jomoco
Tree Freak
I'm going to carefully jump back into this thread because I got somewhat bent out of shape on this very issue of the safest tie in point on the ball and hook, and rather than argue with you guys I went straight to the ansi committee members themselves, going so far as to send each of them the following letter in march of 07.
My fellow tree industry associates,
The ambiguity of the current ANSI Z133 standards for crane use in the tree industry are in my opinion unnecessarily confusing and frustrating to a large degree.
Current OSHA standards for cranes that lift personnel in man baskets located in the rigging section of 5004 clearly state that all crane hooks shall have a positive locking device on the hook gate to prevent accidents.
This is a clearly stated easy to understand Osha regulation that warrants emulation in the ANSI Z133 section for safe crane use in the tree industry.
The current Z standards fuzzy language about tying in above the ball with a shackle for the climbing line and a lanyard in the hook is in effect impractical, frustrating and to some degree hazardous.
Crane hook and block assemblies incorporate a swivel mechanism for a very good reason, to keep their loads from spinning when the twisted wire rope cable comes under any degree of load as they always do. The swivel mechanisn prevents this spinning action from transferring to the hook and load being lifted to a large degree.
If a climber is tied in above the ball and snugs up the rigging he sets on the pick, the ball and cable will spin, this results in his climbing line tangling at that point, he loses time and experiences frustration untangling his primary support line.
By adopting the current OSHA standard for man basket attachment that requires a positive locking hook gate, and applying it to the ANSI Z standard with the simple proviso that a locking shackle or closed solid loop ( both of which are currently available on the market ) be used on the locked hook to separate his primary support line from any possible damage by the rigging hardware on the hook.
Adopting this method and putting it in clear ( shall ) language in the Z standards will enhance safety, facilitate easy understanding and lessen frustration for the professionals in our industry that go out of their way to play by the rules.
It is further my opinion that any crane being used in tree operations, whether hoisting personnel or not shall have a locking hook gate to prevent rigging hardware from inadvertently coming off the hook and injuring personnel below, be it climber or groundmen.
Your thoughts and feedback on adopting these safety measures would be greatly appreciated.
Respectfully,
Jomoco
33 year tree industry veteran
[end letter]
In subsequent talks with a few of these ansi folks since that letter from me was entered into the minutes of their last meeting on this subject, they have cautioned me to be patient and understanding that each member is completely petrified from the thought of them changing the standard and a fatal accident occurring, something which to date has not happened.
They have taken my recommendations under consideration and wish to move for improvement in this standard, but only after a firm consensus on the matter can be reached.
So until that time, hundreds of frustrated climbers working to ansi standards can only watch helplessly as the crane spools up to snug the choker on the pick, and the climbers tie in point above the ball spins like a weed whacker tangling his body line, and causing an unnecessary dang nuisance,....not!
jomoco
My fellow tree industry associates,
The ambiguity of the current ANSI Z133 standards for crane use in the tree industry are in my opinion unnecessarily confusing and frustrating to a large degree.
Current OSHA standards for cranes that lift personnel in man baskets located in the rigging section of 5004 clearly state that all crane hooks shall have a positive locking device on the hook gate to prevent accidents.
This is a clearly stated easy to understand Osha regulation that warrants emulation in the ANSI Z133 section for safe crane use in the tree industry.
The current Z standards fuzzy language about tying in above the ball with a shackle for the climbing line and a lanyard in the hook is in effect impractical, frustrating and to some degree hazardous.
Crane hook and block assemblies incorporate a swivel mechanism for a very good reason, to keep their loads from spinning when the twisted wire rope cable comes under any degree of load as they always do. The swivel mechanisn prevents this spinning action from transferring to the hook and load being lifted to a large degree.
If a climber is tied in above the ball and snugs up the rigging he sets on the pick, the ball and cable will spin, this results in his climbing line tangling at that point, he loses time and experiences frustration untangling his primary support line.
By adopting the current OSHA standard for man basket attachment that requires a positive locking hook gate, and applying it to the ANSI Z standard with the simple proviso that a locking shackle or closed solid loop ( both of which are currently available on the market ) be used on the locked hook to separate his primary support line from any possible damage by the rigging hardware on the hook.
Adopting this method and putting it in clear ( shall ) language in the Z standards will enhance safety, facilitate easy understanding and lessen frustration for the professionals in our industry that go out of their way to play by the rules.
It is further my opinion that any crane being used in tree operations, whether hoisting personnel or not shall have a locking hook gate to prevent rigging hardware from inadvertently coming off the hook and injuring personnel below, be it climber or groundmen.
Your thoughts and feedback on adopting these safety measures would be greatly appreciated.
Respectfully,
Jomoco
33 year tree industry veteran
[end letter]
In subsequent talks with a few of these ansi folks since that letter from me was entered into the minutes of their last meeting on this subject, they have cautioned me to be patient and understanding that each member is completely petrified from the thought of them changing the standard and a fatal accident occurring, something which to date has not happened.
They have taken my recommendations under consideration and wish to move for improvement in this standard, but only after a firm consensus on the matter can be reached.
So until that time, hundreds of frustrated climbers working to ansi standards can only watch helplessly as the crane spools up to snug the choker on the pick, and the climbers tie in point above the ball spins like a weed whacker tangling his body line, and causing an unnecessary dang nuisance,....not!
jomoco
