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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 climbing equipment
   • Select, check and use personal protective equipment
2. Prepare to access tree
   • Inspect tree to determine efficient low-risk access route and climbing method through discussion with work team
   • Select and prepare climbing equipment according to manufacturer instructions, workplace 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
   • Conduct pre-climb checks of configured systems to ensure compatibility, safety and function according to selected climbing system, industry standards and manufacturer instructions
3. Access tree safely to work position
   • Select and install suitable anchor points according to access method selected
   • Use climbing equipment to ascend tree to suitable work positions within crown using safe access route
   • Undertake transitions between attachment points safely to reach suitable work positions
   • Communicate with work team during operations according to work site and environmental conditions using methods agreed with work team
   • Maintain awareness and clearances to avoid 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 that the individual has used climbing techniques to access at least 2 structurally different trees, including:

confirmed access to site and scope of works

identified workplace health, safety and environmental hazards and completed a job safety analysis (JSA) or safe work method statement (SWMS) for the site and activities

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

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

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

inspected tree and discussed with work team to determine a safe and efficient access route

selected and prepared climbing equipment for accessing tree

ascended, navigated though and descended tree canopy using harness and lanyard and safe anchor points, following safe climbing techniques, including:

moving rope with prusik technique

trunk walking technique

use of foot ascenders

tied, dressed, set and finished the following climbing knots and hitches, including:

alpine butterfly

blake's hitch

scaffold knot

double fisherman's bend/prusik loop

girth hitch

English prusik hitch

marlinspike hitch

munter hitch

clove hitch

double-overhand stopper knot

bowline

running bowline

communicated with work team during operations using agreed communication procedures

maintained safe clearances from power lines

removed all access equipment in a controlled manner on descend from tree

inspected, cleaned, maintained and stored climbing and personal protective equipment according to manufacturer instructions.

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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:

assessing and selecting different methods for climbing trees

workplace health, safety, site, environmental and traffic control measures, including:

completing JSAs and SWMS 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

inspection, use and maintenance of arborist climbing equipment, including:

ropes and their characteristics

rope type, construction and materials

rope inspection and failure conditions

uses of climbing ropes

triple-locking carabiners

climbing hardware

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

safety when climbing trees, including:

safe working limits of ropes and equipment

defects in ropes, tools and equipment

climbing harnesses and lanyards

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

safe distances from electrical power lines

tree structural defects

the presence of insects or other animals

deciding on low-risk access routes

environmental impacts of tree access methods, including:

potential impact on tree of various climbing methods

impact on animal habitat or food source

communications strategies used when climbing with a work team, including:

voice

hand

electronic communications

climbing techniques using ropes and harnesses, including:

moving rope with prusik technique

trunk walking

foot ascenders

safe transitions between points of attachment

low-risk anchor points

controlled descent operations

controlled removal of access equipment

procedures for inspecting, cleaning, maintaining and storing climbing equipment.

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