Virginia Law

NOTE: The content of this training outline is generic and may be customized to achieve equivalent levels of safe practice by substituting or, where deemed appropriate to the circumstances, omitting portions of this outline. Use or nonuse of training aids that may be available shall not be evidence of noncompliance with this regulation.

A. General requirements. Specific training in the area of individual expertise and work required of a qualified line-clearance arborist or qualified arborist shall be provided by the employer and documentation of training retained on file for the duration of employment.

1. Introduction and employer/employee responsibilities.

2. Employee orientation, to include:

a. Job description appropriate to job assignment (qualified line-clearance arborist or qualified arborist).

b. Introduction to immediate supervisor and crew members.

c. Familiarization with appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment and its proper use and maintenance.

d. Familiarization with equipment.

e. Introduction to company policies, procedures, and safe work practices.

f. Safe work practices as related to job assignments.

g. Written acknowledgment by employee that he has participated in such training.

3. Line-clearance or tree care pruning techniques appropriate to job assignments, as follows:

a. Provide education and training in accordance with prevailing national standards for utility pruning. Refer to recommended resources in 16VAC25-73-120 (Appendix C) for further information.

b. Provide education and training in accordance with prevailing local, state, or regional standards for utility pruning, as well as those specified by utility contracts.

c. Provide tree knowledge for line-clearance or tree care techniques appropriate to job assignments.

d. Provide education and training relative to predominant tree species within geographic area, such as identification, growth habits, structure, and wood strength.

e. Provide education and training for recognition and evaluation of potentially hazardous conditions related to tree structure. Refer to recommended resources in 16VAC25-73-120 (Appendix C).

B. General safety.

1. VOSH regulations. Familiarize employees with the requirements of VOSH regulations as applicable to employee job assignments. Refer to recommended resources in 16VAC25-73-120 (Appendix C).

2. American national standards. Familiarize employees with the requirements in ANSI A300 as applicable to employee job assignments. Refer to additional recommended standards in 16VAC25-73-120 (Appendix C).

3. Public safety and traffic control. Provide education and training in the use of public safety and traffic control devices as applicable under federal, state, or local regulations.

4. Electrical hazards. Provide education and training in the recognition and avoidance of electrical hazards applicable to employee job assignments (line clearance or tree care).

5. Emergency conditions. Provide education and training in the proper procedures for safely performing work in emergency conditions applicable to employee job assignments.

6. Jobsite briefings. Provide education and training in jobsite-specific hazards associated with the job, work procedures, and practices involved. Instruct employees about special precautions, personal protective clothing, and equipment requirements as applicable to employee job assignments.

C. Personal safety.

1. Personal protective equipment. Provide personal protective equipment as required for applicable job assignments, and instruct employees in its proper use, fit, life, and maintenance.

2. Emergency response procedures. Furnish employees with appropriate information and training necessary to expedite a response to a worksite emergency, such as first aid, CPR, and aerial rescue (see 16VAC25-73-150, Appendix E, Aerial Rescue Flowchart).

3. Prevention of back and other injuries. Provide education and training in the techniques required to avoid back and other injuries applicable to job assignments.

4. Identification and avoidance of animals and poison plants. Provide education and training in the identification of and the need to avoid contact with poison plants and instructions for treating insect stings/bites and snake bites.

D. Equipment safety.

1. Mobile equipment and aerial lifts. Provide education and training in the inspection, operation, and maintenance of all vehicles and equipment, such as aerial lifts, brush chippers, stump grinders, log loaders, tree cranes, mowing equipment, and pesticide application equipment. All equipment shall comply with applicable federal and state regulations, local ordinances, and manufacturers' operating instructions (see 16VAC25-60-120). Such training shall be appropriate to employee job assignments.

2. Aerial equipment and electrical hazards. Provide education and training so that affected employees understand the required and recommended procedures for operating aerial devices in proximity to electrical hazards. Such training shall be appropriate to employee job assignments.

3. Chain saw, power tool, and hand tool use and safety. Provide education and training in the safe use of chain saws, power tools, and hand tools in accordance with manufacturers' instructions. Such training shall be appropriate to employee job assignments.

4. Climbing equipment use and safety. Provide education and training in the inspection, maintenance, and storage of climbing equipment such as ropes, saddles, personal lanyards, rope snaps, carabiners, and related equipment. Such training shall be appropriate to employee job assignments.

E. Operational safety.

1. Climbing techniques. Provide education and training in climbing techniques as appropriate to employee job assignments.

2. Rigging and tree removal:

a. Provide education and training appropriate to employee job assignments, such as knots and ropes, rigging techniques, tree strength and weight characteristics, and potential electrical hazards.

b. Provide education and training in the identification and removal of hazard trees. Such training shall be appropriate to employee job assignments.

3. Hazard communications. Provide education and training necessary to comply with federal and state regulations appropriate to employee job assignments.

4. Pesticide use. Provide education and training necessary to comply with federal and state regulations appropriate to employee job assignments.