Contents

Introduction What's Inside?.
Training Techniques.
Tractor Safety Training Guide.
Motor Vehicle Safety Training Guide.
Chipper/Shredder Safety Training Guide.
Skid Steer Safety Training Guide.
Tree Trimming Safety Training Guide.
Aerial Lift Safety Training Guide.
Mowing and Trimming Safety Training Guide.

Tree Trimming Training Guide

Suggested Materials

• Tree Trimming Safety Manuals (English, Spanish)
• Sign-in Sheet
• Pencils
• Instructor Guide
• Training Overheads/Slides/Projector
• Blank Overheads/Flipchart/Blackboard/Pen for listing participant responses and outlining important concepts
• Chipper/Shredder and Tractor for Hands-on Exercises
• Ear Plugs and any other protective equipment for Hands-On Exercise
• First Aid Kits for Hands-On Exercises
• Rope for practicing knots
• Tree Climbing Equipment for Hands-on Exercises
• Tree Trimming Equipment for Hands-on Exercises (chain saws, pole saws, ladders, aerial lifts, etc.)

Sources of Background Information
Tree Trimming and Aerial Lift Safety Manuals available for download: http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/agsafe/training/OSHA_training.htm
Operator's manuals for chainsaws (available from dealer)
Arborists Certification Study Guide, International Society of Aboriculture.
www.isa-arbor.com
Tree Climber's Guide, International Society of Aboriculture.
www.isa-arbor.com
National Tree Climbing Guide, United States Department of Agriculture's National Tree Climbing Program.
www.fs.fed.us/treeclimbing/
OSHA Logging Web page
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/logging/index.html
OSHA Logging e-Tool
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/logging/mainpage.html
NIOSH Logging Web page
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/injury/traumalog.html

Length of Time Needed for Training
Review and select the learning activities that are most appropriate. If all of the discussion and hands-on exercises are included in the training it may take up to a full work day. Without the hands-on exercises, the classroom portion will take about two hours.

Welcome and Introduction

• Introduce yourself.
• Remind participants of the topic of the training.
• Discuss breaks, locations of restrooms, ending time and any tests or evaluations.
• Tell participants you expect them to play an active role by relating their experiences and knowledge.

Participant Introductions
Find out:

• Who are they?
• What is their experience trimming and felling trees?
• What do they hope to learn from the training?

Questioning/Discussion
Before beginning Lesson 1:

• What do participants think are the most common types of accidents that happen when trimming and feeling trees. List ideas on an overhead or flipchart.
• Have any participants known someone who has been killed or seriously injured in a tree trimming accident? Would anyone care to share what happened?

Lesson 1 Take Control of Your Own Safety

Suggested Objectives

• Name the most common types of tree trimming accidents.
• Interpret the meaning of common warning signs and labels.
• Identify appropriate protective equipment.
• Indicate hazards to be assessed before beginning operation.

Discuss Accident Reports on page 4 of the Tree Trimming Safety Manual

• How well did participants' ideas for the most common causes of accidents match those in the tree trimming safety manual? (Refer to the overhead or flipchart list made during the introduction.)
• Are participants surprised by any of the most common types of accidents?

Hands-on Exercise
Divide the class into groups of three to five participants. Have each group look for safety messages and signs on some of the equipment they commonly use (chain saws, pole saws, ladders, aerial lifts, etc.). Bring the class together and ask each group to report on the hazards described in the messages and signs.

Hands-on Exercise
Have participants inspect and wear any protective equipment that is required for their work. Discuss the importance of each item.

Try on hearing protection:

• follow manufacturer's procedure or use the general procedure below.
• demonstrate technique.
• provide feedback as participants practice.

