Would you climb?

[slack ma girdle]

With all due respect, and 'yes' similarly I have climbed stuff like this (and probably worse) myself in the past, this is another example of the 'risk taking' culture which is accepted (by some...by many) within our industry. And, perhaps, (said with the utmost respect and compassion), why too often we are passing on our concerns, and sometimes condolenses, to others with our industry who have been seriously, or fatally, injured.

 

To give the (likely) 'regulators' perspective, i.e. HSE not AA, then your approach and planning for 'working at height' failed, because you would not have got past 'MEWP', and, in the event of anything untoward happening, and particularly to an employee / engaged sub-contactor (AKA 'an employee'...in HSEs eyes), you would likley be found negligent and the costs associated with that would far exceed hiring in a MEWP.

 

I think also the very fact you're asking means there's a doubt!

 

I know it's easy for me to say as I don't have to face the grind every day as you guys do, but please, please think carefully and perhaps ask yourself the question that if something did go wrong could I hold my hand up and say I did all that was 'reasonable', and safe, to plan and undertake this work.

 

Thanks fer reading all n please 'stay safe' out there..!

 

Cheers..

Paul

 

I think that there is just as much a a chance of the tree going over and knocking the mewp, as there is of the tree falling over with you in it.

Assess the risk (personally). If you is not happy then don't do it and walk away.

As mentioned earlier the tree is tied off, and your weight is not going to make alot of difference.

[Mick Stockbridge]

I wonder how many in here have seen a tree go over with the climber in it.

I have, luckily the climber survived.

[Big 'Ammer]

I think that there is just as much a a chance of the tree going over and knocking the mewp, as there is of the tree falling over with you in it.

QUOTE]

 

Only if you park the mewp under the lean of the tree.

[slack ma girdle]

I think that there is just as much a a chance of the tree going over and knocking the mewp' date=' as there is of the tree falling over with you in it.

QUOTE']

 

Only if you park the mewp under the lean of the tree.

 

What if the tree goes sideways into the MEWP ?

[Big 'Ammer]

 

What if the tree goes sideways into the MEWP ?

 

Then you have still set the mewp up in the wrong place.

[Stephen Blair]

 

Then you have still set the mewp up in the wrong place.

 

Ha ha, brilliant:lol:

[Pete Mctree]

"No. Sorry Mr/Mrs Landowner, Mr/Mrs Highways Boss, Mr/Mrs Ambulance Driver etc etc. You can't use this important arterial route for at least 24 hours as I have to arrange the hire of a MEWP & then find someone experienced & suitably qualified to operate it."

 

Would the tree be there when I got back?

[skyhuck]

"No. Sorry Mr/Mrs Landowner, Mr/Mrs Highways Boss, Mr/Mrs Ambulance Driver etc etc. You can't use this important arterial route for at least 24 hours as I have to arrange the hire of a MEWP & then find someone experienced & suitably qualified to operate it."

 

Would the tree be there when I got back?

 

No, because I'd have done it while you were waiting for the MEWP

[skyhuck]

Sadly there are far to many accidents within our industry, often leaving people badly injured or even dead, but I can't recall one where it was caused by the tree failing with the climber in it.

 

I have read of a few accidents where MEWP's failed.

[Tom D]

Quite true, also I can't recall an accident where a climber fell where he had followed the guide to good climbing practice to the letter. Few of us do, myself included, but assuming all things are equal i.e. a climber following the "rules" to the letter and a mewp operator doing the same then the mewp is by far the most dangerous option. Mewps have fallen over when they were being used correctly, Just ask Dean..

 

If as many trees were"mewped" as were climbed we would see the true picture.

 

We have all cut limbs off and had them do something unexpected, as climbers we are generally above them and so its rarely a problem, in a mewp a limb could easily catch the basket, break a hydraulic hose, bounce on the ground and hit the boom, stabiliser, chassis etc etc...