Hand signal for tree work.

[NI Tree]

The only problem I can see with this is that most groundies don’t go to college.

 

they still have to do there tickets though and there for they could be covered here

[treequip]

they still have to do there tickets though and there for they could be covered here

 

Oh gawd no. I just knew someone was going to invent this as yet another NPTC module

[NI Tree]

Oh gawd no. I just knew someone was going to invent this as yet another NPTC module

 

i was thinking it could be added to one as you alway need some there to climb in case of a resuce

[treequip]

i was thinking it could be added to one as you alway need some there to climb in case of a resuce

 

I think the bloke getting rescued would be more interested in an expedient extraction than he would signals.

[skyhuck]

We are talking about a few simple hand signals here, do people really not have time to run through them with a new groundie at the start of the job??

 

Is this not something that would be done whilst discussing the job and doing your RA??

 

In the USA the trees are often 200ft+ so hand signals will be far more important, generally my groundy can here me from 60ft up.

[Ewan Murray]

I think its a situation where it is relevant to the job for instance when rigging down i will hold up 1,2 or 3 fingers depending on how many wraps are needed but will also use the same signals for maybe two sections of poles when needing to pull out hangers, i also make a running action to signal i want the piece to run

and a thumbs up to make sure everyone is ready, the trick is to keep it simple when too many are used its easy for someone who could be looking at you in a crowded tree or possibly have the sun in their eyes to miss-read an overly complicated signal.

Ewan

[blazer]

I am going to print out hand signals for tree work and put in truck for groundsman to learn.

 

This is what i've got so far - please feel free to add.

 

1/ Tap helmet - watch out, keep clear.

2/ slash throat - turn off chipper / chainsaws.

3/ Index finger only small circles - 1 wrap

5 peace sign ( 2 fingers ) small circles - 2 wraps.

6/ fist - circles- lock off rope , couple wraps and half hitches.

7/ arm fully extended above head - tie on chainsaw.

8/ 2 fists together - tie on rope.

9/ fingers in eyes - look out , wake up and pay attention.

 

 

feel free to add.

 

For me 1/tap helmet = crane boom.

 

Ok I come from a heavy engineering background but am suprised by the lack of signals. You can't use radios in a noisy ships engineroom - so it must be hand signals. When I worked in a large factory, the maintenace gang for safety would put their own driver in the overhead crane cab, and only one guy would give signals.

 

The hardest bit of crane operating I have seen was in drydock with a dockyard crane lowering a heavy load into the engineroom of a oiltanker, so the operator couldn't see, so we had a signal guy by the funnel. Hand signals were used to change a ships prop - very exacting work, so why no treework.

 

I used to supervise erection gangs in the UK and overseas, so working in central Brazil on Hyrdo dams it was a sort of international hand signals but it worked.

 

Lifting procedures and ratings are everything the HSE would have a field day if there was no cordinated system following an accident if they asked a 'groundie' to ID the load ratings and signals.

[Stephen Blair]

If the saw is running, look up:)

2 types of groundie.

Ok and brillant.

The first will only ever be ok, the latter doesn't need to be spoken too, because he or she will of already done it:)

[jaime bray]

I am going to print out hand signals for tree work and put in truck for groundsman to learn.

 

This is what i've got so far - please feel free to add.

 

1/ Tap helmet - watch out, keep clear.

2/ slash throat - turn off chipper / chainsaws.

3/ Index finger only small circles - 1 wrap

5 peace sign ( 2 fingers ) small circles - 2 wraps.

6/ fist - circles- lock off rope , couple wraps and half hitches.

7/ arm fully extended above head - tie on chainsaw.

8/ 2 fists together - tie on rope.

9/ fingers in eyes - look out , wake up and pay attention.

 

 

feel free to add.

 

Martyn,

 

I personally think it is a good idea, if not for the more seasoned arborists to adopt the signals, at least for the next generation.

 

What could be an option is if the appropriate signals are identified, then through the AA's AWG (arborists working group) we could get it produced and proofed and into a format, and it could go into the AA's help for arborists section on their website; where it can be downloaded, along with the other free templates that are being produced and made available for our ease of use and incorporation into our daily business activities.

 

Just a bump to anybody else with similiar good ideas; such as making this kind of communication mainstream knowledge for new members of the industry, please feel free to contact me at [email protected]

 

Thanks Jaime

[JimM]

Interesting thread. Being in the Air force we have hand signals for all sorts, load/reversing vehicles, marshalling and/or loading aircraft.

 

With several arms thrown up in horror at NPTC modules/college training, would getting the AA or similar to push a list at HSE to produce an AFAG guide be an option?

 

I read these publications as guidelines and not mandatory practice. Perhaps a way of getting a common system published and visible across the trade without too much pain?