AES Global Safety Standard Safety Standard Number: AES-STD-26.

0
Tree Trimming/Vegetation Management Effective Date: 32!0"
A##roved by: Global Safety $evie% Date 32!0"
1.0 Purpose
T&i' 'afety 'tandard i' e'tabli'&ed to reduce t&e ri'(' involved in tree trimmin) and ve)etation
mana)ement.
T&i' 'afety 'tandard i' e'tabli'&ed to #rovide direction for 'afe %or( %&ile trimmin) or fellin) tree'
t&at are in t&e vicinity of live circuit'. *runin) and removin) tree' near live electric circuit' i' &i)&
ri'( %or( and '&ould be re'erved for +ualified ,ine--learance Arbori't'. A +ualified ,ine-
-learance Arbori't i' tau)&t to do ba'ic tree #runin) and tree removal near live circuit' %&ere
electrical &a/ard' are #re'ent. and mu't maintain clearance' ba'ed on t&e 0133 table li'ted in
'ection 2.2.2 of t&i' document. 3nle'' t&ey &ave received trainin) e4uivalent to a certified
arbori't. t&ey mu't be able to reco)ni/e %&en tree removal or tree trimmin) i' beyond t&eir '(ill'
and e4ui#ment.
Eac& AES 5#eration mu't develo# 'ite '#ecific #rocedure' t&at at a minimum. com#ly %it& t&i'
'afety 'tandard and all a##licable re)ional re)ulation' re)ardin) Tree Trimmin)6e)etation
7ana)ement on tran'mi''ion line'. di'tribution line' and in 'ub'tation'. AES 5#eration' may
e'tabli'& 'afety-related #olicie' or #ractice' t&at are more 'trin)ent t&an t&e #olicie' and #ractice
identified in t&i' 'tandard.
2.0 Scope
T&i' 'afety 'tandard a##lie' to Tree Trimmin)6e)etation 7ana)ement on tran'mi''ion and
di'tribution 'y'tem'. and in 'ub'tation'.
Note: 8or t&e #ur#o'e of t&i' 'tandard. all reference' to t&e term 9arbori't: refer' to bot& arbori't
;+ualified Arbori't. and +ualified ,ine--learance Arbori't< cla''ification' a' defined by t&i'
'tandard.
2.1 Exemptions
1. Electrical a%arene'' i' covered in t&e Electrical Safety +ualification Standard. AES-STD-
11.0
2. Electrical #rotection for #eo#le %or(in) around boom-e4ui##ed ve&icle' in t&e vicinity of
live circuit' i' covered in t&e 7obil E4ui#ment Standard. AES-STD-30.
3. Traffic -ontrol i' covered in t&e =or( 0one Traffic -ontrol Standard. AES-STD-2.0
3.0 Definitions
1.2.3 7et&od of *runin) - -ut one. i' an under cut out about 1" inc&e' ;0.2 m<. to #revent a
limb from '#littin) or cau'e t&e bar( to 'tri#. -ut 2 %ill remove t&e %ei)&t and cut 3 allo%' a
clean cut in t&e de'ired location >u't out'ide of t&e branc& collar ;branc& bar( rid)e<.
Arbori't -limbin) $o#e ? A ro#e identified by t&e manufacturer a' 'uitable for tree climbin).
%it& a minimum normal brea(in) 'tren)t& of about 2@00 #ound' ;2@ (N< %&en ne%. a &i)& &eat
tolerance and maAimum %or(in) 'tretc& of le'' t&an ! #ercent. An eAam#le of a climbin) ro#e
de'i)ned for arbori't' i' a t&ree-'trand B inc& ;12.2 mm< nylon or braided #olye'ter %it& a
Dacron eAterior '&eat& ro#e.
Tree Trimmin)6e)etation 7ana)ement *a)e 1
AES Global Safety Standard Safety Standard Number: AES-STD-26.0
Tree Trimming/Vegetation Management Effective Date: 32!0"
A##roved by: Global Safety $evie% Date 32!0"
A'cendin) or De'cendin) Device' ? mec&anical ro#e )rab device'. a##roved by ANSC 0133
t&at can be u'ed in'tead of a climbin) &itc&.
Delay ? A 'ecured ro#in) tec&ni4ue mana)ed by a )round #er'on. to #rovide fall #rotection for
a climbin) arbori't.
-arabineer. *o'itive ,oc(in) - A carabineer. %&ic& u#on clo'in). automatically move' into t&e
loc(ed #o'ition %&ic& re4uire' a minimum of t%o 'e#arate o#eration' to #re#are t&e )ate to
o#en.
-limbin) Eitc& - A &itc& u'ed for 'ecurin) a tree climber to t&e climbin) ro#e to #rovide %or(
#o'itionin) 'y'tem and a controlled decent. EAam#le' of climbin) &itc&e' are t&e tautline &itc&.
Dla(e' &itc& and t&e *ru'i( &itc&.
