Watch your head... Ouch!!

[jaime bray]

I think a set of hand signals are a good idea but given that this is a health and safety issue I don't see how you can exclude radio comms on the basis that it's 200 quid and it might get broken.

 

For crane work where line of sight is often obscured and work positioning often means you cant be looking at the crane operator or lift supervisor, radio comms is by far the best option. As others have said, radio is now the default option on most lifts.

 

There are radio systems on the market that combine with the safety helmet. If you break that you have more to worry about than a busted radio.

 

On the price issue there are some excelent radio sets that cost in the hundreds but there are also sets that are so cheap they are prcticaly single use sets.

 

I take my phone up trees on a daily basis and have yet to break one.

 

Absolutely, the cost of something should never be the ultimate decider for health and safety in my opinion, unless there is a suitable alternative that does not hinder or jeapordise the safety of a crew.

 

In more advanced arboriculture or with busier and noisy sites a radio comm may be the only option, if the purchase of the equipment can be justified by the comapnies health and safety representative then that should be the case for the purchase of them.

 

But there will be many an occasion where equally the use of hand signals will be as efficient as a voicecom set up, and this was produced as an alternative. I guess for some companies in this economic climate,if its a choice between repairing a saw, a chipper, or purchasing operational suppiles or buying a radio com then the former may prove to be the choice made, if so this may help until funds permit the purchase of such equipment.

 

I personally have never used radio comm's, so my awareness of the equipment out there is limited. In your opinion could you give us a few examples of which you feel would be a good purchase at a not too sily price, of course the AA would have to be neutral and couldnt favour a particular company, but if you would like to put together and send through to me at [email protected], a word document on what you feel would be the basic equipment features that arbs should be looking for when purchasing them, then we will get the AA to produce a footnote or an add-on guidance note for radio comms in arboriculture.

 

Thanks for the feedback

[skyhuck]

thats what a strop on the saw and a work positioning lanyard is for!

 

That comment would suggest you have not done many crane jobs Tony.

[scotspine1]

that is if you are refering to the arms out wide sign, which was a bone of contention at first.

 

Not just that one, the 'let it run' signal with the 2 hands rolling will never work in the real world it's no good. You need to be more specific with what you want the groundworker to do ie

 

If you want 2 wraps on the portawrap or lowering device you give the groundie the V sign followed by drawing a circle shape with your index finger to indicate 2 wraps, then if you want him to let it run follow the circle shape with a straight down motion with the same finger like you were drawing a vertical line from top to bottom on a small blackboard, it doesn't have to be big exaggerrated movements, just short compact movements - it should all be done from start to finish in a clear fluid motion like sign language then wait for him to load the lowering device and give the thumbs up or a vocal response like 'ready to go' is even better.

 

Let's say you want to hold the section of timber/branch as it's above a roof and you can't let it run and you only want to use 1 wrap -

 

hold up your index finger for the 1 follow this by drawing a circle shape for the wrap with the same finger then a clenched fist for hold, again wait for the thumbs up etc from the groundie.

 

 

.

Edited June 2, 2012 by scotspine1

[jaime bray]

Not just that one, the 'let it run' signal with the 2 hands rolling will never work in the real world it's no good. You need to be more specific with what you want the groundworker to do ie

 

If you want 2 wraps on the portawrap or lowering device you give the groundie the V sign followed by drawing a circle shape with your index finger to indicate 2 wraps, then if you want him to let it run follow the circle shape with a straight down motion with the same finger like you were drawing a vertical line from top to bottom on a small blackboard, it doesn't have to be big exaggerrated movements, just short compact movements - it should all be done from start to finish in a clear fluid motion like sign language then wait for him to load the lowering device and give the thumbs up or a vocal response like 'ready to go' is even better.

 

Let's say you want to hold the section of timber/branch as it's above a roof and you can't let it run and you only want to use 1 wrap -

 

hold up your index finger for the 1 follow this by drawing a circle shape for the wrap with the same finger then a clenched fist for hold, again wait for the thumbs up etc from the groundie.

 

 

.

 

Thanks to all for the feedback, Scots pine, I had to read that twice, but I understand what you are saying. What does everybody else think to this as a suggestion for lowering communications?

 

Your opinions are very much desired, and we are going to be finalising over the next ten days so we will be moving quickly with the suggestions.

 

Thanks again

[jaime bray]

As been said before, 2 handed signals are limiting. An example would be a groundie giving the OK signal whilst holding onto a tensioned line. Not as practical as a thumbs up ?

 

Hi pete, Thanks for the comments, I was thinking similiar but then thought well if you have the rope in hand, would it be that awkward to raise one hand to the right and one to the left whilst still holding the rope.. admittedly the chainsaw may prove more contentious.

 

What do you think?

[RobArb]

that is if you are refering to the arms out wide sign, which was a bone of contention at first.

 

Not just that one, the 'let it run' signal with the 2 hands rolling will never work in the real world it's no good. You need to be more specific with what you want the groundworker to do ie

 

If you want 2 wraps on the portawrap or lowering device you give the groundie the V sign followed by drawing a circle shape with your index finger to indicate 2 wraps, then if you want him to let it run follow the circle shape with a straight down motion with the same finger like you were drawing a vertical line from top to bottom on a small blackboard, it doesn't have to be big exaggerrated movements, just short compact movements - it should all be done from start to finish in a clear fluid motion like sign language then wait for him to load the lowering device and give the thumbs up or a vocal response like 'ready to go' is even better.

 

Let's say you want to hold the section of timber/branch as it's above a roof and you can't let it run and you only want to use 1 wrap -

 

hold up your index finger for the 1 follow this by drawing a circle shape for the wrap with the same finger then a clenched fist for hold, again wait for the thumbs up etc from the groundie.

 

 

.

 

Pretty much what we use and it works:thumbup:

 

One hand is all you need to signal if its done properly:biggrin:

 

Sent from my Galaxy S2

[jaime bray]

Pretty much what we use and it works:thumbup:

 

One hand is all you need to signal if its done properly:biggrin:

 

Sent from my Galaxy S2

 

The more I read this the more I like it. i shall get the task team to check up on this thread.

 

Anybody else like to concur!!!!! lol