Install and maintain structural supports for trees

This standard covers installing and maintaining structural supports for trees. These are supports to aid the stability of trees. Bracing or supporting a tree means installing, in the appropriate circumstances, a flexible or rigid system into the tree to support its trunk and or branches thereby reducing the risk of failure.

Access to tree crowns can be either by Mobile Elevated Work Platform (MEWP) or rope and harness techniques.

You could be working to a given specification that defines the methods to be used but you will be expected to determine how to carry out these methods on site.

You will need to take account of any restrictions affecting the work e.g. designated sites, the presence of listed structures, wildlife, non-native invasive or protected species etc.

You are required to avoid or minimise damage or disturbance to the surrounding area including trees, other vegetation, wildlife and habitats, or to any structures, fences, paths, signs, ditches/waterways or drains, and to ensure that other site users are not put at risk by your work.

When working with equipment and machinery you must be appropriately trained, competent to carry out the activity being undertaken, and hold current certification where required, in line with the relevant legislation.

Your work must conform to all relevant legislation and codes of practice, industry standards and guidance.

This standard is only suitable for those who are already competent in accessing trees by climbing or using a MEWP.

Falls from trees or being hit by falling trees, sections of trees or branches can kill or seriously injure workers on site or those passing by.

Confirm that:
• safe practices are adopted for accessing and working in trees
• the layout and organisation of the work area protects all parties from the risk of falling objects
• risk zones are established and people are prohibited from entering the zone
• risk zones are, where reasonably practicable, clearly marked, signed and guarded
• communication methods between all workers on site are robust and effective

Additional resources may be required on site, such as banksmen, to help manage any risk associated with anyone possibly entering the work site.

1. obtain the relevant information to carry out the work activities, in accordance with organisational procedures
2. check any statutory requirements that might be in place that may prohibit or place conditions on the work to be carried out, and confirm that all required permissions and licences have been obtained
3. maintain the health and safety of yourself and others at all times, in accordance with the relevant legislation and codes of practice
4. assess the risks associated with the site and the work to be carried out before starting work and throughout the activity, checking and confirming the findings of any existing risk assessments
5. confirm that sufficient control measures are implemented, risk zones have been set up and marked, and emergency planning and procedures relevant to the site have been established and recorded
6. select an appropriate access method and rescue plan for safe working at height
7. select the safest working methods, making use of mechanical methods where this is safer, in accordance with the assessed risks and organisational procedures, and plan work accordingly
8. confirm that relevant training, experience and certification is in place to undertake the work to be carried out and recognise your own competence limitations
9. use appropriate methods to maintain effective communication with other workers and anyone else involved in, or affected by the work, in accordance with industry guidance and organisational procedures
10. confirm that appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for the work to be carried out is worn at all times
11. select, prepare, use, maintain and store the tools and equipment required safely, in accordance with the relevant legal requirements and manufacturer’s instructions
12. confirm all equipment has been checked, tested where required, and is fit for purpose in accordance with the relevant legal requirements and manufacturer's instructions
13. maintain the safety and security of tools and equipment on site
14. select the most suitable structural support system for the situation and the well-being of the tree
15. obtain the materials required for the work in accordance with organisational procedures
16. calculate the expected load and select compatible components with regard to their design/safety factors
17. determine the appropriate position of the installation according to the situation
18. install the selected structural support system into the tree, following current British Safety Standard guidelines and minimising damage to the tree and the environment
19. plan and implement an inspection regime for maintaining structural supports for trees
20. carry out the required work in accordance with the information provided and organisational procedures
21. minimise damage or disturbance to the site and surrounding area while carrying out the work, and confirm that the site is left in a safe and tidy condition
22. implement best practice approaches to sustainability that are appropriate for the work being carried out
23. deal effectively with issues that arise within the scope and limitations of your responsibilities and report issues which cannot be resolved, in accordance with organisational procedures
24. complete and store all relevant documentation in accordance with the relevant legal requirements and organisational procedures