Dan)er Tree -1 - Any 'tandin) tree t&at #re'ent' a &a/ard to em#loyee' or t&at are tall enou)&
to fall into a #o%er line. due to condition' 'uc& a'. but not limited to. deterioration or dama)e to
t&e tree. and direction or lean of t&e tree. Si)n' of a dan)er tree can be:
1. ,ar)e. dead branc&e' and &an)er' in t&e tree and on t&e )round.
2. -rac(' or '#lit' in t&e trun( or %&ere branc&e' are attac&ed.
3. -avitie' or rotten %ood alon) t&e trun( or in ma>or branc&e'.
Electrical &a/ard ? An electrical &a/ard eAi't' %&en a %or(er. tool. tree. or any ot&er conductive
ob>ect i' clo'er t&an 10F ;3.02m< from an ener)i/ed over&ead electrical conductor rated 20 (6.
#&a'e to #&a'e or le''. or clo'er t&an 10F G @10t&' ;3.02 m G 10mm< for eac& (ilovolt over 20
(6. =&en an electrical &a/ard eAi't'. minimum a##roac& di'tance' '&all be maintained and
only 4ualified line-clearance arbori't' or 4ualified line clearance arbori't trainee' '&all #erform
t&e %or( %it&in #roAimity of electrical conductor'.
8al'e -rotc& - A 'y'tem u'ed to 'u##ort an arbori't climbin) ro#e %&en a natural crotc& i' not
available. A fal'e crotc& incor#orate' rin)' or a #ulley. or 'ome ot&er device %it& a minimum
ten'ile 'tren)t& of 2.000 #ound' ;2200 ()< t&at %ill allo% u'e of t&e climbin) ro#e 'y'tem.
+ualified Arbori't? An individual %&o #o''e''ion of a reco)ni/ed de)ree certification or
#rofe''ional 'tandin) or t&rou)& related trainin) and on-t&e->ob eA#erience i' familiar %it& t&e
e4ui#ment. and &a/ard' involved in arboricultural o#eration' and %&o &a' demon'trated ability
in t&e #erformance of t&e '#ecial tec&ni4ue' involved.
+ualified ,ine--learance Arbori't - An individual %&o t&rou)& related trainin) and on t&e >ob
eA#erience. i' familiar %it& t&e e4ui#ment and &a/ard' in line clearance and &a' demon'trated
ability to #erform t&e '#ecial tec&ni4ue' involved.
Tree Trimmin)6e)etation 7ana)ement *a)e 2
AES Global Safety Standard Safety Standard Number: AES-STD-26.0
Tree Trimming/Vegetation Management Effective Date: 32!0"
A##roved by: Global Safety $evie% Date 32!0"
Secured ? =&en an arbori't i' 'afe)uarded from unintended movement utili/in) a climbin)
'y'tem t&at i' attac&ed to t&e arbori't and connected to a tree or ot&er 'table 'u##ort.
EAam#le' of bein) 'ecured include but are not limited to:
1. =&en tied into a fall #rotection 'y'tem
2. =&en u'in) a %or(-#o'itionin) lanyard
3. =&en on belay
@. =&en a'cendin) t&e arbori't climbin) line u'in) t&e foot-loc( tec&ni4ue %&ile
utili/in) a climbin) &itc& or a'cender.
Tied Cn ? An arbori't i' con'idered tied-in %&en t&eir climbin) ro#e i' run t&rou)& a tree or
fal'e crotc& and t&e arbori't i' in a 'addle ;bo%line on a bi)&t< %it& a climbin) &itc& ;friction
&itc&< tied to t&e loo'e end of t&e climbin) ro#e to #rovide a %or( #o'ition and controlled
de'cent.
=or(in) $o#e ? A ro#e 'uitable for u'e in #roAimity to electrical circuit' ca#able of 'u##ortin)
t&e %ei)&t of any limb bein) removed.
4.0 Guiing Princip!es an "arina! #u!es
1. Eac& dan)er tree '&all be felled. removed. or avoided. Eac& dan)er tree. includin) lod)ed
tree' and 'na)'. '&all be felled or removed u'in) mec&anical or ot&er tec&ni4ue' t&at
minimi/e em#loyee eA#o'ure before %or( i' commenced in t&e area of t&e dan)er tree.
2. A tree climber mu't be #rotected from fallin) by a climbin) 'y'tem 'uc& a' t&e belay
'y'tem.
3. =or( in a tree may only be carried out %&en t&e %or(er i' tied-in.
@. E4ui#ment. tool' and ro#e' u'ed in t&e vicinity of live circuit' mu't be electrically te'ted.
in'#ected and (e#t clean a' #re'cribed by t&e Tree Trimmin)6e)etation 7ana)ement
*ro)ram.
2. 5nly +ualified ,ine--learance Arbori't' or +ualified ,ine--learance Arbori't' Trainee'.
under t&e direct 'u#ervi'ion of a +ualified ,ine--learance Arbori't' '&all be allo%ed to
%or( %&ere electrical &a/ard' are #re'ent.
