“For jobs in public spaces, one crew member may need to act as a traffic or pedestrian control spotter to prevent bystanders from walking into danger. Enforcing the rules means stopping work immediately if someone enters the drop zone, establishing boundaries, and reminding both the crew and the public that only trained workers are al- lowed inside,” Conry concluded. UP IN THE AIR Time is money, but safety is priceless. In arboriculture, cutting corners can cost far more than just a few minutes — it can cost lives. Adopting drop zone safety protocols is not only smart, but also a sign of for- ward thinking and a healthy respect for industry standards and best practices. “We enforce these practices in several ways, including a general culture of professionalism, regular safety meet- ings where these procedures are dis- cussed, and job site checks where safe- ty procedures are perfected through on-site coaching,” Tadewaldt said. Professionals who promote this safe- ty-first mindset and exercise a proac- tive approach to their work can better protect themselves, their fellow work- ers, and the public from hazardous work near trees. So, whether you are an arborist, a grounds person, or a mem- ber of the public, bringing safety to the forefront of your life instills a sense of professionalism, integrity, and reliabili- ty that defines what it truly means to be a cut above the rest. ABOUT THE AUTHOR TJ Yurko is an ISA Certified Arborist ® (PR-5403A), ISA TRAQ Arborist, and Certified Landscape Horticul- turist Technician at his company, Tree J Consulting , where he advises clients on urban forestry and arboriculture best management practices and strategies for tree care operations.
Devices such as blocks, pulleys, plates, and friction tools like port-a-wraps assist in guiding tie-offs, ensuring controlled and smooth descents.
•Make pieces easier to handle and guide them in the right direction by using redirects and pruning techniques like step cuts, snap cuts, sectioning, and open-face notching; •Equipment like blocks, pulleys, plates, and friction devices like port-a-wraps help guide tie-offs with smooth, easy descents; •Pre-tension ropes prior to making cuts to reduce unexpected dynamic forces; and •Use speed lines to quickly move limbs to the drop zone, if necessary. “There are many different techniques, equipment, and nuances involved in rigging,” Spence noted, “so it requires adequate training and experience to assess each tree or scenario on a case- by-case basis.” STAND YOUR GROUND Even properly established drop zones will fail if the boundaries and rules ar- en’t respected or enforced. Drop zone safety guidelines between the crew and the public are slightly different, but the general principle is the same. “Nobody should be in that area unless it’s abso- lutely necessary and communication is maintained,” Conry urged.
Ground crew members often assume that they are permitted in the drop zone at any time because of their job respon- sibilities, but this mindset misses the mark on industry standards. ANSI Z133 8.5.12 states that “workers shall stay out of the drop zone until it has been communicated by a qualified arborist, a qualified arborist trainee, or the work- er aloft directly involved in the rigging operation that it is safe to enter.” This is important to remember because even though it may be tempting to walk into the drop zone and grab branches, the climbing arborist may still be in the pro- cess of dropping another limb overhead. “The groundsman should make it a habit to stand outside the drop zone where the climber has a good visual on them and notify the climber when entering the drop zone,” Spence advised. This princi- ple applies to climbing arborists, as well. “If the arborist in the tree has not re- ceived confirmation [from the ground crew], they must assume that workers are in the drop zone,” Tadewaldt added. Curious bystanders may also be inter- ested in watching tree work up close, but traffic controllers need to stand their ground and enforce the rules for everyone’s sake.
62 | Fall 2025 ArborTIMES ™
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