A guide to working Arboriculture

[jaime bray]

With so many recent requests in arbtalk for employment opportunities, I thought it would be a good thread too start to give newcomers to the arboricultural industry a guide to what is expected of them if they get an opportunity.

 

To some, the work ethic and common sense required to work in Arboriculture/forestry is second nature, to others it's a shock to the system.

 

Please feel free to give any guidance, tips, tricks or expected requirements you feel would be of benefit to people working in Arboriculture.

 

Even old dogs can learn new tricks.

[jaime bray]

If you have not got a task to do, ask somebody if anything needs doing.

[jaime bray]

If you hear a change in the sound of a chainsaw when running, and it goes slightly high pitched, then this could be a sign it is low on petrol. Once you are familiar with this noticeable change, ask the saw operator if they need petrol fetching.

 

This saves valuable minutes on site, and also let's climber know you have their back covered. They may not have noticed it themselves as concentrating on other aspects of their job, and maybe about to commence a large sectional fell, or limb removal.

 

Chainsaws cutting out halfway through a cut up a tree is not favourable.

[Steve Bullman]

If you hear a change in the sound of a chainsaw when running, and it goes slightly high pitched, then this could be a sign it is low on petrol. Once you are familiar with this noticeable change, ask the saw operator if they need petrol fetching.

 

This saves valuable minutes on site, and also let's climber know you have their back covered. They may not have noticed it themselves as concentrating on other aspects of their job, and maybe about to commence a large sectional fell, or limb removal.

 

Chainsaws cutting out halfway through a cut up a tree is not favourable.

 

Better still, go and get the petrol without communicating anything.

[Starscream]

Ask questions, the best way to learn is from first hand experience. Although, there may be a fine line between being an annoyance and being interested!!! Find the right balance. Start with basics as well.. There's little point in asking about complex rigging scenarios that you will not understand. If you haven't done any courses yet perhaps you could ask how to sharpen a chain so you can then be useful.

[Luckyeleven]

If you notice someone doing something unsafe, flag them up on it. they may not like it, but they will respect you for it.

[jaime bray]

Just because you can't hear the chainsaw revving away, this does not mean it's safe to enter a drop zone.

 

In circumstance where communication with climber is not visual, (for instance, if they're in the top off a wide, large, high hedge) if you have to enter the drop zone, do so under caution, looking upwards towards climber more than you normally would.

 

Climbers can sometimes stack branches in the top of hedge whilst they reposition themselves to enable them to throw to ground any cut branches, particularly in wide hedges.

 

Calling out the usual words; used in your team, for climber to beware of people below as you enter the drop zone.

[Starscream]

Just because you can't hear the chainsaw revving away, this does not mean it's safe to enter a drop zone.

 

In circumstance where communication with climber is not visual, (for instance, if they're in the top off a wide, large, high hedge) if you have to enter the drop zone, do so under caution, looking upwards towards climber more than you normally would.

 

Climbers can sometimes stack branches in the top of hedge whilst they reposition themselves to enable them to throw to ground any cut branches, particularly in wide hedges.

 

Calling out the usual words; used in your team, for climber to beware of people below as you enter the drop zone.

 

As a climber, if I can't see the drop zone or even if I can I'll usually be heard yelling 'clear?' So ground staff are aware something is making its way to earth. Wait for a response, then chuck away!

[jaime bray]

As a climber, if I can't see the drop zone or even if I can I'll usually be heard yelling 'clear?' So ground staff are aware something is making its way to earth. Wait for a response, then chuck away!

 

I do the same, but many do not. Hear of some quite arrogant climbers operating in UK arb. The mentality, it's the groundmans job to avoid me not vice versa. Some people aren't team players, and I'm sure there are some on arbtalk who work daily with such people