1. Best Practices Identified at the Gettysburg Safety Summit April 24-25, 2017

2. Discussion Groups
Working Ash Trees Hostile Customers/Situation Resolution Storm Restoration Utility/Tree Crew Communication Driver Attention/Vehicle Incidents

3. Working Ash Trees

4. Common Hazards Discussed
Root system fails which makes the hazard hard to identify 
Property owner doesn’t want to have declining ash removed – must return after it dead
Limb split on declining ash tree more frequently
Barber chairing is very common
Caution using mechanical pullers because the break point is unpredictable
You don’t know what portion of the Ash Tree will fail

5. Preparing for Ash Removal
Get second opinion when assessing a danger tree to develop a plan
If any part of your work plan can’t be accomplished, don’t climb
Some companies already have a policy in place that climbing ash trees that are infected with the Emerald Ash Borer is prohibited.

6. Best Practices
Educate the property owner on the hazards and effects of the ash borer
Using an adjacent tree to access dead ash or to rig from
Drop utility lines if needed
Bringing in equipment (Lifts, Crane, Arial Saw, Feller Bunchier, etc…) on property to remove ash, letting customer know that may be required if the tree declines more sometimes convinces them to allow earlier removal
Don’t pre-load trees by pulling on a rope or using mechanical puller
Use bore cut to reduce the chance of the ash tree barber chairing
Develop a specialized utility line clearance climbing crew that remove the infected Ash Trees

7. Hostile Customers/Situation Resolution

8. Best Practices – Customer Service
Communication of planned work is critical
Listen to the property owner
Find a common interest to discuss
When a customer complaint comes in make phone contact with the quickly.
Sometimes is better to let the customer cool down before a face to face meeting.

9. Best Practices – Personal Safety
Ask yourself what your gut is telling you about the situation
Always take a co-worker with you.
Don't let a customer put you in a unsafe situation
Plan an exit route
Observe surroundings when arriving for clues to customers state of mind and if there are dogs
Don't retaliate if a customer is threatening physical harm, remove yourself from the situation.
Communication of known hostile customers is critical

10. Storm Restoration

11. Best Practices Emergency Action Plan First On the Scene
Does your company have one?
Required Job Briefing Info
Equipment and Materials
First On the Scene
Know the Procedure

12. Best Practices cont. Situational Awareness Alternative Energy Sources
Effective Job Briefing
Assume the Worst
Continual Assessment
Alternative Energy Sources
Generators
Windmills
Solar

13. Best Practices cont. Understanding Skill Sets/Policies Communication
Your / Crews
Contractor / Utility Policies
Communication
Clear
Effective
To the point

14. Utility/Tree Crew Communication

15. Best Practices
Morning Job briefing, rotating the job briefing duties to be inclusive
Method of communication: Standardize hand signal review, whistle, terms to use, 3 way communication
Work Zone Set-Up: drop zones coned off, designated entry point (ground man)
New Employee Identification:  different color hard hat or sticker
Trust but Verify someone can perform the task  or  the work prescription for the address
Technology: Texting, translator app for written print, tickets, pictures of work site

16. Lessons Learned Address ALL crew members, respect for all
Focus on production over safety
You have to power to shut down the work site
Line equipment inspections, report to the Utility

17. Driver Attention/Vehicle Incidents

18. Driving Safety

19. Distractions Assigning the phone to a non driver or co-pilot.
Assign a list of specific duties to the passenger.
Being conscience of when non crew members are calling a driver. Communicate when the best time to call is.
Locking up the phone so it is inaccessible.
Keeping the cab clear of clutter. (Housekeeping)
Pre-Planning the route driven and using a “trip pre-job”.

20. Inexperienced Drivers
Specific, proactive, narrowly focused, training.
Ride-A-Longs by management or training personnel
Periodic, structured , reevaluations
Written and field testing to evaluate drivers.

21. Spotter Use
Specific, structured training that focuses on standardized procedures.
Designated spotter mirror.
Communicate a plan, don’t presume.

22. External Contributing Factors
Weather
Wildlife
Road Conditions
Other drivers/traffic

23. Weather
Making a determination if its safe to work prior to start of work.
Utilizing the proper equipment (chains).
Pre-Flight the route to access risk.

24. Road Conditions
Site specific assessments and implementation of traffic control measures.
Leave yourself an out, plan alternate routes that me be safer.
Implementation of pre-flight concerns into the crew work plan. Pre Drive Pre Job.

25. Other Drivers/Traffic
Learn to identify the signs of other drivers operating distracted. (texting)
Limiting driving time exposer by moving the park site closer.
Crash Trucks for flagging operations.
Plan an out and designate an observer to monitor flagging set ups.

26. Upcoming Events
Trees and Utilities Conference Sept 26-28, 2017 Kansas City, Missouri Minnesota Safety Summit Oct 26-27, 2017 Register at
Webinars for continuing education,