•Rope handlers must remain at a distance no less than 1.5 times the tree’s height. DANGER FROM ABOVE Unexpected mishaps in the drop zone can literally come out of the blue, so re- main vigilant of these common hazards when working in or around the drop zone: • Primary Hazards: Falling branch- es, limbs, trunk sections, tools, equipment, and rigging gear. • Secondary Hazards: Ricocheting/ swinging/bouncing/rolling limbs, slipping or tripping over fallen debris, sharp points/edges from branches and tools, pinch points in climbing and rigging gear, snagged/tangled climbing lines, eye or lung irritation from sawdust, and electrocution from powerlines. • Tertiary Hazards: People entering the drop zone unexpectedly, falling from a height, poor spatial aware- ness, poor communication, compla- cency, and weather conditions like wind, rain, or smoke. Conry stressed the importance of not un- derestimating hazards with complacent
Visible markers like reflective signs, cones, and tape provide an effective way to communicate the boundaries of a drop zone and prevent unauthorized access.
•For tree pruning, cones must be placed at least 10 feet beyond the drip line; •For tree removals, targets must maintain a minimum distance of 20 feet away from the drip line; •For tree felling, the drop zone must be set at a distance of at least twice the height of the tree; and
Often considered the gold standard of safety guidelines in the arboriculture industry, the ANSI Z133 sets the pre- cedence of safe tree work operations in many disciplines: Section 3 — General Safety Requirements, Section 6 — Portable Power Hand Tools, and Section 8 — Work Procedures cover many aspects of drop zone safety, with 3.4 — Job Briefing and Worksite Setup, 3.5 — Traffic Control, 6.1 — General, 8.1 — Climbing Procedures, 8.2 — Ropes and Arborist Equipment, 8.3 — Pruning and Trimming, and 8.5 — Rigging being the most pertinent. “It’s important that we always use ANSI Z133 procedures to keep everyone safe and consistent,” Conry reminded. To reduce the risk of injuries and fatal- ities, tree care companies should imple- ment clear and consistent drop zone safe- ty policies using ANSI Z133 guidelines: •Define a 360° perimeter around the tree using marker colors that are visually distinct from work zone markers; •Ensure 3-way communication is es- tablished before any personnel are allowed to enter the drop zone;
Hazards can be hidden in plain sight, so it’s important for arborists to conduct a site hazard assessment prior to any tree work to help prevent accidents and injuries.
58 | Fall 2025 ArborTIMES ™
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