Victorian Tree Industry Organisation » gear inspection

SRT safety notes

Joe — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 11:17:45 +0000

Grant Harris of Canopy Access Ltd. has kindly put together a document giving guidelines as to some common mistakes made with Single Rope Technique, and showing how to avoid those risks. Grant’s company is involved in canopy access work for scientists and film-makers all over the world, so he has logged a lot of vertical kilometres on SRT and he really knows his stuff. In addition, Grant’s document also demonstrates several techniques for conducting an aerial rescue when the casualty is suspended on SRT gear.

You can download a copy of the SRT safety notes PDF here.

Climbers who are not familiar with Single Rope Technique may like to check out the SRT PDF that is available in the Downloads section.

Draft PPE and climbing gear inspection record

Joe — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 11:06:21 +0000

The VTIO is pleased to be able to make available a new document in our downloads section. The draft PPE and climbing gear inspection record is an excel spreadsheet for climbers to document monthly and bi-annual climbing gear inspections.

The spreadsheet is designed to make it simple and quick to record the results of regular documented climbing equipment inspections, which should be in addition to the daily inspection carried out by all climbers prior to using equipment. For more information on recommended equipment inspection schedules, please consult the VTIO Draft Climbing Guidelines. The spreadsheet can be completed electronically, or printed out and filled in by hand.

We hope that a more standardised equipment inspection record sheet will aid the practice of regular gear inspection across the industry, as well as making it easier for sub-contractors or visiting climbers to validate the inspection history of their equipment. Climbers in the VTCC will be expected to produce this or a similar document for the competition gear inspection, documenting the date of issue of their climbing equipment as well as an inspection history.

Please note however that the document is currently in a draft format, and we welcome criticism and input from the climbing community. Questions or comments please contact Kiah Martin(kiah@thetreeworks.com.au).

2009 Tree Climbing Rules

Joe — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 22:47:31 +0000

The 2009 Victorian Tree Climbing Championship will follow the 2009 International Society of Arboriculture Tree Climbing Competition Rules. A copy of these is available here. There are many changes from previous rules sets, and competitors should familiarise themselves with these rules prior to arriving at the competition.

Climbers should also be aware of the most recent guidelines on acceptable equipment. Due to safety concerns, some of the lighter aluminium snaps are no longer acceptable for competition use. The ISA policy on which snaps will be accepted is given here. Please be aware that this ruling will be in force for the 2009 Victorian Tree Climbing Championship.

Gear Inspection

Joe — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 08:45:43 +0000

Gear Inspection for the 2009 VTIO Tree Climbing Championship will be held at Cannings Outdoor Power Equipment, 259 Ferntree Gully Rd., Mt Waverley, from 3 – 6 PM.

Attendance at this inspection is compulsory for all climbers except C-Grade climbers whose equipment will be provided and checked by their college.

Gear will be inspected in order of arrival; once your gear has been approved you will be free to go, so please arrive early.