Inserting Ear Plugs

Types of Hearing Protection

Ear Plugs
	Clean hands. Roll ear plug between fingers to compress it. Grasp ear from behind your head with opposite hand and pull up to straighten ear canal. Insert ear plug until it blocks sound, then hold in place while it expands. (Count out loud to 20 while it expands.) Ear plug must completely fill ear canal. Test fit by cupping hands over ears and then releasing. There should not be much difference in sound. Wash reusable plugs in warm soapy water after use/throw away disposable after each use.
Hearing Bands
	Grasp ear from behind your head with opposite hand and pull up to straighten ear canal. Use your hands to press the ear pads into the ear canals. Test fit in a noisy environment: Lightly press band inward and you should not notice much reduction in noise level.
Ear Muffs
	Make sure the cushions fully cover the ear and seal tightly against the head. Hold the headband at the crown of the head and adjust each cup. Test fit in a noisy environment: Gently push the cups toward your head and release. There should not be much difference in noise level.

Hands-on Exercise
Divide the class into groups of three to five participants. Have each group evaluate equipment and a work area, including trees to be trimmed and felled using the Pre-Operation Inspection on page 169 of the Instructor Guide. Bring the class back together and have each group report regarding hazards they observed and precautions that need to be taken.

Evaluation
Answer the quiz items on page 9 of the Tree Trimming Safety Manual individually or as a class. Be sure to discuss each item.

Questioning/Discussion
Before beginning Lesson 2:

• Ask participants if it is possible to get electrocuted from a power line if they don't actually touch the line. Ask participants to describe how this can happen. List ideas on an overhead or flipchart.
• Are participants aware that most power lines are not insulated?
• Have participants known of anyone who has been electrocuted from a power line? Would they care to share what happened?

Lesson 2 Avoid Shock and Electrocution

Suggested Objectives

• Differentiate between qualified and unqualified line-clearance tree trimmers.
• Recognize electrical hazards.
• Identify minimum distance requirements.

Discuss Accident Reports on pages 10-11 of the Tree Trimming Safety Manual

• Discuss the ways that workers can be electrocuted without actually touching a power line. How well does this information match the list participants made at the end of Lesson 1? Are they surprised by any of the differences?
• Regarding work around power lines, what is the difference between qualified and unqualified employees? Have any of the participants had the additional training needed to become qualified?
• Discuss your organization's policy regarding work around power lines. What is the procedure for contacting the electric company when power lines need to be shut down or shielded?

Evaluation
Answer the quiz items on page 13 of the Tree Trimming Safety Manual

Hands-on Exercise
As a group, go outside and evaluate electrical hazards involving nearby trees. For qualified and unqualified employees, what precautions need to be taken before trimming/ felling specific trees?

Lesson 3 Preventing Falls from Trees

Suggested Objectives

• Recognize precautions to prevent falling from trees.
• Identify climbing knots.

Discuss the Accident Report on page 14 of the Tree Trimming Safety Manual

• Ask participants to read key points under "Avoid Injury from Falling" on page 14 of the Tree Trimming Safety Manual. What are some reasons other workers might not observe some of these rules? Why are the rules important?

Hands-on Exercises

• Demonstrate and have participants practice tying knots that are useful for climbing trees.
• Demonstrate and have participants practice tree climbing techniques, using appropriate equipment. Participants must be at least 18 years of age, properly supervised, equipped and dressed, and in acceptable health. The climbing location must be safe, and the climbing tasks must be appropriate for participants' skills and experience.

Contest
Break the class into small groups. Select several knots that are useful for climbing. For each knot, allow an appropriate amount of time for participants to tie the knot. Group members may coach each other and use the Tree Trimming Safety Manual as a guide, but each participant must tie each knot. Check the knots and award points to each group for the number of knots they were able to tie correctly in the allotted time.

Evaluation
Answer the quiz items on page 17 of the Tree Trimming Safety Manual.

Lesson 4 Avoid Being Struck by Trees or Limbs

Suggested Objectives

• Recognize ways to avoid being struck by trees and limbs.
• Develop safe chainsaw operating procedures.
• Identify tree felling danger zones.
• Compare different felling techniques.

Discuss Accident Reports on pages 18 -22 of the Tree Trimming Safety Manual

• Have participants known of workers getting seriously hurt in any other ways while trimming or felling trees?