Tree Trimmin)6e)etation 7ana)ement *a)e 3
AES Global Safety Standard Safety Standard Number: AES-STD-26.0
Tree Trimming/Vegetation Management Effective Date: 32!0"
A##roved by: Global Safety $evie% Date 32!0"
$.0 #e%uirements
Eac& AES 5#eration mu't develo# and im#lement a Tree Trimmin)6e)etation 7ana)ement
*ro)ram t&at. at a minimum. contain' t&e follo%in) element':
$.1 &ritten Program E!ements
1. T&e %ritten #rocedure mu't be le)ible. readable. and acce''ible by all 5#erationF'
#er'onnel.
2. T&e %ritten #rocedure mu't identify t&e #o'ition in t&e o#eration t&at i' ultimately
re'#on'ible for t&e im#lementation and maintenance of t&e 5#erationF' Tree
Trimmin)6e)etation 7ana)ement *ro)ram.
3. T&e %ritten #rocedure mu't clearly and '#ecifically outline t&e 'co#e. #ur#o'e.
re'#on'ibility. aut&ori/ation. rule'. and tec&ni4ue' to be a##lied for Tree
Trimmin)6e)etation 7ana)ement *ro)ram and t&e mea'ure' to enforce com#liance %it&
t&e #ro)ram.
$.2 Proceura! E!ements
1. Trees pruning - T&e Tree Trimmin)6e)etation 7ana)ement *ro)ram mu't define t&e
re4uirement' for #runin):
a. Directional #runin) ;S&i)o met&od< i' an indu'try 'tandard for #runin) near #o%er
line'. 5nly t&e branc&e' t&at &ead to%ard t&e #o%erline are #runedH t&o'e )ro%in)
do%n or a%ay from t&e line are left to )ro%.
b. A 'a% cut '&ould u'e t&e 1-2-3 met&od of #runin).
c. Dranc&e' '&ould not be to##ed. leavin) 'tub'. Cf a branc& mu't be '&ortened. it
'&ould be cut bac( to a lateral t&at i' lar)e enou)& 'o t&at t&e remainin) limb i' at
lea't 13 diameter of t&e limb t&at %a' removed. A3002.2.@ al'o S&i)oF' field #oc(et
)uide for 4ualified line-clearance tree %or(er'
Tree Trimmin)6e)etation 7ana)ement *a)e @
AES Global Safety Standard Safety Standard Number: AES-STD-26.0
Tree Trimming/Vegetation Management Effective Date: 32!0"
A##roved by: Global Safety $evie% Date 32!0"
$.0 #e%uirements
$.2 Proceura! E!ements
2. Tree 'or( near e!ectrica! circuits - T&e Tree Trimmin)6e)etation 7ana)ement *ro)ram
mu't define t&e re4uirement' for minimum a##roac& di'tance' for tree #runin):
a. T&e minimum a##roac& di'tance' for un4ualified %or(er' i' 10 feet ;3 m< from a
di'tribution electrical circuit and an additional @ inc&e' ;10 cm< for every 10 (6 over
t&at. i.e. 1@ feet ;@.3 m< for 16I (6. 16 feet ;@.I m< for 230 (6. and 22 feet ;!.6 m< for
200 (6H and
b. T&e minimum a##roac& di'tance' for a 4ualified arbori't i' outlined in t&e belo%
Nominal volta)e in
(ilovolt' ;(6< #&a'e
to #&a'e
Cnclude' 1I10.26I elevation
factor. 'ea level to 2.000 ft.
8t ? in m
Cnclude' 1I10.26I elevation
factor. 2.000 to 10.000 ft.
8t ? in m
Cnclude' 1I10.26I elevation
factor. 10.000 to [email protected] ft.
8t ? in m
0.021 to 0.3 Avoid contact Avoid contact Avoid contact
0.301 to 0.!2 1 01 0.33 1 03 0.3" 1 0@ 0.@1
o.!21 to 12.0 2 03 0.!0 2 0I 0."1 3 00 0.""
12.1 to 36.0 3 00 0.I1 3 03 1.0@ 3 0I 1.00
36.1 to @6.0 3 0@ 1.01 3 10 1.16 @ 02 1.0I
@6.1 to !2.2 @ 02 1.26 @ 0I 1.@@ 2 02 1.30
!2.6 to 121.0 @ 06 1.36 2 02 1.22 2 0! 1.6"
13".0 to [email protected] 2 02 1.3" 2 11 1."0 6 02 1.I6
161.0 to 16I.0 6 00 1."0 6 10 2.06 ! 02 2.23
230.0 to [email protected] ! 11 2.3I I 00 2.!3 I 0I 2.I3
[email protected] to 362.0 13 02 3.II 12 00 @.26 16 03 @.I@
200.0 to 220.0 1I 00 2.!" 21 0I 6.60 23 0! !.16
!62.0 to "00.0 2! 0@ ".31 31 03 I.30 33 10 10.2I
3. E!ectrica! )a*ars an "ontro!s - T&e Tree Trimmin)6e)etation 7ana)ement *ro)ram
mu't '#ecify ty#ical electrical &a/ard' and &a/ard control' to %&ic& arbori't' are eA#o'ed.
