Accreditation audits are more than a checklist exercise – they’re a window into how safety practices hold up in the real world. Out in the field, small oversights can quickly become serious risks.

In this new recurring department, auditors will share trends and observations from job sites across the country – practical reminders of where crews are getting it right and where vigilance is needed. Each installment will highlight real-world issues, explain why they matter and reinforce the best practices that protect crews, companies and the public.

For our inaugural Safety Snapshot, auditors spotlight trailer hookups, fire-extinguisher accessibility and first-aid kit compliance – three areas where simple lapses can carry significant consequences.

TRAILER HOOKUPS

Field observation:

Failure to properly hookup trailers, such as chippers, etc.

This issue was shared by Bob Rouse, TCIA’s senior vice president of business support.

What auditors are noticing:

TCIA auditors have noticed a trend of poor trailer hook-up practices. A common thread is what we would call an incomplete hook-up. This is most often due to the connection hardware being compromised in some form.

What do we mean by that? Well, here is specific example:

An example of a good trailer hookup, with connections and hardware in good working order and not twisted or wrapped. Photo courtesy of Bob Rouse.

In the morning, the crew has to change a truck and trailer configuration, perhaps because a larger chipper needs to go to a specific job on a specific truck. When the chipper is hooked up to the truck, the crew usually hooks most of the elements up correctly: the pintle is connected, the trailer lights plugged in. But the runaway emergency-brake cable is not connected because the small loop on the truck was broken off.

In other occurrences, the runaway brake cable is connected, but because the truck hardware connection point was damaged, an ad-hoc connection was made. And that ad-hoc connection was not in a location that would allow the runaway brake to function properly if needed.

Why this matters:

There have been some horrific traffic accidents in the past when chippers unhooked from their trucks. When this happens, the runaway emergency brake is the final fail-safe that could stop a chipper or trailer before it hits another vehicle or does some other kind of damage.

Common contributing factors:

Having to make last-minute morning changes introduces the potential for mistakes. It’s always better to get your truck, chipper and trailer configuration ready to go the night before.

Small repairs can easily be overlooked or postponed, such as not replacing a broken connector on a truck and instead finding another place to connect the emergency runaway brake – or not connecting it at all – so that the crew can get out on the job. But it’s best to address small repairs immediately.

Best practices

All hookups need to be done according to standards and manufacturers’ recommendations. Safety chains and runaway emergency brake cables should not be twisted to adjust their length, and should be attached to connection points on the trucks that are made specifically for connecting those chains and cables.

Always perform a daily Driver Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR). Include all items in trailer/chipper hookup on your daily DVIR. Be sure the runaway emergency brake is included.

Be sure a compliant and/or manufacturer-recommended connection point on the truck is available, and that all crew members know that is the only connection point for the runaway emergency brake.

Stickers and visual aids, such as reminder stickers on the truck door and dashboard, remind drivers to perform a last-minute visual check for correct trailer hookup before rolling.

A practical reminder for crews:

Perform your DVIR daily and always do one final check of the trailer/chipper hookup before rolling.

Holding up a truck for a half hour in the morning to repair a runaway emergency-brake connector can be very annoying, but it is far better and far less costly than having a chipper come off a truck with no way for it to stop until it hits something.

Conclusion:

To be clear, chippers and trailers have unhooked from trucks and have hit and killed other motorists in the past. Having a functional runaway emergency brake does not guarantee there will not be an accident, but it is imperative that it function to have any chance of avoiding an incident.

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

Field observation:

Fire extinguishers kept in locations that are difficult to access.

This issue was shared by David Pease, CTSP, CHST and loss control specialist.

What auditors are noticing:

On a small number of worksite visits, I have discovered fire extinguishers being kept inside truck cabs or truck storage lockers while work is being performed. In some cases, my contacts have had to dig the extinguisher out or search for keys to unlock the locker to access it. I’ve observed this in both large and small operations. In an emergency, this would lead to a delayed response to a fire, allowing it to grow to an unmanageable size.

Fire extinguishers should be readily accessible for use at a moment’s notice. A fire is not going to wait for you to dig it out from behind the passenger seat or unlock a storage locker.

Why this matters:

Stopping a fire in its incipient stage is critical. Fires can grow rapidly in a matter of seconds. Every second you spend trying to access an improperly stored extinguisher increases the likelihood of a devastating catastrophe that can cost lives and millions of dollars.

Best practices

Poor emergency-response planning and poor housekeeping practices often lead to this condition. Preparing emergency- response equipment (extinguishers, water sprayers, first-aid kit, etc.) before work begins should always be part of your job safety briefing. Every member of your crew should be informed of the location of this equipment before work begins. Encourage your workers to keep their trucks and equipment tidy and organized to ensure extinguishers are easily accessible.

In addition, it is good practice to mount a fire extinguisher on each piece of equipment operated by your company. Make sure the extinguisher is visible and that access is not obstructed in any way.

A practical reminder for crews:

Being prepared for an emergency is just as important as getting the job done. Imagine how much of your hard work can be destroyed if you cannot get to your fire extinguisher on time.

When you arrive on site, designate a location where your emergency gear will be laid out. Everyone on the crew should be informed of the location. Ensure a fire extinguisher is included in this equipment. Adding this as a checklist item on your job safety briefing will help ensure this is done at every site.