Contest
Divide the class into groups. Display the contest items provided on pages 156-161 of the Instructor Guide. In turn, ask each group a multiple choice or true/false question from the overheads. Each group gets one point for every correct answer. If a group misses a question, allow the next group to answer it for a point. Keep track of points and recognize the winning group. Use the questions as opportunities to discuss the training material. Answer key provided on page 162 of the Instructor Guide.

Discussion
Discuss the open face and Humboldt notches on page 24 of the Tree Trimming Safety workbook. Participants may not be familiar with the open face notch. However, it allows for greater felling accuracy and less danger of kickback than the other two notches. Additional felling techniques for difficult trees can be found in OSHA's Logging e-Tool at:
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/logging/mainpage.html.

Hands-on Exercises
Perform the following exercises in a safe location away from power lines and other hazards. Observe all necessary precautions, and keep participants a safe distance from falling limbs and trees.

• Evaluate trees to be trimmed or felled. Discuss trimming and felling techniques that are appropriate for specific trees and limbs.
• Set up a safe work area and practice making cuts, using appropriate equipment.
• Practice cutting with chainsaws. Include proper techniques for inspection, fueling, starting, operating and shutting down safely.

Evaluation
Answer the quiz items on page 25 of the Tree Trimming Safety Manual. Be sure to discuss each item.

Lesson 5 Environmental Hazards

Suggested Objectives

• Identify environmental hazards.
• Recognize treatment and first aid for exposure to environmental hazards.

Discuss Accident Report on page 26 of the Tree Trimming Safety Manual

• What precautions do participants already take to protect themselves from heat and sun exposure while working? List participant responses on an overhead or flipchart.
• Does this list include all of the most important precautions?

Problem Solving
Discuss the overhead on page 163 of the Instructor Guide. Make sure participants know that more cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year than breast, lung, prostate, colorectal and kidney cancers combined. Ask participants if they are taking adequate precautions.

Visual Aid
Discuss the overhead "Is This a Good Idea?" on page 165 of the Instructor Guide. Ask participants to identify all of the safety problems in the story. Then discuss how the worker might have handled the situation in a better manner.

Discussion

• What job tasks expose participants to frigid winter weather? During these jobs, what parts of their body are most affected by the cold? In their experience, what are the most effective ways to prevent hypothermia and frostbite on the job?
• Have any participants ever had problems with insects, animals or poisonous plants while trimming or felling trees? Would they care to share what happened? What precautions can they take?

Hands-on Exercise
Using the company's first aid kits, demonstrate and have participants practice first aid for cuts, burns, heat exhaustion, cold injury and lightning strike.

Evaluation
Answer the quiz items on page 32 of the Tree Trimming Safety Manual either individually or as a class. Be sure to discuss each item.

Conclusion

Case Studies
Break the class into small groups of three to five participants. Provide each group with one of the scenarios on pages 166-168 of this Instructor Guide. Ask each group to discuss their scenario. If there are more than three groups, more than one group can work on the same scenario. Monitor the progress of each group. Bring the class back together and ask for a representative from each group to read their problem and explain their solution. Display case study overheads as each group takes turns. Ask other groups what they think of the proposed solution.

Discussion
Ask participants to share any questions or concerns they may still have or want to discuss further.

Evaluation
Answer the quiz questions on page 34-35 of the Tree Trimming Safety Manual either individually or as a group. Be sure to discuss each item.

Hands-on Performance Evaluation
In a safe area with adequate supervision, have each participant complete a hands-on performance evaluation. The evaluation may include:

• Completing Pre-Operation Inspection provided on page 169 of the Instructor Guide
• Selecting and using appropriate equipment
• Following power line precautions
• Using proper trimming and felling procedures

A checklist for the performance evaluation is provided on page 170 of the Instructor Guide.

Contest (Tree Trimming Safety Lesson 4)

1. On a level surface, no one (other than the feller) should be within ___ tree lengths of the tree being felled.
   1. two
   2. three
   3. four
      
2. Never operate a chain saw above your:
   1. knees.
   2. belt.
   3. chest.
      
3. To refuel a chain saw, shut down the engine and wait at least ______ minute(s) for the engine to cool.
   1. 1
   2. 3
   3. 5
      
4. How many cuts are normally required to prune a large branch from a tree safely and without damaging the bark?
   1. 1
   2. 2
   3. 3
      
5. To reduce kickback:
   1. insert the saw blade fully.
   2. insert the saw blade about half way.
   3. cut with the tip of the saw blade.
      