Arbori't' and ot&er %or(er' '&all be in'tructed t&at:
a. A direct contact i' made %&en any #art of t&e body touc&e' or contact' an ener)i/ed
electrical conductor.
b. An indirect contact can be made t&rou)& conductive tool'. tree branc&e'. truc('.
e4ui#ment or ot&er conductive ob>ect'. or a' a re'ult of communication %ire' and
cable'. fence' or )uy %ire' bein) accidently ener)i/ed.
Tree Trimmin)6e)etation 7ana)ement *a)e 2
AES Global Safety Standard Safety Standard Number: AES-STD-26.0
Tree Trimming/Vegetation Management Effective Date: 32!0"
A##roved by: Global Safety $evie% Date 32!0"
$.0 #e%uirements
$.2 Proceura! E!ements
c. Electric '&oc( %ill occur %&en a %or(er. by eit&er direct or indirect contact %it& an
ener)i/ed electrical conductor. ener)i/ed tree limb. tool. e4ui#ment or ot&er ob>ect
#rovide' a #at& for t&e flo% of electricity to a )rounded ob>ect or to t&e )round it'elf.
Simultaneou' contact %it& t%o ener)i/ed conductor' #&a'e to #&a'e %ill al'o cau'e
electrical '&oc( t&at may re'ult in 'eriou' or fatal in>urie'.
d. Electrical '&oc( may occur durin) a )round fault 'im#ly by 'tandin) near t&e )roundin)
ob>ect e.). an unin'ulated boom contactin) a live conductor and t&e electricity travel'
into t&e eart& t&rou)& t&e outri))er'. =or(er' 'tandin) near t&e outri))er' may
eA#erience a difference of #otential bet%een t&eir feet or &and' to feet if t&ey are in
contact %it& t&e ve&icle at t&e 'ame time a' t&e boom contact.
@. Specific proceures for 'or(ing in an e!ectrica! +a*ar en,ironment are a' follo%':
a. Cf t&e %or( cannot be done %&ile maintainin) t&e minimum a##roac& di'tance t&en
obtain an outa)e or u'e a##roved cover-u#H
b. An inadvertent movement or a limb brid)in) acro'' t&e #runer can cau'e electrical
contact.
c. Jee# t&e buc(et a%ay from 'econd-#oint'-of-contact and routinely u'e more in'ulated
#runer len)t& t&an t&e minimum a##roac& di'tanceH
d. Cf a limb i' ma(in) direct contact %it& an ener)i/ed line. do not climb t&e tree. Cf t&e tree
i' acce''ible. remove t&e limb u'in) an in'ulated #runer. %or(in) from an in'ulated
aerial device and %&ile not ma(in) bodily contact %it& any #art of t&e tree. Cf t&e tree i'
not acce''ible by an in'ulated aerial device t&e conductor mu't be deener)i/ed and t&e
arbori't climb' t&e tree and u'e' a #runer #ole. or a c&ain'a% %it& rubber )love' to
remove t&e limb.
e. =&en #erformin) non emer)ency trimmin). of ve)etation %it&in minimum clearance
and t&e ve)etation i' not ener)i/ed. t&e limb i' removed %it& a #runer #ole by cuttin)
'mall #iece' t&at are ea'ily controllable #rovided t&e 4ualified line-clearance arbori't
maintain' minimum clearance. Cf t&e limb i' too lar)e for a #runer #ole. t&e trimmer %ill
eit&er re4ue't to &ave t&e line de-ener)i/ed or #ut rubber )love' on and u'e a
c&ain'a%. Cf t&e conductor i' de-ener)i/ed and )rounded. re)ular %or( #ractice' may
be u'ed.
f. T&e climberF' %ei)&t on a limb may cau'e it to ma(e contact %it& and electrical circuit.
-limb t&e 'ide of t&e tree fart&e't from t&e conductor and face to%ard t&e &a/ard to
(ee# it vi'ible. -&oo'e a crotc& to tie into t&at %ould tend to '%in) you a%ay from t&e
conductor in ca'e of a 'li# or fallH
). ,imb' and branc&e' bein) dro##ed can cau'e a burn off of lo%er conductor'H can
cau'e lo%er brittle conductor' to brea(H and can '&ort-circuit a lo%er boom in'ert.
En'ure t&e no one i' under t&e circuit bein) %or(ed on and in t&e fallin) #at& of t&e
di'carded branc&H and
&. A 'econd %or(er. trained to #erform a re'cue. mu't be #re'ent %it&in normal voice
di'tance %&en any conductor i' ener)i/ed at !20 volt' or more. i' %it&in 10 feet of t&e
%or(er.
Tree Trimmin)6e)etation 7ana)ement *a)e 6
AES Global Safety Standard Safety Standard Number: AES-STD-26.0
Tree Trimming/Vegetation Management Effective Date: 32!0"
A##roved by: Global Safety $evie% Date 32!0"
$.0 #e%uirements
$.2 Proceura! E!ements
2. Tree trimming from an -eria! .ift - T&e Tree Trimmin)6e)etation 7ana)ement *ro)ram
mu't '#ecify 'afe o#eratin) #rocedure' for an aerial device:
a. T&at an aerial lift mu't be maintained and o#erated %it&in t&e limitation' of t&e
manufacturer'K '#ecification'. includin) dielectric ratin). u'e of outri))er'. %&eel
c&oc('. and buc(et ca#acitie' not eAceeded.
b. Aerial lift' u'ed near ener)i/ed circuit' mu't be e4ui##ed %it& u##er and lo%er control'.
