Arborists Hand Signals By the AWG

[jaime bray]

my first thoughts was where's the rest, especally for rigging. (how big, how many raps, tight /run, swing/drop ect)dont try incorperate unversal signals this can be confusing when rigging and doing traffic!

 

Thanks you for the response. It was decided early on in the process that to be completely inclusive of every aspect of arboricultural operations would not be feasible as we all do things differently. But that something as a base to work from would be good.

 

If new employees are able to come in to your company and you can say this is the basic form of communication we use, it will assist us and you in keeping the site safe if you become familiar with them, then it will only serve as a benefit in the long run.

 

We also wanted it to be double sided A4 sheet to fit in the health and safety folder that many vans now have, so this became a restrictive factor to the extent we could go to, but primarily we felt that an exhaustive list was not feasible and may have become too confusing.

 

Thanks Jaime

[jaime bray]

Interesting topic! AA signals seem counter-intuitive. especially one hand up for stop. This ofr us usually means either OK or 'akcnowledged, I'll go and do that asap'. For me the most important one os for switching off saw. With a saw off communication is always then easier.

On a windy day or when high up sometimes shouting isn't enough. I usually supplement what I am saying about a cut by indicating with forearm (with elbow against back of teh other hand) what is to happen with branch to be cut eg. fold up, fold down, hinge and swing left etc.

And a sweep of the arm indicates the need to clear an area better than tapping a helmet.

So, I suppose we all have our own systems. As long as they are pre-agreed on site and are unambiguous and easily remembered it doesn't much matter what they are.

I would add though that for traffic management something that can be seen from 200m away when the signaller is little more than a silhouette has to be needed. Whole arms then become essential.

 

200m away you cant miss two arms out to the side, especially if in hivis jackets not vests.

 

I think tapping the helmet means mind your heads below, to which a groundie could maybe respond with arms out to the side. this would inform the climber that as far as everyone is aware the job can proceed.

 

Thanks for feedback

[jaime bray]

Did a slinger signaler course some years back for crane work (may have moved on from back then), but were shown a bunch of generically recognized hand signals that are form memory much the same as those in that doc.

I also recall the fella instructing us saying that as long as everyone around is familiar with certain signs for specific opp's then all is ok. So I guess common sense prevails in most situations and good team communication is key.

Good idea to have such an info sheet put together though for the basics. Rules made to be bent.

 

Could it be the case that as an employer if you have made efforts to make a form of comminucation known to all employees and it is a step to making the site safe and an accident occurs, then maybe if everybody has had a copy or signed a sheet to say that they are aware of the company communication system when on site, then it may help defend against any mal practice in such unfortunate casesas anaccident occuring?

 

Does anybody have any experience of defensible and not defensible actions etc in the workplace?

 

Thanks for the comments

Edited October 22, 2012 by jaime bray

[jaime bray]

Hi Jamie,

I scanned these from the AA mag a few weeks back and put them up in our workshop, the feedback was very good and to be honest anything like this is a step in the right direction.

The AWG is a good idea, keep up the good work !

 

Thanks rigger bear, The document is downloadable from the AA website under help for arborists icon should you wish to have a better copy.

 

Are you aware of the AA welsh branch and the activity going on there at the moment? If you want to get involved please feel free to contact me at [email protected]

 

It has been taken over by a new chairman and things are moving on well.

Edited October 22, 2012 by jaime bray

[Danavan]

Could it be the case that as an employer if you have made efforts to make a form of comminucation known to all employees and it is a step to making the site safe and an accident occurs, then maybe if everybody has had a copy or signed a sheet to say that they are aware of the company communication system when on site, then it may help defend against any mal practice in such unfortunate casesas anaccident occuring?

 

I have no experience if this would be the case, but it makes perfect sense to me that that action plan implemented would show a progressive dynamic move in the right direction in on going site safety in any company & would go alot further than non at all.

All company's are different so a generic form is one step, however a modification to your own needs & wants is not a bad thing & shows evolution which imo goes a long way. Some may disagree though so I stand to be corrected ( hopefully not in a court of law)