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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Prepare site and inspect equipment
   • Confirm access to site and scope of works according to workplace procedures
   • Undertake a site-specific job safety analysis (JSA), record and implement control measures according to workplace safety procedures
   • Confirm availability of first aid and rescue personnel, equipment and procedures
   • Conduct pre-operational preparations and safety checks, on ropes, harnesses, tools and equipment
   • Select, check and use personal protective equipment
2. Prepare to access tree
   • Inspect tree to determine efficient safe access route and method through discussion with work team
   • Select and prepare climbing equipment according to manufacturer instructions, work health and safety regulations and industry standards
   • Configure climbing equipment components to form functional tree climbing system appropriate to the access method selected
   • Tie, dress, set and finish climbing knots and hitches according to climbing system requirements
   • Sharpen, prepare and fit climbing spurs and gaffs for dismantling work
   • Conduct pre-climb checks of configured systems to ensure compatibility, safety and function according to climbing system, industry standards and manufacturer instructions
3. Access and work position within tree
   • Select suitable anchor points according to load bearing and access requirements
   • Install low-risk anchor points using throw lines
   • Inspect and test remotely installed anchor points are secure before use
   • Ascend tree and access work positions within tree crown using climbing systems appropriate for work task and tree structure
   • Configure and use components within functional climbing systems for ascending trees and work positioning
   • Access work positions within tree crown by using climbing techniques for both pruning and dismantling work tasks
   • Communicate with work team during operations according to work site and environmental conditions using methods agreed with work team
   • Observe and maintain safe clearance from hazards and climbing and rigging equipment
   • Maintain awareness and clearances for avoiding electrical power lines according to workplace safety procedures
   • Descend tree using climbing equipment in a controlled manner
   • Remove all climbing equipment safely in a controlled manner according to manufacturer instructions
   • Inspect, clean, maintain and store climbing and safety equipment according to manufacturer instructions

Performance Evidence

An individual demonstrating competency must satisfy all of the elements and performance criteria in this unit.

There must be evidence the individual has safely and efficiently climbed a tree of at least 18 metres in height and at least 10 metres in canopy spread using rope climbing equipment, without the aid of climbing spurs. The individual must have:

reached at least five different designated outer extremities of the tree structure

selected and performed a suitable, safe and efficient access method consistent with the tree structure and the designated working positions

selected and used suitable, safe and efficient work positioning methods to reach each target, including the use of multiple lines, redirects and advanced climbing methods

descended the tree safely and retrieved all climbing equipment.

The timeframe allowed to reach the designated targets must meet industry expectations for the size and shape of the tree being climbed.

There must be evidence the individual has safely and efficiently climbed to a height of 15 metres above the ground using climbing spurs in a tree to be removed. The tree must have at least five metres of clear trunk below the lowest branch. The individual must:

ascend and descend a trunk by spur climbing the trunk without setting a line at the top

transition around obstacles safely

perform a self-arrest

use branch walking techniques to access designated working positions

descend the tree safely and retrieve all climbing equipment.

The timeframe allowed to reach the designated targets must meet industry expectations for the size and shape of the tree climbed.

There must also be evidence that the individual has:

installed a throw line in a tree in a predetermined union representing a target of no larger than 600 mm in diameter and at least 20 metres above the throwing position within a timeframe of 15 minutes

selected, checked and configured climbing equipment components to form safe and functional climbing systems appropriate for climbing tasks

identified unsafe equipment, climbing system configuration and climbing techniques.

There must also be evidence that the individual has prepared to conduct climbing work, including:

undertaken a job safety analysis (JSA) for the specific site and work activities and implemented control measures including:

confirmed availability of first aid and rescue personnel, equipment and procedures

conducted pre-operational and other safety checks, on ropes, harnesses, tools and equipment

selected and used personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety equipment

performed a pre-climb inspection and identified climbing hazards and controlled risks, including:

correctly identified tree species

assessed tree for stability and tree defects

adjusted climbing plan and implemented control measures

selected, prepared and fitted climbing equipment.