T&e lo%er control' '&all be ca#able of #o'itively overridin) t&e u##er control' and be
clearly mar(ed and #rotected from fallin) branc&e'H
c. A daily in'#ection of t&e ve&icle and t&e aerial buc(et e4ui#ment mu't be done #rior to
'tartin) %or(H
d. A minimum a##roac& limit mu't be e'tabli'&ed for t&e in'ulated boom and buc(et and
for any unin'ulated #ortion of t&e aerial device. Aerial lift bein) u'ed in #roAimity to
electrical circuit' mu't &ave it' boom dielectrically te'ted at lea't annually to ANSC
Standard AI2.2H
e. An a##roved buc(et liner '&ould be u'ed in an aerial lift u'ed in near ener)i/ed circuit'.
T&e liner' need to be te'ted annually a' #er ANSC Standard AI2.2H
f. Cf ridin) in an aerial buc(et to t&e neAt tree i' allo%ed. t&en '#ecification' 'uc& a'
buc(et #o'ition and '#eed mu't be '#ecifiedH and
). T&e ty#e and location of %or( #ermitted by t&e 'econd #er'on %&ile actin) a' an
ob'erver.
&. All em#loyee'contractor' %or(in) in an aerial lift mu't be e4ui##ed %it& a #er'onal fall
arre't 'y'tem t&at i' com#liant %it& t&e AES 8all *revention Standard ? Generation and
TLD. [email protected]
6. Tree c!im/ing - T&e Tree Trimmin)6e)etation 7ana)ement *ro)ram mu't '#ecify 'afe
o#eratin) #rocedure' for tree climbin):
a. -limber' mu't be e4ui##ed and trained in t&e u'e of fall #rotection 'y'tem' 'uc& a' a
belayin) 'y'tem %&ere t&e climbin) ro#e i' u'ed for fall #rotection.
b. 5nly a##roved Arbori't -limbin) ro#e' '&all be u'ed for climbin). -limbin) ro#e'
'&ould be a different color to (ee# t&em di'tinct from %or(in) ro#e'.
c. T&e Taut ,ine Eitc& &a' &i'torically been t&e &itc& t&at &eld an arbori't in a %or(in)
#o'ition and allo%' a controlled de'cent to ot&er %or(in) #o'ition' and to t&e )round.
T%o ot&er friction &itc&e' t&at can be u'ed are t&e *ru''i( and Dla(e'.
Tree Trimmin)6e)etation 7ana)ement *a)e !
AES Global Safety Standard Safety Standard Number: AES-STD-26.0
Tree Trimming/Vegetation Management Effective Date: 32!0"
A##roved by: Global Safety $evie% Date 32!0"
$.0 #e%uirements
$.2 Proceura! E!ements
!. "!im/ing )a*ars an "ontro!s - T&e Tree Trimmin)6e)etation 7ana)ement *ro)ram
mu't '#ecify ty#ical climbin) &a/ard' to %&ic& arbori't' are eA#o'ed and &a/ard control':
a. Cn'#ect t&e tree for. dead and bro(en limb'. '#lit' and decay to en'ure t&at t&e tree i'
not cla''ified a' a dan)er tree.
b. -&ec( for %a'#bee&ornet ne't' and ot&er #otential in'ect or animal &a/ard'H
c. Cdentify t&e location and volta)e of any nearby #o%er line' and for any limb contact %it&
t&e treeH
d. -&oo'e a crotc& t&at %ill be an anc&or #oint for 'afe climbin) and for anc&orin) an
arbori't in variou' %or(in) #o'ition' %&ile de'cendin). -&oo'e a crotc& directly above
t&e %or( area. in a #o'ition %&ere a 'li# %ould '%in) t&e arbori't a%ay from any #o%er
line'.
e. To reac& t&e lo%er branc&e' u'in) 'ectional ladder'. '&innin). and mec&anical
a'cender'. all re4uire' a climber to be tied in to a belay 'y'tem.
f. Cf tran'ferrin) from an aerial buc(et to a tree. t&e climber mu't tie into a climbin) ro#e
%it& a friction &itc&. anc&ored to a crotc& in t&e tree before removin) t&e lanyard
attac&ment to t&e boom.
). =&en u'in) limb' to climb. &and' and feet '&ould be on 'e#arate limb' and dead limb'
are bro(en or cut off on t&e %ay u#.
&. =&en 'electin) a crotc& to be)in climbin). u'e a crotc& ot&er t&an t&e lo%e't available
one. Dy &avin) at lea't one crotc& belo% t&e climbin) #oint. 'afety i' increa'ed in t&e
event t&at a limb t&at form' t&e crotc& bein) u'ed to climb %ould brea(.
i. =&en t&e 'elected crotc& i' reac&ed and it i' nece''ary to )o &i)&er. t&e climber mu't
'ecure t&em'elve' u'in) a lanyard around a main 'tem. T%o &and' are t&en available
to rai'e t&e ro#e to t&e neAt ;or final< crotc&.
