Legislation & Standards

• Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. (PUWER) (see publications below)
• BS4423: 1969 - Specification for climbers helmets.
• BS3998: 1989 - Recommendations for Tree Work
• BS7648:1993  - Specification for double braided ropes made from man-made fibres.

General Publications

• A Guide to Good Climbing Practice 2005.
• Tree Work Operations. A guide to safe work practice. Available from the European Arboricultural Council (EAC).
• Inspecting Fall Arrest Equipment made from webbing or rope  2003 HSE Info sheet
• Height safe - Absolutely essential health and safety information for people who work at height HSE leaflet

LOLER & PUWER publications (all free to download)  

• Simple guide to the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 INDG 290 HSE Leaflet.
• Simple guide to the Provision and use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. INDG 291 HSE Leaflet.
• PUWER 98: How the regulations apply to Agriculture and Forestry.  HSE Leaflet (AIS 27).  
• LOLER: How the regulations apply to Arboriculture. (AIS 30). HSE Leaflet. 
• LOLER: How the regulations apply to Forestry. (AIS 29) HSE Leaflet.

HSE Research Reports (all free to download) 

• “Determination of rope access and work positioning techniques in arboriculture”  Pdf research report.  New
• An Investigation of Tree Climbing Harnesses and Climbing Techniques.   1990 HSE Research Report
• Energy absorbers for tree surgeons: An investigation of fall distances for tree climbers equipped with sit harness.  1996 HSE Research Report 
• Industrial rope access - Investigation into items of personal protective equipment.  2001 HSE Research Report
• Safe working methods with top-handled chainsaws.   2001 HSE  Research Report.
• Assessment of factors that influence the tensile strength of safety harness and lanyard webbings. 2002 HSE  Research Report.
• Assessment of factors that influence the tensile strength of safety harness and lanyard webbings. Supplimentary Information. 2002 HSE  Research Report.
• Survivable Impact Forces on Human Body Constrained by Full Body Harness 2003 HSE Research Report 
• Karabina Safety in the Arboriculture Industry (pdf report for download)  

AFAG Publications. Available to View On-Line and download free direct from the AFAG website.

• 401 Tree-climbing operations
• 402 Aerial tree rescue
• 403 Mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) for tree work

Tools & Equipment Articles

• Cambium Saver.
• Swedish Fid.

Training Videos

• Arbormaster Training Video Series 1. Order direct from ISA.
• Introduction to Climbing Techniques and Equipment. Order direct from ISA.
• Introduction to Secured Footlock. Order direct from ISA.
• Introduction to Ropes. Order direct from ISA.
• Introduction to Belay. Order direct from ISA.
• Introduction to Throwline. Order direct from ISA.
• Climbing Knots and Hitches. Order direct from ISA.  See also Knots
• Arbormaster Training Video Series 2. Order direct from ISA.
• Arbormaster Training Video Series 3. Order direct from ISA.
• Basic Training Series (5 videos). Order direct from ISA.

Journal Extracts (see AIE Abbreviations for abbreviations and links)

• Climbing techniques - American and British.    AJ - Vol:20 -   No:4 -  Nov 1996
• Practical Rigging. AN - Vol 9 - No:2 April 2000
• Practical Rigging. Part 2: Equipment. AN - Vol 9 - No:3 June 2000
• Practical Rigging. Part 3: Basic limb removal. AN - Vol 9 - No:4 Aug 2000
• Practical Rigging. Part 4: Advanced limb removal. AN - Vol 9 - No:5 Oct 2000

Publication Extracts (books, handbooks & bulletins)

• Her name is LOLER! Short article by Graham Watson describing the implications of LOLER. Essential Arb, Issue 2, Spring 2001.
• Safety of harness and sit-belts in tree surgery work by H. Crawford. Chapter 24.  Research for Practical Arboriculture.  Bulletin 97. Forestry Commission. ISBN 0-11-710297-0.

National Proficiency Tests Council (NPTC) -   Scottish Skills Testing Service (SSTS)

The following assessment schedules can be downloaded free of charge from the NPTC website.

• CS37 - Breakdown Medium Sized Broadleaf Crowns
• CS38 - Climb Trees and Perform Aerial Tree Rescue
• CS39 - Use of a Chain Saw from a Rope and Harness
• CS40 - Carry out Pruning Operations
• CS41 - Undertake Sectional Felling Operations

Events & Courses

• Tree Climbing and Rigging Workshop (Westonbirt Arboretum). Contact the Arboricultural Association.
• LOLER and You (NAC, Stonleigh, Warwickshire). Contact the Arboricultural Association.
• Aerial Rescue Workshop. Contact the Arboricultural Association.

AIE Links

• Main Subject Index, Health & Safety, Chainsaws, Power Lines, MEWP, Knots, Rope Splicing

© 2001 Chris Skellern. AIE.    Home  | News | A-Z Index  | Resources  |  Contact AIE  |  Terms of Use