Poor Role Model

[NYSawBoss]

Well as most of you know I started my new job yesterday. Today they "tried me out". They sent me up nice size pin oak to prune out deadwood, the majority of sucker growth and the typical crossing branches. 1" and larger were my parameters.

Since I have been climbing I have not used a ladder to enter the tree. Today was my first time for that. My previous employer wanted us tied into the tree before our feet left the ground. I was all for that..I wasn't too thrilled with having to body thrust up EVERY tree we worked on but OK..I'm learning. The two spanish guys that I am working with seem to have no safety ethic whatsoever. I was watching the lead climber on the crew. He runs up the ladder about 20 feet into the tree. Then he procedes to free climb another 15-20 feet to his TIP. This is the first time his rope touches a limb.

So I went up the ladder not tied in. I got to my first usable branch to stand on and put my lanyard about 2 feet above me. I then used my climbing line and lanyard to advance to my TIP. When I was finished pruning and decended their commentary was this (in hardly understandable English) good job muchacho but too slow!! I just agreed and went about coiling my rope.

Overall my two new coworkers were happy with my running of the rope, and my cleanup on the ground. They even said I can definately climb..I'm just too slow. Later I found out this had to do with the time it took me to SAFELY ascend to my TIP. Please guys...tell me I'm not a MARY for having issues with this. Isn't there a happy medium tied in and ladder from the ground.

P.S. Butch...you were right about the 16" bar on the MS200T man...MUCH better reach

 

[Ross Turner]

I agree with what you have said.When i climb i always have two ropes & a lanyard to get me to my TIP.If the tree has a large crown & there is alot of branch walking i will most of the time use two TIP,this is just incase one fails.

 

[ROLLACOSTA]

NY i would much rather have a climber a bit slower but safer work for me,iv'e been in the game 20 years i've seen all the macho men free climbers it doesn't impress me , you carry on climbing safely and productivly

 

[blue]

just do it the way you feel most comftable,at least your safe.free climbing is very hard to justify if at all.i've done it on occasions but i was comftable with it in thise situations, but would never tell anyone to do it.

 

[MasterBlaster]

I don't think yur gonna find a mentor with those guys. And I'm sure part of yur being slow is your newness to climbing, not just because you are using proper safety procedures.

Does the company owner approve of the lead climber's methods? If so, you should start looking for another gig.

 

[NYSawBoss]

No Butch, he doesn't. The foreman yells at Adan (crazy spanish climber) all the time to stop freeclimbing. He doesn't listen. I just dont want my production times to be compared to that. It wouldn't be fair in the least to me. I just got off the phone with another guy who wants me to be his solo climber. Dont know if should even contemplate that one. What do you think??

tony

 

[Nathan Wreyford]

Originally posted by NYSawBoss
The two spanish guys that I am working with

You work with guys from Spain??



Or are you refering to their language? If so, does that make me English?

 

[NYSawBoss]

Actually Nathan one is Ecaudorean and the othe El Salvadorean...I meant to say spanish speaking. As I say though 6 of 1 half dozen of the other.

tony

 

[MasterBlaster]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't you a complete novice to climbing? Why would this guy want a rookie climber for his solo climber? Could you live up to his expectations?

Your present boss seems like he might have his sheet together. Therefore, staying where you are for the time being will give you a chance to get that experience you need.

Don't let your head get too big, at least not quite yet.

 

[NeTree]

Sometimes getting it done right is more important than speed.

I ain't the fastest gun out there when it comes to climbing, by no means. Some of that is health, but for the most part, I'm just not in THAT much of a hurry any more. Yeah I know, it's different for me... I'm the big boss- who's going to complain?

 

[rumination]

I don't know how it is on the mainland, but my friends out here that run tree companies aren't worried about finding climbers who are fast. That's not hard. What is difficult is finding a climber who will turn up on time, sober, ready to work hard and safe, and with the desire to do the job right. The superfast production climber who is late and hungover half the time will end up losing the company more time and money than the slow and steady guy who does quality work.


And don't worry, Tony. Speed comes with experience. You can't get there overnight.

 

[DDM]

Oops Screwed that up.......

 

[DDM]

Originally posted by Mike Maas

To recap, tie in once when climbing, twice when cutting.

What He said....

 

[MasterBlaster]

Originally posted by rumination
And don't worry, Tony. Speed comes with experience. You can't get there overnight.

 

[DDM]

Originally posted by rumination



And don't worry, Tony. Speed comes with experience.

Or a Bucket Truck..........

 

[alanarbor]

Take the time to learn to do it safe, speed will follow. A good climber can climb safely as fast as any free climber, without being unsecured. The guys who were used to freeclimbing, and then had to relearn it the safe way got slowed down by the learning curve then, just as they did on their very first day. Only buck up against the curve once.

Remember this: the most dangerous thing you take up a tree with you is your ego. You'll grow and develop faster if you don't let it get in your way.

 

[biker]

Now that I've seen 40 (+ a few) I'm not as quick as I was 15 years ago. However I am just as fast, if not faster. Why? Because I'm way more effecient. I was weened on ladders and a 12' pole saw to advanve my rope and make my way up the tree. I still have a ladder on the truck but rarely does it come off. I just as rarely use a pole saw in a tree, if I do it's a 6 footer at most.
I set my rope with a big shot (tis a wonderful thing) and am always tied in as soon as my feet leave the ground. ALWAYS!!!
The coment by Mike, on being tied in once when climbing and twice when cutting are word's to live by. In fact I think they may be an ANSI standard.

Be safe, don't free climb.

T

 

[jkrueger]

Originally posted by Mike Maas
Tony, I been at it over twenty years. Anyone that's worked with me says I'm a good climber. I make a good living and enjoy what I do.
Here's a good rule of thumb, tie in once before you leave the ground, or step off the ladder (tie in before you even climb the ladder if it's placed precariously). Tie in twice if your running a saw.
To recap, tie in once when climbing, twice when cutting.
It's a very simple rule and will help asure a long carrier.
The idiots who are suggesting you free climb should be ignored. They are the Marys, because they don't value their life enough to sepnd a few moments being safe.
As you move forward in your carrier, prospective employers will look for safe work habits. Production may come in to play, but its way down on the list.
Think about it, a really fast worker that wrecks stuff and gets hurt all the time, is no good. No employer wants a major injury or death.

I do a lot of trees like pin oaks, etc,. easy free climbs. AND just like using turn signals when there is no one in sight, I do it any way 'habit' and maintain 'habit'. When I get a good free climber I always tie in get a TIP that is reasonable before goin up. I have to remind myself to stay tied in when free climbing is easy, and it is a good 'habit' that has payed off. Especially when in the tree in one place for a period of time many pieces of work from one position. I get so comfortable that I forget about where I am and oops, thanks I'm tied in.

Good stuff MM.

Jack

 

[John Stewart]

Hey Tony
Don't worry about what they think or compare to! Just climb safe and everything else will work out. If it gets real bad just move on don't change to suit them if it is on a safety issue.
Later
John

 

[Dadatwins]

You should always be tied in to the tree, free climbing is not the safe way to do the job. I would not worry about speed but more about safety and the quality of the work you do. Going fast and making improper cuts will help no one and damage the trees that the clients are paying for. Read, learn and practice different techniques. With time and practice you will be able to get into your tie in point faster with a rope and maybe a footlock or pantin in less time than it takes to haul the ladder into the yard. If you have the bosses support to do it safely stay where you are and learn all you can. Good luck and be careful.