". #escue proceures 0 T&e Tree Trimmin)6e)etation 7ana)ement *ro)ram mu't '#ecify
t&e e4ui#ment and trainin) re4uirement' for a tree and buc(et re'cue #lan:
a. =&en %or(in) in t&e vicinity of live circuit' over !20 volt'. a 'econd #er'on mu't be
#re'ent %it&in voice or vi'ual ran)e and trained to #erform a re'cue. T&e re'cuer mu't
al'o be trained in fir't aid and cardio#ulmonary re'u'citation ;-*$<.
b. A re'cuer mu't (no% and &ave #racticed &o% to lo%er a buc(et u'in) t&e lo%er control'
and &o% to )et a victim out of a buc(et.
c. A re'cuer mu't (no% and &ave #racticed &o% to 'afely climb a tree and &o% to lo%er an
in>ured %or(er from t&e tree. 5ne %ay to re'cue a %or(er from a tree i' to crotc& in at a
#o'ition above t&e ca'ualty. T&e re'cuer t&en de'cend' to t&e ca'ualty and tie' t&e
ca'ualtyF' 'addle to t&eir o%n 'addle by eit&er &oo(in) t&eir (arabiner' to)et&er. tyin) a
ro#e t&rou)& t&e t%o DF' of bot& 'addle' to)et&er ;u'in) t&e end of t&e ca'ualtyF' fall
line<. 3'in) t&e re'cuer' friction &itc& t&e re'cuer and t&e ca'ualty come do%n to)et&er.
Cf t&ere are more trained %or(er' #re'ent. a %or(er on t&e )round could ri) u# and
belay t&e t%o #eo#le to t&e )round.
Tree Trimmin)6e)etation 7ana)ement *a)e "
AES Global Safety Standard Safety Standard Number: AES-STD-26.0
Tree Trimming/Vegetation Management Effective Date: 32!0"
A##roved by: Global Safety $evie% Date 32!0"
$.0 #e%uirements
$.2 Proceura! E!ements
I. 1se an "are of Tree Trimming an 2e!!ing E%uipment 0 T&e Tree Trimmin)6e)etation
7ana)ement *ro)ram mu't '#ecify t&e 'afe o#eratin) #rocedure' for t&e u'e and care of
tree trimmin) and fellin) e4ui#ment:
a. Safe o#eratin) #rocedure for c&ain 'a%' '&all include:
i. T&e #o%er 'a% o#erator mu't %ear '#ecified &ead. eye. &earin). &and. foot. and le)
#rotectionH
ii. T&e 'a% mu't be e4ui##ed %it& a c&ain bra(e and a #rotective device t&at minimi/e'
c&ain-'a% (ic(bac(H
iii. T&e 'a% mu't be %ell-maintained and t&e c&ain (e#t '&ar#. T&e clutc& mu't be
ad>u'ted 'o t&at t&e clutc& %ill not en)a)e t&e c&ain drive at idlin) '#eed and i'
e4ui##ed %it& a continuou'-#re''ure t&rottle-control 'y'tem t&at %ill 'to# t&e c&ain
%&en #re''ure on t&e t&rottle i' relea'edH
iv. T&e 'a% en)ine mu't be 'to##ed for all cleanin). refuelin). ad>u'tment'. and re#air'.
eAce#t for ad>u'tment' t&at cannot be done %it&out t&e en)ine runnin)H
v. T&e 'a% mu't be 'tarted %&ile it i' &eld do%n firmly on a 'olid 'urface. 'uc& a' t&e
)round or a 'tum#. and t&e c&ain bra(e i' en)a)ed. =&en 'tartin) or o#eratin) a 'a%.
en'ure no one i' %it&in 6 feet ;2 m< of t&e 'a% o#erator. T&e 'a% i' 'tarted at lea't 10
feet ;3 m< a%ay from t&e fuelin) area. Dro# 'tartin) of a 'a% can be done 'afely only
from out'ide t&e buc(et of an aerial deviceH
vi. T&e 'a% mu't not be o#erated %it& only one &andH
vii. ,oo'e material t&at may catc& t&e 'a% i' removedH
viii. A 'a% %ei)&in) more t&an 20 #ound' ;I ()< mu't never be u'ed above t&e &ei)&t of
an o#eratorF' '&oulder. in an aerial ba'(et. or in a treeH
iA. =&en %or(in) in a tree. eAce#t %&en %or(in) from an aerial buc(et. a #o%er 'a%
%ei)&in) more t&an 12 #ound' ;6." ()< '&ould be 'u##orted by a 'e#arate %or( ro#e
tied in 'uc& a %ay t&at it %ill allo% t&e 'a% to '%in) clear of t&e o#eratorH
A. A #o%er 'a% '&ould not be rai'ed or lo%ered from a tree %it& t&e motor runnin).
Ai. Cn addition to a c&ain bra(e. t&e ri'( of (ic(bac( i' reduced %&en a '&ar#. #ro#erly
ten'ioned 9lo% (ic(bac( c&ain: i' u'ed and t&e 'a% i' &eld firmly %it& t%o &and' %&ile
'tandin) over t&e 'a%H and
Aii. Cf a 'a% become' tra##ed. '%itc& off t&e 'a% and. attac& it to a 'e#arate tool line. Try
liftin) t&e branc& and. %it& t&e c&ain'a% bra(e off. #ull t&e 'a% from t&e (erf. 5r u'e a
&and 'a% to relea'e t&e tra##ed 'a% by ma(in) a relea'e cut out%ard to%ard t&e ti#'
of t&e limb clo'e enou)& to allo% t&e undercut made earlier %it& t&e c&ain 'a% to be
effective.