1. how to identify and access information relevant to the required work
2. how to identify hazards and assess the risks associated with the site and the work to be carried out, and the importance of site-specific risk assessment and control measures that are appropriate for your area of work
3. the relevant health and safety procedures and Safe Systems of Work (SSoW)
4. the emergency planning and procedures relevant to the site and the importance of following these
5. the importance of risk zone management the correct use of warning signs and barriers to inform and protect others while the work is carried out, and the procedures for temporary traffic management, where required
6. the current legislation and codes of practice, industry standards and guidance, organisational policies, procedures and protocols, business and professional ethics, relevant to your area of work and to which you must adhere
7. the legal, industry and organisational requirements for training, experience and certification to undertake the work activities required and the importance of acknowledging your limitations and not undertaking work that is beyond your level of competence
8. why it is important to maintain effective communication with colleagues and ground staff during aerial treework and the methods of communication that should be used
9. how to obtain the materials required for the work and how to ensure materials are available where and when required
10. the tools, equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) required for the work and how to safely prepare, use, carry out operator maintenance, and store these, in accordance with the relevant legal requirements, manufacturer’s instructions, and organisational procedures
11. the legal requirements for checking and testing equipment and the evidence required to show that this has been done
12. the importance of using a personal fall protection system when climbing and working in trees
13. technology used in your area of work and how to use it
14. how to identify when trees require structural support
15. the different types of structural support systems and their application
16. how to identify tree species and their characteristics in relation to the selection and installation of the structural support system
17. the basic principles of tree biology and how they affect your work
18. the importance of checking for signs of disease, defects and decay in the tree being worked on and where to obtain advice when required
19. how to identify the correct position for the installation of a structural support system and why this is important
20. how to calculate the load and match the materials used to the expected loads to be placed on them
21. how to apply any pruning requirements to supplement the structural support system
22. how to install each structural system safely and correctly
23. the maintenance requirements and maintenance period of each type of structural support system
24. the implications and liabilities of installing a support system into a dynamic structure
25. the implications of the relevant legislation, codes of practice and current British Safety Standards for your work
26. the potential impact of the work on the site and surrounding area and how this can be minimised
27. your and the organisation’s responsibility for protecting the environment and working sustainably
28. the importance of checking that completed work meets the requirements in accordance with the information provided
29. the issues that can occur when carrying out aerial treework, the actions to take, and the organisational procedures for reporting issues that cannot be resolved
30. the scope and limitations of your competence, responsibilities and accountability
31. the legal and organisational requirements for the completion and storage of documentation

How to install the following types of structural support systems:
• rod brace
• invasive flexible brace
• non-invasive flexible brace
• propping

Banksman/signaller – a trained and competent person who controls the movements of machinery, procedures and people on a site, to ensure work activities are carried out safely.

A hierarchy of controls must be established between the banksman/signaller and other operators to ensure that pre-agreed signals are clearly transmitted and understood.

Information required to carry out work activities could include:
• drawings
• plans
• schedules
• specifications
• method statements
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• manufacturer’s instructions
• customer requirements
• quality assurance requirements
• industry standards (e.g. British Standards)
• verbal or written instructions
• industry guidance (e.g. FISA)

Organisational procedures refer to procedures set by the organisation you are employed by or the organisation that you are doing the work on behalf of (the client or customer)

Personal Fall Protection System – a collection of components which, when used correctly, combine to prevent a fall. Personal fall protection systems comprise a primary system and back-up that is attached to an independent anchor wherever possible. The back-up can only be omitted when:
• It is not practical to maintain it for the specific, “stationary” and short-duration task of rope advance/changeover, reinstating the backup as soon as possible
• Carrying out the rescue of a casualty where speed is crucial

Risk zone – also referred to as Danger zone and Exclusion zone. The Risk zone should be established before commencement of any tree work.

Safe System of Work (SSoW) – is a method of work that puts in place control measures arising from a risk assessment, in order to manage identified hazards, which are broken down into four elements: safe person; safe equipment; safe place; and safe practice.