Course Description
This is a 2-day module designed for the ‘entry’ level arborist, but arborists with rigging skills are welcome to attend. This is a ‘hands-on’ course. This course is for the arborists who have minimal rigging training and want to learn more about (1) rigging ropes, their constructions and fibers, (2) arborist blocks, their advantages and limitations, (3) rescue pulleys and what they are designed for, (4) spliced eye slings for anchoring pulleys and rope friction devices, (5) rope friction devices and their advantages and limitations, (6) rope tools, such as whoopie slings, loopie slings, pocket slings, and ring slings, and safely use them. We will be using a truck mounted aerial lift, so experience using this equipment is required. A demonstration of a thorough ‘tree risk assessment’, to check for structural integrity, making sure the tree can withstand the forces being applied. Going over the different constructions of synthetic rope, and the advantages and limitations of each construction, will be demonstrated. Tying arborist approved knots and hitches for installing a pulley, rope friction device and lowering limbs and trunk wood. Understanding knot strength loss and the advantages of spliced goods. The demonstration and use of arborist blocks (Pulleys) for lowering wood, re-directing the lowering line to a “drop zone”, rope friction devices for lowering wood, building mechanical advantage system for lifting and open face notches.
All attendees will have the opportunity to install an arborist block, install the lowering line into the block, tie off a limb, cut an open face notch and cut the limb off.
An aerial lift truck will be on site for use. A full body harness, size Large, will be on site for use. Please bring your own full body harness if you wear other than a size Large or prefer to wear your own.
Equipment Requirements
Provided Equipment
Day One
Meet in a classroom for 2 hours for introduction and a Power Point presentation. Drive to the site for demonstrations and participation. Go over knots and rope, pulleys (arborist, rescue), slings, rope friction devices, tree risk assessment, and then actual rigging from the aerial lift truck.
Day Two
Continue with limb rigging, mechanical advantage systems, rigging spar wood off itself (drop- hitching) and spar notching & dropping (felling).
There will be a Practical test at the end. The test will consist of tying the following knots: Stationary bowline; Running bowline; Clove hitch locked with 2 half hitches; Cow hitch; Timber hitch.
Outcomes
Upon completion of the Rigging Level 1 module, each participant will gain knowledge of or be able to perform the following tasks, with emphasis on Safety.
