AHCARB319 — Use arborist climbing techniques

Elements & performance criteria

Performance evidence

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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).

Knowledge evidence

• 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.

Foundation skills

• Writing: Accurately complete organisational documents, including job safety analysis and records

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