to leaving the job site.
(9) When an employee is elevated above 12
feet in any tree work operations including climbing ladders, climbing into the
tree or using an aerial device, a second employee shall be present to render
immediate assistance.
(10) Palm
frond skirts shall be removed from the top down. Qualified tree workers
performing this work shall be supported by a climbing line and a false crotch
attached above the frond skirt, or they shall work from an aerial device.
EXCEPTION: Fronds may be trimmed from below the dead
frond accumulation only when a qualified tree worker who is competent and
experienced in palm tree work and the hazards associated with removing dead
fronds makes a determination that this task can be safely performed from
below.
NOTE: Because palm frond skirts have the potential of
unexpectedly releasing onto a worker below, the ANSI Z133.1-2006 standard
"Arboricultural Operations--Safety Requirements" Section 8.2.7 states that tree
workers shall never attempt to remove palm frond skirts of three years or more
growth by positioning themselves below the work areas while being supported by
a lanyard.
(11) When dry
conditions exist, no employee shall smoke in or near dead palm fronds. All
chain saws used under such conditions shall have mufflers and spark arresters
in good working condition.
(c) Felling.
(1) The work area shall be cleared to permit
safe working conditions before any cutting is started.
(2) A planned escape route for all workers
shall be prepared before cutting any standing tree or trunk.
(3) A notch and back cut shall be used to
establish a hinge when felling trees over 5 inches in diameter.
(A) Notches and back cuts shall be made at a
height that enables the chain-saw operator to safely begin the cut, control the
tree or trunk, and have freedom of movement for escape.
(B) The notch cut used shall be a
conventional notch, an open-faced notch, or a Humboldt notch as defined in
Section 3420(b).
(C) The notch depth shall not exceed
one-third of the diameter of the tree.
(D) The back cut shall not penetrate into the
predetermined hinge area.
(E) With
a conventional notch or Humboldt notch, the back cut shall be 1 to 2 inches
above the apex of the notch to provide an adequate platform to prevent
kick-back of the tree or trunk. With an open-face notch (greater than 70
degrees), the back cut shall be at the same level as the apex of the
notch.
(F) The two saw cuts that
form a notch shall not cross at the point where they meet.
(4) Just before the tree or trunk is ready to
fall, an audible warning shall be given to those in the area. Pre-arranged,
two-way hand signals may also be used as a warning, provided that only
qualified persons shall give such signals. All non-involved personnel in the
vicinity shall be safely out of range before the tree or trunk falls.
(5) Prior to the start of any tree felling or
removal operations, the hazards and relevant factors pertaining to the tree and
the site are to be considered by undertaking actions that include, but are not
limited to, the following:
(A) Identifying
potential hazards in the area surrounding the tree to be removed, including
nearby trees.
(B) Determining the
species and shape of the tree.
(C)
Evaluating the lean of the tree.
(D) Inspecting for loose limbs and wood
chunks, or other overhead material.
(E) Evaluating the wind force and
direction.
(F) Identifying decayed
or weak spots in the tree.
(G)
Providing a means to protect other persons, property, and electrical
conductors.
(H) Evaluating the
terrain characteristics and/or limitations of the work area; and
(I) Identifying evidence of bees or other
wildlife habitation in the tree that may present
hazards.
(d)
Bucking.
(1) The employee shall work from the
uphill side whenever possible during limbing or bucking operations.
(2) The employee shall block the log during
bucking operations to prevent rolling, when necessary.
(3) When bucking trunks of trees, wedges
shall be used when necessary to prevent binding the chain saw guide bar or
chain.
(e) Structural
Support Systems, and Lightning Protection Systems.
(1) Employees on the ground shall not stand
in the drop zone during the installation of structural support systems or
lightning protection systems.
(2)
Tools used to install structural support systems or lightning protection
systems shall be carried in a bag or on a belt designed to hold such tools or
attached to a tool lanyard.
(3)
Employees installing cabling, support systems or lightning protection systems
shall be positioned off to one side in order to avoid injury in case of a cable
system failure that could occur when a block and tackle or hand winch is
released.
(4) When removing a cable
from a tree, a block and tackle or come-along system shall be used before
removing the cable.
(5) When
installing a replacement cable, the replacement cable shall be fully installed
before removing the outdated cable.
1.
Amendment filed 8-8-85; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 85, No.
32).
2. Amendment of subsections (a)-(a)(1), new subsection (a)(2)
and subsection renumbering filed 4-1-2004; operative 4-1-2004 pursuant to
Government Code section
11343.4(c)
(Register 2004, No. 14).
3. Amendment of subsection (a)(1), new
subsections (a)(1)(A)-(a)(1)(A)8., repealer of former subsection (a)(2) and
subsection renumbering filed 4-29-2004 as an emergency; operative 4-29-2004
(Register 2004, No. 18). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL
by 8-27-2004 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the
following day.
4. Amendment of subsection (a)(1), new subsections
(a)(1)(A)-(a)(1)(A)8., repealer of former subsection (a)(2) and subsection
renumbering refiled 8-26-2004 as an emergency; operative 8-26-2004 (Register
2004, No. 35). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by
12-24-2004 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the
following day.
5. Certificate of Compliance as to 8-26-2004 order,
including further amendment of subsections (a)(1)-(a)(1)(A)1., new subsections
(a)(1)(A)4.-5., subsection renumbering and new subsections (a)(1)(B)-(C),
transmitted to OAL 12-17-2004 and filed 1-24-2005 (Register 2005, No.
4).
6. Amendment filed 9-25-2012; operative 10-25-2012 (Register
2012, No. 39).
Note: Authority cited: Section
142.3, Labor
Code. Reference: Section
142.3, Labor
Code.
