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).
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.