I had to split it up!
16) Keep all tools/gear in its proper place. If you take a tool, its YOUR responsibility to NOT LOSE IT. Put it back when your done. Everyone on the crew should be familiar with where the gear is. Before leaving the jobsite take the time to count your saws/other gear, and make sure its on the truck. Keep the doors to the trucks closed, and the windows rolled up when necessary due to chipping dust, or weather.
17) A GOOD GROUNDMAN ALWAYS MAINTAINS A VALID DRIVERS LICENCE!!! And reliable personal transportation. You should be able to tow a chipper/trailer safely, and know how to back it up properly using your mirrors. Don't hot-rod the vehicles, treat them like they were yours. Before getting in the truck to move it, take a walk around the truck to ensure everything is clear. When towing anything, inspect the hookup. If working on a public road, set the traffic cones out immediately. If someone is needed to flag traffic, assign someone to do it. Be on guard for all traffic, do not get hit by a careless driver.
18) All saws should be fueled/oiled/filters at least banged out at all times. That is probably the FIRST THING that should be done upon arriving at the jobsite, or even earlier. Never send a saw up to a climber without it being serviced, and warmed up first. NO loose chains! Learn how to file a saw. Be able to replace a chain in a timely fashion. Don't take 10 minutes to do it, and DON'T put it on backwards.
19) Before you get in your truck in the morning, check the fluid levels and service it when needed. Walk around the truck and look for something wrong. Insure all ladders, polesaws, etc are tied down and secured. Double check all hitches/electrical hook-ups. Make sure the vehicle is fueled up. This goes for the saw gas and bar oil. Don't get on the job and have only 2 ounces of mixed gas... be ready to rock and roll! Keep a siphon hose stashed somewhere to get gas out of the chipper in an emergency. Have a spare set of old jeans behind the seat for when someone fails to cap the saw correctly, and some poor soul gets a gas/oil crotch soaking. Keep a couple cans of wasp spray in the truck. Insure there is an up-to-date first aid kit in a place where everyone knows it's location. Don't sleep on the ride, pay attention to where you are going. You may be required to know it later. Keep a current map(s) in the truck and know how to read it.
20) Pay attention to incoming inclement weather. When you see those storm clouds approaching, start rounding up/stashing the gear BEFORE the bottom falls out. Roll up the truck windows if they aren't already up. React/respond to changes that happen around you. The Tiger Eye again.
21) Clear the drag path before you start dragging. Move anything that may get knocked over, damaged etc. DON'T leave chainsaws or any other gear anywhere close to the LZ or the drag path. Don't try to drag a large limb through a narrow gateway, cut it smaller.
22) The groundie should also know what the word "TIMBERRRR!" means and stays in the clear and out of the bite. They should ensure that no one else enters the drop zone, and should have a saw ready to start bucking the tree.
23) A good groundman DOESN'T STINK! They have good personal hygiene habits, and a fresh shirt available, when needed.
24) Keep the saw outta the dirt! Learn proper chainsaw operation/limbing procedures. Use wedges and cant hooks when needed. Limb the tree from the trunk, forward. In THIS case make flush cuts, especially when saving mill logs. NO SNAGS. When limbing a thrown tree that is propped up, keep it propped up until the brush under the log is dragged out. Identify the two main limbs that are keeping it propped up, and leave them alone until you are ready put the log on the ground. Before doing that, placing a few chunks of wood under the log will aid in cutting it. Do not let anyone be close when you make the cut that will shift the log. Don't pinch the saw... learn to recognize the differences between compression and tension situations, and react accordingly.
25) Report any damaged/malfunctioning gear to your supervisor when you discover it - don't just ignore it. Treat the equipment as if it were your own.
26) Other than climbing, don't be one of those "Its not my job" guys. Assess the situation and determine what needs to be done. Do whatever you can to expedite job completion in a timely and work efficient manner. Know how to operate a power pruner, and a pole saw. Use the latter to remove hangers and steer roped limbs. Use extra caution when making cuts with these tools, it is easy to make a bad cut.
