CTSP Regulatory Compliance (OSHA/Z133) 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: OSHA's recordkeeping rule (29 CFR 1904) requires employers to record work-related injuries on the OSHA 300 log only if the injury results in:
- Any medical treatment beyond basic first aid, days away from work, restricted work, or job transfer (Correct answer)
- More than three days away from work or hospitalization
- Any visit to a medical professional regardless of treatment given
- Injury costs exceeding $500 in medical bills
Correct answer: Any medical treatment beyond basic first aid, days away from work, restricted work, or job transfer
OSHA 300 recording is triggered by cases requiring more than first aid, including days away, restricted duty, job transfer, loss of consciousness, or diagnosis by a healthcare professional.
Question 2: Under ANSI Z133, when must a work-positioning lanyard be used in combination with a separate fall-arrest system?
- Whenever the climber is above 20 feet
- When working in a position where a fall could occur and the lanyard alone does not provide fall arrest (Correct answer)
- Only when the ground crew requests it for liability purposes
- When climbing trees with a DBH greater than 24 inches
Correct answer: When working in a position where a fall could occur and the lanyard alone does not provide fall arrest
ANSI Z133 requires a separate fall-arrest backup when a work-positioning lanyard is used, because positioning lanyards alone do not arrest falls.
Question 3: Under OSHA's injury reporting requirements, an employer must notify OSHA within 24 hours if a work-related incident results in:
- Any employee requiring stitches at an emergency room
- The in-patient hospitalization of one or more employees (Correct answer)
- A lost-time injury exceeding five calendar days
- Any incident involving a chainsaw or power tool
Correct answer: The in-patient hospitalization of one or more employees
OSHA requires employers to report any work-related in-patient hospitalization within 24 hours, and fatalities within 8 hours.
Question 4: ANSI Z133 requires a 'drop zone' to be established when removing wood from a tree. Which factor is most critical in determining the size of the drop zone?
- The weight of the piece being lowered
- The length of the piece and the height from which it is dropped (Correct answer)
- The slope of the ground beneath the tree
- The number of workers assigned to the ground crew
Correct answer: The length of the piece and the height from which it is dropped
The drop zone size is primarily determined by piece length and drop height, as these factors determine how far a piece can bounce or roll.
Question 5: A tree care company is cited by OSHA for a 'willful' violation. This classification means the employer:
- Was unaware of the hazard but should have known about it
- Intentionally and knowingly violated OSHA standards or was indifferent to worker safety (Correct answer)
- Failed to correct a previously cited violation within the abatement period
- Allowed a worker under 18 to operate hazardous equipment
Correct answer: Intentionally and knowingly violated OSHA standards or was indifferent to worker safety
A willful violation is one where the employer knew about the hazard and consciously chose not to correct it, carrying the highest OSHA penalties.
Question 6: According to ANSI Z133, the use of a hand-saw or chainsaw while positioned in the tree requires the climber to maintain:
- A two-hand grip on the tool at all times during cutting
- Three points of contact or be secured by the climbing system before cutting begins (Correct answer)
- Direct communication with a ground worker via radio at all times
- A minimum of 10 feet of clearance above the cut
Correct answer: Three points of contact or be secured by the climbing system before cutting begins
ANSI Z133 requires climbers to be secured by their climbing system or maintain three points of contact before initiating any cutting operation.
Question 7: Under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.266, what is the required action if a worker discovers a defective tool or piece of equipment at the start of a shift?
- Tag the equipment and continue using it with caution until a replacement is available
- Remove the defective equipment from service and tag it so it cannot be used (Correct answer)
- Report the defect to a supervisor and await written authorization to continue
- Repair the equipment on-site if the worker has basic mechanical skills
Correct answer: Remove the defective equipment from service and tag it so it cannot be used
OSHA requires defective equipment to be removed from service immediately and tagged out so it cannot be used until properly repaired or replaced.
CTSP Regulatory Compliance (OSHA/Z133) 5
OSHA's recordkeeping rule (29 CFR 1904) requires employers to record work-related injuries on the OSHA 300 log only if the injury results in: