Climbing VS Access platform

[ms660isthebest]

Hi everyone

 

I have been on AA risk assement course today. A big issue i was putting across was climbing was faster, better ,cheaper,more enjoyable and the right way to do tree work. Unless the tree was dead or dangerous to climb. However the fellow Arborists was mainly going for the platform. In my eyes its for people who can t climb or being lazy.

 

I wondered what your thoughts are on this?

 

Cheers

[David Humphries]

Always a thread for contention & disagreement.

 

This one ran the boards for a while................

 

 

http://arbtalk.co.uk/forum/large-equipment/728-mewp-usage.html

 

 

I will always feel that they are a tool at our (the industry) disposal, the decision to use or not, is not a straight forward choice.

 

 

 

 

.

[Rupe]

Can depend on the job though. A platform can speed up a job so that even including the hire costs the job is cheaper than if climbed, and more efficient/proffitable.

 

Heres one example, roadside lime trees to be cut back over about a quarter mile but nothing dead or dangerous.

 

Roadside Lime Trees. Cutting back overhanging branches | Facebook

[tommer9]

I would rather be tied to the tree any day of the week. Dont trust too much machinery at height TBH, unless it on things like road height clearance, where climbing is just too slow.

[Rupe]

Hers another, just road side deadwood.

 

Dead Wood Removal from 40+ Lime trees with MEWP | Facebook

[Ian Clarke]

i'm not a climber and havent used access platforms before.

 

but i see them as another tool in our arsenal to call upon when it is the best option surely it should be chosen.

[Tom D]

If you look at the accident stats there are far more accidents involving mewps than rope access. Especially if you exclude chainsaw injuries and just look at falls. Unless there is a catastrophic tree failiure a climber who is climbing according to best practise is extremely, and I mean extremely, unlikely to have a fall.

[ms660isthebest]

Tommer im the same, be strap into the tree all day long. Cheers

[Theocus]

We own a cherry picker and it brilliant, we use it where ever we can for crown lifts, small reductions and of course conifer.

 

Its safer, often more efficient but constrained by access on most parts.

[ms660isthebest]

Fair play how long did it take you?