Tree Trimmin)6e)etation 7ana)ement *a)e I
AES Global Safety Standard Safety Standard Number: AES-STD-26.0
Tree Trimming/Vegetation Management Effective Date: 32!0"
A##roved by: Global Safety $evie% Date 32!0"
$.0 #e%uirements
$.2 Proceura! E!ements
b. Safe o#eratin) #rocedure for #runer' '&all include:
i. T&e in'ulated #art' of t&e #runer and #ole 'a% mu't be cleaned daily before u'eH
=i#in) do%n t&e in'ulated #art' %it& i'o#ro#yl alco&ol %ill en'ure t&at t&e tool' are
dryH
ii. 3nle'' t&e ro#e in t&e #ole #runer i' live-line ro#e and te'ted and treated a' 'uc&.
t&e in'ulated lin( in t&e ro#e '&ould be cleaned dailyH
iii. T&e #runer. #ole 'a%. and &ydraulic &o'e ;if e4ui##ed< '&ould be 'c&eduled
re)ularly for an electric te'tH
iv. A &an)er on a conductor can be 'afely removed from t&e conductor %it& an
a##roved in'ulated &ydraulic or manual #runer or 'a%H
v. 7any cut' may be needed to '&orten branc&e' over&an)in) #o%er conductor'.
Eac& cut '&ould leave t&e branc& '&ort enou)& t&at it cannot brid)e #&a'e-to-#&a'e
%&en dro##edH
vi. =&en a lar)er limb i' to be removed. t&e limb '&ould be ro#ed or ri))ed %it& ro#e
bloc(' to #revent an uncontrolled relea'e of t&e limb andor conductorH and
vii. At t&e end of any #runin) >ob. every tree '&ould be in'#ected for &an)er' t&at may
become &a/ard' to t&e #ublic.
10. Tree 2e!!ing - T&e Tree Trimmin)6e)etation 7ana)ement *ro)ram mu't '#ecify t&e 'afe
o#eratin) #rocedure' for t&e fellin) tree':
a. Cn'#ect t&e tree for &a/ard' includin) nearby #o%er line'. climbin) &a/ard'. &an)er'.
dead %ood. re'tricted e'ca#e route and re'tricted dro# area for t&e treeH
b. -ontrol t&e direction of fall by notc&in) in t&e de'ired direction of fall. varyin) t&e
t&ic(ne'' of t&e &in)e on one 'ide andor u'in) a %ed)e in t&e bac( cut. Near #o%er
line' and buildin)'. t&e tree mu't be ro#ed.
c. Any tree t&at cannot be felled directly a%ay from a #o%er line '&ould be ta(en do%n
#iece-by-#iece. Cf t&e trun( cannot be felled. it i' al'o to be removed in #iece'.
d. *roblem tree' 'uc& a'. a tree leanin) t&e %ron) %ay. a &un) u# tree. a &eavy to#. a
tree %it& bro(en or dead limb'. a tree %it& a ma>or for( in t&e trun( or %&ere t&e fallin)
#at& i' &ard to #redict andor a re'tricted dro# #at&. re4uire' '(illed arbori't' and
'#eciali/ed e4ui#ment to carry out ta'(' li(e climbin). %or(in) aloft. ro#in). #iece-by-
#iece removal. crane or %inc&.
e. En'ure t&at clearance in t&e intended direction i' ade4uate for t&e tree to fall com#letely
to t&e )round. A lod)ed tree i' very &a/ardou'.
f. -lear a 'afe %or( area around t&e ba'e of t&e tree and remove limb'. underbru'& and
ot&er ob'truction' to #re#are a retreat #at&. T&e retreat #at& '&ould be at an
a##roAimate @2 de)ree an)le to t&e rear of t&e notc& in ca'e t&e tree (ic(' bac(%ard'
off t&e 'tum#.
). E'tabli'& an 9EAclu'ion: /one %&ic& i' an area %&ere everyone ot&er t&an t&e #er'on
de'i)nated to ma(e t&e bac( cut. Ty#ical eAclu'ion /one i' t%ice t&e len)t& of t&e tree.
&. =&en retreatin) from t&e cut tree t&e 'a% o#erator mu't not lo'e 'i)&t of t&e fallin) tree
in ca'e of %ind or a &eavy cro%n cau'e' t&e tree to fall in a different direction t&an
#lanned.