27)More experienced groundmen should keep an eye on the newbies, and help in the training. And newbies need to listen to the more experienced members. Don't be offended or take it personel if the training delivery technique is not the best... some people are better teachers than others. Just make a mental note of how YOU will do it better when its YOUR time to train someone. A mutual respect needs to be developed between you and the crew you work with. Strive to be a well-oiled team working together in concert. The more you learn the quicker your chances of advancement increase, and the safer you will be.
28) You should eventually be able to handle all aspects of ground rope operation. Everything from securing the porty up to speedline operation. If you hank your ropes, learn the proper way to do it. Do not just throw the rope on the ground, tie it to the climber's line, and walk off. Take the time to un-hank the rope and tie THAT END to the climbing line. Do not stand there and hold the rope... let go. Step back and insure that the line goes up the tree unhindered. When the climber has untied the rope, ask if you should pull the belly out. If so, do it smooth and carefull. Watch for snags that are trying to foul the rope. Keep all ropes as close to the base of tree as possible. Don't streech them out, and don't make the climber have to pull up a rope that is streeched out.
29) When sending a saw up to a climber;
Set the saw on the ground, and grab a generous bight of rope. Pass it through the BACK HANDLE... the ONE WITH THE TRIGGER. Do not tie it to the wraparound handle. When sending up a bullrope and chainsaw at the same time, ONLY THE BULLROPE should ever be tied to the wrap handle. The saw should hang as near to vertical as possible. NEVER tie to the chain brake.
Pay attention to the rope(s) as the climber pulls them up.
30) You should not have to ask for an advance in pay unless it's an emergency. Learn to control your money, don't make your employer have to help you out every week. One way to do this is to have your lunch/cold drinks/ciggs yourself. Convenience stores are a money pit.
31) In case of emergency, you should know that the first thing to do is make a bee- line for the first aid kit, render some kind of first aid to the climber to avoid shock or at least minimize it, call 911 if needed or send some one for help. Know the address where you're working to tell EMT personnel.
32) When raking, start at the outermost perimeter and work in an ever-diminishing circle TOWARDS THE CHIPPER. DO NOT MAKE LITTLE 'PILES'. Employ advanced raking techniques. Choose the most logical, direct path as your drag path, and don't deviate from it if possible. Keep the area you have to clean-up as small as possible. Don't bust a rake handle by trying to move too large a pile. Use your feet to kick it forward, or pitchfork it into a wheelbarrow or a tarp. Don't leave rakes flat on the ground to get stepped on, prop them up against something. Do not rake an area that is under a roof that still needs to be cleaned. Get up there and blow the roof/gutters off. Be carefull... don't fall off the roof. If you use wheelbarrows, know when to use them, and know when to just pack the logs. Plan it so you don't have to clean the same place twice. Don't chip rakings that may have rocks in it. Respect the chipper and its blades. Believe it or not, its your best friend in this biz, or it could eat you alive.
33) You should know how to work safely with a chipper and eventually you will learn how to operate a stump grinder.An experienced groundie should work shoulder to shoulder with a newbie, insuring all the proper training in all aspects of safe, efficient chipper operations. You should learn to do minor maintenance on it as needed, as well as emergency procedures such as unclogging the chute... or better not, never clogging it in the first place. When chipping stringy or wet stuff pay attention to the chippers progress while doing it. Listen for the engine bogging down or the lack of chips being expelled. When a break in the chipping occurs, idle it down, or shut it off altogether. DON'T let it run all day. Make sure the chute is aimed to chip into the dump bed. Aim it to fill one side first, then the other, then the middle. Make sure the chute is positioned so flying chips aren't sent into traffic. Do not let diesel engines run completely out of gas.
34) You should have at least a basic understanding of tree anatomy, physiology, and identification. This can be accomplished through lots of reading, and OTJ observation. Ask questions. Pay attention. Know the plant that helps you to make your money.
For companies that also do landscaping, you should also be able to do the basic things. Proper pruning, planting, and fertilizing along with the correct use of the tools should be learned ASAP if not known already.
35) If you notice everyone around you is working and you are not, you are doing something wrong. Look around and ask yourself "What can I do to help complete this job?" If you really need instruction about that, ask your foreman.
