STAY WITHIN YOUR SKILL SET In a high-hazard trade, Burley stressed that no job was worth rushing into be- fore the training, repetition, and judg- ment were in place. “Know where you fit, and do not go outside your skill set,” he advised. “Take your time and learn everything you possibly can before starting some- thing new.” Workers often came to a job with some technical know-how but lack the re- al-world experience to make safe deci- sions in unpredictable environments. Burley placed the responsibility on both workers and foremen to recognize that gap. “If you don’t do your time,” he warned, “you don’t get the same experience lev- el. You can’t just jump into the top spot and expect to be successful.” SURROUND YOURSELF WITH EXPERTS One of the best ways to build those skills, Burley believes, is to work shoulder-to-shoulder with people who perhaps have an extra few years in and a bit more knowledge of the industry.
Bill Burley shares expert techniques during a live demo at ArborEXPO™ '25.
tice alone, but alongside seasoned pro- fessionals. “That’s the best thing,” he said. “Learn- ing how he approaches things makes me a better climber. We have different skill sets for the same thing, and it just makes you better.” LEVERAGE THE RIGHT TOOLS AND TECH For Burley, improving job site safety is not just about what people do — it’s about how machines can help mitigate the everyday risks that arborists face. “The more manpower you had on a project,” he noted, “the higher the potential for incident there was.” Investing in mechanical support — like mini skid steers, grapple trucks, or articulated loaders — is not a luxury. It is a necessity for safe scaling. He pointed out that dragging brush and hauling wood remains the most com- mon source of injuries like strains and sprains. Meanwhile, a mini skid steer, for example, could move five times
“ I might work with someone with the same skill level, same ability level, but he approaches things differently than I do,” he said. While structured training programs are essential, Burley emphasized the power of practice — and not just prac-
Recognized for redefining industry standards, Burley receives the ArborAWARD for complex or challenging project.
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