6. Kickback can occur when:
   1. the tip of the saw contacts a hard object.
   2. the teeth of the saw blade are pinched in the wood.
   3. both A and B.
      
7. Which of the following is the safest practice when trimming trees?
   1. If branches cannot be dropped safely, cut them and leave them in the tree.
   2. Never turn your back on a tree where branches are being cut or when a tree is being felled.
   3. Workers on the ground should try to catch branches as they fall.
      
8. When felling a tree on level ground, everyone other than the feller should stay at least two tree lengths away. If the tree is going to fall downhill, this distance should be:
   1. decreased.
   2. increased.
   3. unchanged.
      
9. When a tree is being felled, the direction of the fall will be affected by:
   1. wind and any vines or branches that are interlocked with other trees.
   2. any pre-existing damage or leaning of the trunk.
   3. both A and B.
      
10. When felling a tree, you first cut a notch in the trunk in the direction you want the tree to fall. This notch is called the:
    1. back cut.
    2. scarf.
    3. hinge.
       
11. When felling a tree, the final cut is called the:
    1. back cut.
    2. scarf.
    3. hinge.
       
12. When felling a tree, the hinge wood is left between the back cut and scarf. Normally, the hinge wood should be equal to ______ the tree's diameter.
    1. 1/10th
    2. 1/5 th
    3. 1/3 rd
       
13. When felling a tree, the best escape areas are located:
    1. on the side of the tree where you make the back cut.
    2. on the side of the tree where you make the scarf.
    3. neither A nor B.
       
14. For the conventional notch, the scarf should normally penetrate the tree to a distance of about:
    1. 1/5 to 1/4 of the tree's diameter.
    2. 1/to 1/3 of the tree's diameter.
    3. 1/to 1/2 of the tree's diameter.
       
15. For the conventional notch, the back cut should normally start about ______ above the bottom cut.
    1. 1 inch
    2. 6 inches
    3. 1 foot

Contest Answer Key (Tree Trimming Safety Lesson 4)

1. a
2. c
3. c
4. c
5. a
6. c
7. b
8. b
9. c
10. b
11. a
12. a
13. c
14. b
15. a

Visual Aid (Tree Trimming Safety Lesson 5)

According to the American Cancer Society, what is the most common form of cancer?

1. Lung
2. Skin
3. Breast
4. Prostate

According to the American Cancer Society, what is the most common form of cancer?

1. Lung
2. Skin
3. Breast
4. Prostate

Visual Aid (Tree Trimming Safety Lesson 5)

Is This a Good Idea?
A worker was trimming trees near a power line on a rural highway. Storm clouds were on the horizon. He could see far-off lightning flashes. He could also hear distant thunder. He thought, “I’ll keep working until the lightning gets closer.” Just then, a bolt of lightning struck a nearby utility pole. The startled worker ran and took cover under a large tree.

Case Study # 1 (Tree Trimming Safety Conclusion)

You are in charge of a three-person crew that will be trimming and felling storm-damaged trees in a hilly residential area. Based on the equipment you normally have available, describe in detail the precautions you will take to protect your workers and residents from falling limbs and trees while you work.

Case Study # 2 (Tree Trimming Safety Conclusion)

You are in charge of a crew that will be trimming limbs near a power line. Two of your workers are qualified to work near power lines and one is not. Based on the equipment you normally have available, describe in detail how you will plan and carry out the work to keep all workers safe from electrocution.

Case Study # 3 (Tree Trimming Safety Conclusion)

You are in charge of a crew that will be trimming and felling ice-damaged trees. Based on the equipment you normally have available, describe in detail the precautions you will take to ensure none of your crew will fall from trees, ladders or equipment while you work.

Forms (PDF)
Daily Pre-Operation Inspection: Tree Trimming
Operator Performance Evaluation: Tree Trimming

Publication #: MF2716

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