There must also be evidence that the individual has:

selected an access system and method that is safe, efficient and suitable for the tree structure and work task

installed climbing and access ropes to suitable tree anchor points within the tree structure, and used throwlines to install:

anchor points near the top of the tree

a stationary rope technique (SRT) canopy anchor

a SRT basal anchor

a moving rope technique (MRT) anchor point including the installation of a cambium saver

safely ascended and descended tree, transitioned between points of attachment and used work positioning methods, including:

used MRT and trunk-walking, foot ascenders or footlocking

used SRT

installed a second point of attachment when in a working position

used multiple lines for climbing and tree operations for both MRT and SRT

used natural and artificial redirects

used climbing spurs for work positioning

safely retrieving climbing equipment according to industry standards and manufacturer instructions

tied, dressed, set and finished the following 19 climbing knots and hitches for rigging and climbing applications according to industry standards:

scaffold knot

double fisherman's bend/prusik loop

girth hitch

prusik hitch (English prusik)

Blake's hitch

marlinspike hitch

clove hitch

double-overhand stopper knot

sheet bend

slippery sheet bend

bowline knot (with a tie-off or stopper knot)

running bowline knot

bowline on a bight

alpine butterfly

klemheist

figure-8 loop

munter hitch

Flemish bend

Zeppelin bend

tied at least one of the following advanced climbing hitches:

Distel hitch

Valdôtain tresse (French prusik)

Schwabisch hitch

Knut

communicated with work team during operations using agreed communication procedures.

All arborist tree climbing work is required to be performed according to preferred industry practices (as outlined in the Companion Volume).

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Knowledge Evidence

An individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge required to perform the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit. This includes knowledge of:

preferred industry practices (as outlined in the Companion Volume) for arborist tree climbing work

assessing and selecting methods for climbing trees and methods of tree access, including:

selecting a climb plan or work strategy to achieve a scope of works

selecting climbing systems that are safe, simple, efficient and ergonomic

identifying tree hazards and selecting low-risk work methods

assessing work health, safety, site, environmental and traffic control measures, including:

completing JSAs for site-specific risks

purpose of first aid and rescue personnel, equipment and procedures

pre-operational and safety checks, on ropes, harnesses, tools and equipment

PPE used when climbing

arborist climbing equipment, use and maintenance, including:

ropes and their materials, construction and characteristics

uses of climbing ropes and lanyards

types of climbing ropes

harnesses

triple locking carabiners and other connectors

climbing hardware, including ascenders, descenders, mechanical friction devices, false crotches and artificial redirects

climbing spurs and gaffs, their preparation and use for climbing trees

maintaining separation between spurs, rigging equipment and ropes

purpose, function, selection, tying, dressing, setting and finishing of arborist knots used for climbing techniques

safety when climbing trees, including:

safe working limits, ropes and equipment

defects in ropes, tools and equipment

controlled descent operations

controlled removal of access equipment

forces applied to anchor points during access and work positioning using MRT and SRT

forces applied at primary anchor points and at redirects

hazards to avoid when climbing within the tree canopy, including:

power line safe approach distances and vegetation clearances

tree structural defects

animals or insects

hangers or suspended loads

deciding on low-risk access routes

limits, advantages and disadvantages of friction hitches, including:

Blake’s hitch

Prusik hitch (English prusik)

klemheist

specialised variations, including Distel hitch, Valdôtain tresse (French prusik), Schwabisch hitch, Knut

selecting appropriate knots suited for rigging or climbing applications and equipment, including:

loss of rope strength

appropriate knot for application

requirements for secondary knots and stopper knots

arborist knots, including:

knot type and tying procedure

dressing

setting

finishing

communications strategies used in arboriculture, including:

voice

hand

whistle signals

electronic communications

assessing tree access routes, techniques and equipment and evaluating risk, including:

moving rope technique (MRT) and stationary rope technique (SRT)

use of climbing spikes of various lengths

transitions between points of attachment

natural and artificial redirects

use of multiple lines to access trees and tree parts

low-risk anchor points

inspecting, cleaning, maintaining and storing climbing equipment.

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