I stumbled across some revisions to the ANZI Z133-2012 Safety Requirements for Arboricultural Operations standard on the ISA’s website recently. The revisions were open to public review until the 19th of December. I found myself particularly interested in the proposed revisions to section 3.4 Job Briefing and Worksite Setup.
Revised Section 3.4.6 – 3.4.6.2:
3.4.6 When dropping or lowering trunks, branches, fruit or equipment, a landing area (drop zone) should be designated.
3.4.6.1 People and valuable objects shall be protected or excluded from the drop zone when active.
3.4.6.2 A visible drop zone may be designated as an aid to avoidance of falling objects.
This immediately made me think of the rigging challenges at JAMBO 3 and how relevant this standard was in terms of how teams performed. Taylor Hamel was running the DMM sponsored challenge and he made it very clear that if any competitor were to step under the load at any time, they would be disqualified. Not only would stepping under the load earn you a disqualification, but also touching the load to any of the marked edges of either landing zone, which indicated valuable property or ‘glass walls’, would also get you disqualified (which happened to our team).
The rigging challenge, in hindsight, was a direct interpretation of section 3.4.6.1 of the revised standard: People and valuable objects SHALL BE PROTECTED. Of course, we know what type of weight the word ‘shall’ carries in the standard, it’s something we must abide by.
Sometimes I don’t always make the connection between safety standards and climbing competitions, but this rigging challenge at JAMBO was a memorable experience and so unique by comparison to the typical events at a TCC. Coupled with how diligently safety and the ANZI standard was integrated into this event makes me appreciate what the competition defined. After reading the proposed revisions of the standard, I am in full support of the revised section 3.4.6.1. I feel personally connected to that revision. My team and I violated that standard and we paid the ultimate price. And when I translate that into a real-world setting, I am grateful that I was able to make that mistake in a learning environment. That learning experience will be invaluable to myself, my clients and my colleagues for many years to come.
Source:
http://www.isa-arbor.com/resources/2012_ANSI_Z133_Standard_Third_Public_Review.pdf
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