What would OSHA say?

[MasterBlaster]

Does anyone know the 'official' stand on riding the ball when doing work with a crane?

 

[NickfromWI]

I don't know how current this is....

6.7.6.9 The crane operator shall remain at the controls when the arborist is attached to the crane.

6.7.6.10 The crane and boom and load line shall be moved in a slow, controlled, cautious manner with no sudden movements when the arborist is attached. The lifting or lowering speed shall not exceed 100 ft./min. The crane shall be operated so that the lowering is power-controlled.

6.7.6.11 The crane carrier shall not travel at any time while the arborist is attached.

6.7.7 The arborist shall be detached from the crane any time it is under load tension. EXCEPTION: The person specifically responsible for the work shall allow the arborist to remain attached to the crane only while it is under load when it is determined that all reasonably possible alternative methods are inaccessible and attachment to the subject tree would create a greater safety risk due to its hazardous condition. Possible alternative methods include, but are not limited to:
1- securing to the tree and detaching from the crane before it comes under load
2- use of a second crane
3- use of an aerial lift device
4-use of an adjacent tree
5-use of pixie dust to allow the arborist to hover in air while thinking happy thoughts


I got a bit sidetracked right at the very, very end. I think there is more, but I didn't want to spend all the time looking. I need to go get me some icecream!!!!

love
nick

 

[MasterBlaster]

Thanks, Nick! Just what I wanted. Had an operator today that thought it wasn't allowed. I've allways done it but never knew the official ruling.

 

[NickfromWI]

Well, remember....

It still might not be allowed. The suggestions I quoted are from ANSI. And they are merely that, suggestion. These are not laws nor are they rules. Some have put it this way: If something goes wrong, they will look at this and see what you did that was not in accordance with ANSI, and say you are responsible because you should've done what ANSI says. However, if your guys are out working on a job not wearing proper PPE, no one's going to come right out a ticket.

So maybe you have to check with your own local or state laws to see if it's "allowed." Good luck and climb safe.

love
nick

 

[MasterBlaster]

I hear 'ya - watch out with that ice cream!!!

 

[Mattman]

In CA it is illegal unless there is a bucket attached to the end of the boom. It has to be bolted on. I think being on the end of the ball is just as safe, as you are still dependant on the operator.

Matt

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

They need to check with their insurance too. There are a few companies here that cannot rent out for tree removals.

I was at a workshop where TCOT showed a neat way of using a clevis and frictionsaver to tie in above the ball. and not haveyour rope contact the cable.

 

[NickfromWI]

Originally posted by John Paul Sanborn
I was at a workshop where TCOT showed a neat way of using a clevis and frictionsaver to tie in above the ball. and not haveyour rope contact the cable.

Pardon the pun, but don't leave me hangin'!!!!! Tell us how!

love
nick

 

[MasterBlaster]

I was at a workshop where TCOT showed a neat way of using a clevis and frictionsaver to tie in above the ball. and not haveyour rope contact the cable. [/B][/QUOTE]

Whats wrong with the hook?

I have put the shackle on the cable and tied into it, but that was 'cause the lock-snap on the hook was broken.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Nick, you went to the same workshop!

Brian, give Nick another year of work and he'll be blowing your doors off. He's got around 4 companies where he lives bummed because he's moving out east in a few weeks.

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

Originally posted by MasterBlaster
Whats wrong with the hook?

I have put the shackle on the cable and tied into it, but that was 'cause the lock-snap on the hook was broken.

The hook is basicly a non locking snap. Your rope can easily come off the hook. This would cause you to fall and possibly get blood all over the crane. The operator has better things to do than clean up your blood at the end of the day.

Shackles are a problem because as the rope slides over the pin it can unscrew it, and again, you fall (see above).

Another problem is that the weight of the big steel ball can bump up against a hard object and crush your rope causing it to break, the same way you break a rope between two rocks.

If your solution solves all these problems, you should be ok.

 

[MasterBlaster]

Originally posted by Mike Maas

Shackles are a problem because as the rope slides over the pin it can unscrew it

I allways secure the pin with a cable tie in the pin.

If the operator is bouncing the ball against something hard, then he is bouncing ME against something hard.

I have never felt I would come off the hook once I'm tied-in. My weight never comes off the ball until I lanyard off in the tree.

Still, of course, ANYTHING could happen.)

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

If i remeber right, a carabiner is used to lock the clevis and the frictionsaver goes thtough the carabiner, or maybe the rope does.

Tod, have you seen thise method that Norm Hall uses? He and Don Ropollo wer the ones that gave the demo.

 

[Greg]

I'm taking down 4 large slash pines next week with a crane --just got a dig camera so I'll try to doccument it.
Use a webbing loop girthed around the cable above the ball with a micro pully attached to serve as a false crotch. Works great, especially if you have 2 climbers one can be placed in the tree to make a cut (long horizontal limbs), the second guy rides the ball up, puts the sling on the limb, and rapells down on his climbing line and then pulls his line free from the ground.
On these pines it will be very easy, ride the ball up, attached the sling, rapell down, pull my line loose attach myself to the tree and cut the top off. These are about 70' pines that we will take in 3 peices.
Greg