It is vital that your extinguishers are in good condition as well. Before you leave the company yard, inspect each of your extinguishers. Ensure they are undamaged, fully charged and have the pin in place, held on with the zip tie. If you have concerns about any of your extinguishers, replace them immediately before heading to the work site.

Conclusion:

An uncontrolled fire can lead to devastating consequences. Aside from property damage and lives lost, it can also destroy your business.

Having a fire extinguisher nearby and ready to use can end the fire before it begins to grow. Fire extinguishers are meant to put out small, contained fires. Once the fire has begun to spread, it may be too late. If it takes you an extra minute to find or unlock your extinguisher, you have already lost the battle.

Ensure your crews are prepared to respond at all times. Make emergency preparedness a part of your work-site setup routine. Provide your crews with effective equipment and inspect it regularly. Finally, train your employees on fire extinguisher use at least annually.

FIRST-AID KITS

Field observation:

Does your first-aid or trauma kit meet OSHA and ANSI requirements – and, more important, will it address the real hazards your crew faces in the field?

This issue was shared by Kristoffer Rasmussen, CTSP, CLQ, ISA Urban Forest Professional, Florida ISA Chapter Prescription Pruning Coordinator, TCIA Accreditation Auditor and loss control specialist.

What auditors are noticing:

A leashed trauma kit, Bleeding Control training kit and Headrest IFAK that can be mounted to a vehicle headrest for easy access in an emergency. Photo courtesy of Kristoffer Rasmussen.

During field visits, auditors are finding that not all first-aid kits carried by tree crews are equipped for the types of emergencies inherent to arboricultural operations. Tree work exposes employees to chain saw injuries, struck-bys, contact with electrical conductors, falls and environmental extremes. Yet many kits resemble basic office or light-duty industrial kits.

Before evaluating the contents of a first-aid kit, employers must begin with a certification of hazard assessment and PPE use as required by 29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2). This hazard assessment determines what injuries are reasonably anticipated – and therefore what supplies must be available.

Why this matters:

The ANSI Z133 (2017), Section 3.2.2, states:

The employer shall provide and maintain a first-aid kit that meets the requirements of ANSI Z308.1, with contents appropriate for the type of job and number of workers.

This language is clear: The kit must not only meet the ANSI standard, it must also reflect the hazards of the job and crew size. Employers are also required to inspect kits regularly, replace used items and remove expired supplies. The ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2021 standard is commonly referenced under OSHA’s General Duty Clause. For tree crews, a Class B kit is typically appropriate.

Training is required:

Equipment alone is not enough. The ANSI Z133-2017 3.2.4 states:

Employees who may be faced with a rescue decision shall receive training in emergency response and rescue procedures appropriate and applicable to the work to be performed, as well as training to recognize the hazards inherent in rescue efforts.

Additionally, Z133-2017, Section 3.2.5, requires that for field crews involving two or more workers, at least two workers trained in first aid and CPR shall be available. However, only one trained person needs to be available if all new employees receive first-aid training within three months of hire. Best practice, however, is for every crew member to maintain current first-aid and CPR certification.

Common contributing factors:

If your kits have not been updated since before 2022, they’re likely misaligned with current industry consensus standards – the same standards OSHA inspectors reference during enforcement.

Best practices

The Hazard Recognition Energy Wheel sticker, displayed on Xylem Tree Experts vehicles to remind employees of the hazards they can encounter in the field. Photo by Kristoffer Rasmussen.

Inspect kits during the daily Driver Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR), and maintain at least one Class B or bleeding-control trauma kit per vehicle.

Stage first-aid or bleeding-control trauma kits in close proximity to crews so they can be accessed within two to three minutes in the event of an emergency.

Equip climbers and aerial-lift operators with a personal first-aid kit (PFAK) on their harness containing, at minimum, a tourniquet and hemostatic gauze.

If a climber or aerial-lift operator is injured at height, uncontrolled bleeding can become fatal before the worker is lowered. If your hazard assessment identifies a high risk of “violent trauma,” which includes chain-saw injuries, OSHA increasingly looks for documented Stop the Bleed training alongside first-aid kit compliance. This aligns your equipment with demonstrated competency.

A practical reminder for crews:

OSHA cannot directly fine employers for failing to follow a voluntary ANSI standard. However, it uses two primary mechanisms to bridge that gap:

In the General Duty Clause, under Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act of 1970, employers must provide a workplace free from recognized hazards. If a worker suffers a severe chain-saw injury and your kit lacks a tourniquet or bleeding-control supplies, OSHA may argue you failed to address a recognized hazard. The 2021 ANSI standard represents the industry’s recognized method of mitigation.

In standards such as 1910.151, OSHA requires that first-aid supplies be “adequate.” OSHA letters of interpretation frequently reference ANSI/ISEA Z308.1 as guidance for minimum kit requirements. OSHA’s enforcement philosophy is simple: Enforce the most protective standard available.

In state-plan states, such as California, Washington and Oregon, the ANSI standard may be formally adopted into state law – making it fully mandatory.

Conclusion:

Tree work presents predictable, high-consequence hazards – particularly severe bleeding injuries. Compliance is not about having a first-aid kit. It is about having the right kit, properly stocked, inspected and supported by trained personnel.

The question is no longer: “Do we have a first-aid kit?” The better question is: “If a life-threatening bleeding injury happens today, are we truly prepared?”