$.0 #e%uirements
Tree Trimmin)6e)etation 7ana)ement *a)e 10
AES Global Safety Standard Safety Standard Number: AES-STD-26.0
Tree Trimming/Vegetation Management Effective Date: 32!0"
A##roved by: Global Safety $evie% Date 32!0"
$.3 Program -ministration
1. Enforcement3 T&e o#eration '#ecific Tree Trimmin)6e)etation 7ana)ement *ro)ram %ill
li't t&e enforcement #olicie' for t&i' #ro)ram.
2. "!ear!4 Define #o!es #esponsi/i!ities3 T&e o#eration '#ecific Tree Trimmin)6e)etation
7ana)ement *ro)ram %ill clearly define t&e '#ecific role' and re'#on'ibilitie' of eac&
#o'ition involved in tree trimmin)ve)etation mana)ement.
3. -uiting3 T&e Tree Trimmin)6e)etation 7ana)ement *ro)ram %ill '#ecifically identify
&o% t&e #ro)ram %ill be in'#ectedaudited. 7ana)ement i' eA#ected to actively #artici#ate
in t&e in'#ectionaudit #roce'':
a. T&e AES 5#eration 'u#ervi'or' '&all conduct #eriodic in'#ection' of t&e a##lication
of t&e Tree Trimmin)6e)etation 7ana)ement *ro)ram to en'ure t&at t&e
re4uirement' are bein) effectively im#lemented.
b. Cn'#ection record' %ill be maintained t&at indicate t&e date of t&e in'#ection. and t&e
#er'on #erformin) t&e in'#ection. T&e in'#ection record' '&all identify any deviation'
or inade4uacie' and t&e corrective action' ta(en.
c. T&e AES 5#eration %ill conduct an annual audit to a''e'' t&e effectivene'' of t&e
Tree Trimmin)6e)etation 7ana)ement *ro)ram. T&e audit mu't be conducted by an
aut&ori/ed #er'on %&o i' (no%led)eable in t&e Tree Trimmin)6e)etation
7ana)ement *ro)ram.
@. Training3 T&e AES 5#eration '&all certify in %ritin) t&at em#loyee trainin) &a' been
accom#li'&ed and i' bein) (e#t u# to date. T&e certification '&all contain eac& em#loyeeK'
name and date' of trainin). Em#loyee' t&at are certified a' +ualified ,ine--learance
Arbori't' mu't be trained and (no%led)eable on:
a. Electrical A%arene''
b. *rotective e4ui#ment care and u'e.
c.Tree climbin) u'in) a fall #rotection 'y'tem.
d. 8all #rotection and re'cue from a tree.
e. =or(in) from an aerial lift and aerial lift re'cue and buc(et evacuation
f. $o#in) and ri))in) for fellin) tree'.
). 5#eration and maintenance of tool' 'uc& a' t&e c&ain 'a% and #runer.
&. *ro#er #runin) tec&ni4ue'
i. Da'ic tree biolo)y and #&y'iolo)y
$etrainin) '&all be #rovided by t&e em#loyer %&en t&e %or( ob'ervation #ro)ram reveal'
or %&enever t&e em#loyer &a' rea'on to believe. t&at t&ere are deviation' from or
inade4uacie' in an em#loyeeK' (no%led)e on tree trimmin)ve)etation mana)ement
#rocedure'.
$. Maintenance3
Aerial device boom'. liner'. #runer' mu't be electrically te'ted at lea't annually
Tree Trimmin)6e)etation 7ana)ement *a)e 11
AES Global Safety Standard Safety Standard Number: AES-STD-26.0
Tree Trimming/Vegetation Management Effective Date: 32!0"
A##roved by: Global Safety $evie% Date 32!0"
#eferences3
T&i' AES Safety Standard %a' develo#ed u'in) t&e follo%in) #ublication' a' t&e 'ource of t&e
re4uirement' contained &erein:
1. 5ccu#ational Safety and Eealt& Admini'tration ;5SEA< #rovi'ion' for line-clearance tree
trimmer' are found in 1I10.26I;r<;1< and include certain minimum a##roac& di'tance'.
*ara)ra#&' 1I10.26I;a<;2<. 1I10.26I;b<. 1I10.26I;c<. 1I10.26I;)<. 1I10.26I;(<. and
1I10.26I;#<. are )eneral re4uirement' addre''in) trainin). medical 'ervice' and fir't aid.
>ob briefin). #er'onal #rotective e4ui#ment. material &andlin). and mec&anical e4ui#ment.
2. 0133.1 - 2000 - American National Standard for Tree -are 5#eration' - *runin). Trimmin).
$e#airin) 7aintainin) and $emovin) Tree' and -uttin) Dru'& - Safety $e4uirement'.
3. American National Standard' Cn'titute - Standard AI2.2 - 6e&icle 7ounted Elevatin) and
$otatin) Aerial Device'
@. Cnternational Society of Arboriculture - Arbori't'K -ertification Study Guide and Tree
-limber' Guide.
2. M*runin) Tree' Near Electric 3tility ,ine': A 8ield *oc(et Guide 8or +ualified ,ine-
-learance Tree =or(er'M by Dr. AleA ,. S&i)o

Tree Trimmin)6e)etation 7ana)ement *a)e 12