When trees are particularly high or can become a hazard, specialists are needed in most cases. This is because expertise and routine are indispensable for climbing at heights of several metres.
Tree care work is challenging for the workers - and also for the equipment. Markus Breithaupt knows what is important here. He is a self-employed contractor and has been working in the field for over 20 years.
"Markus Breithaupt has to wear a safety helmet, among other things, as part of his personal protective equipment when working, in addition to a climbing harness."
Within a few minutes, Markus Breithaupt has climbed into the crown of an oak tree. At a height of more than 40 metres, the specialist agronomist uses a chainsaw to trim the branches, some of which are thick and rotten and could fall onto the customer's garden house during the next storm at the latest. A loud warning call follows. Breithaupt then lets the branches fall to the ground, where they are shredded by a colleague in a chipper.
Working at heights involves many dangers. That is why protective equipment is mandatory. While the 46-year-old climbs, for example, he must use at least one rope. With this, he is secured to the trunk or in the crown of the tree. Because he also uses a chainsaw, there is a risk of the rope being cut. In such cases, double belaying must be done with another rope with a steel core. These measures are prescribed by the Social Insurance for Agriculture, Forestry and Horticulture (SVLFG). A climbing harness is also mandatory, which arborists cannot do without as part of their personal protective equipment.
"Job on a slippery slope: If you use rope climbing techniques like Markus Breithaupt, you can get to hard-to-reach places when tending trees."
At first glance, the procedures seem like a comparatively easy exercise. But there are years of experience and special qualifications in rope climbing techniques (SKT) behind it - including Breithaupt. He has been working in the field of tree care for over 20 years. In Michelstadt, Hesse, he has been running a business since 1998, which now employs six people and works on behalf of municipalities, nature conservation authorities, companies and private customers. "It takes three to four years to master the job completely and confidently," says the expert. This often leads to surprises, especially with private clients, "because they can hardly imagine how complex our work actually is".
No leeway due to SVLFG regulations
Before Markus Breithaupt climbed into the oak tree at his customer's, he first prepared a risk assessment and checked the tree safety for this - from the tree environment to the crown, for example. The expert is accompanied by one of his employees. This is obligatory and stipulated by the SVLFG. This is because rope-assisted work may only be carried out by at least two fully equipped persons with the appropriate level of training. This is to ensure that rescue and first aid can be provided at any time in the event of an emergency. After all, even with professionally correct SKT use, there is a risk of losing one's balance and falling, for example when cutting back a tree.
"To reduce the risk of equipment misuse, harnesses should be self-explanatory as soon as they are put on."
The consequences of a lack of routine or carelessness, on the other hand, are shown by the SVLFG statistics for the SKT sector. For the current reporting year 2019, 98 accidents were reported during rope-supported work - with injuries ranging from bruises and muscle tears to cuts and broken bones. The causes were, for example, carelessness when selecting holding points, underestimating the load on a stand or not having the necessary expertise. For good reason, the SVLFG therefore leaves no room for manoeuvre when it comes to which people are allowed to work with rope climbing techniques.
A job only for qualified experts
For Markus Breithaupt, too, there is no doubt that only qualified employees are allowed to climb in the tree in his company - and that they only wear suitable equipment when doing so. This applies, for example, to the climbing harness, which according to SVLFG regulations must be certified to EN 813, EN 358 or EN 361. However, certification alone is not enough. "When I work in a tree, some days I wear the harness for eight hours at a stretch," he says. "That's why it shouldn't affect me and must fit perfectly. If, on the other hand, pressure points form or it sits uncomfortably, that becomes unpleasant in the long run." He also makes sure that the use of a harness is self-explanatory. Leading manufacturers of fall protection systems are now developing solutions that meet such criteria in terms of wearing comfort and ergonomics. Like SKYLOTEC. The family-owned company has been developing and manufacturing protective equipment in Germany for over 70 years. This includes harnesses for almost every area of application. Markus Breithaupt, for example, opted for the "Ignite Arb" model. The harness is comfortable - and does not restrict freedom of movement when climbing. This is important because arborists often have to change their position during a working day and reach hard-to-reach places easily. The model also has other advantages: A power saw or quiver for hand saws can be easily attached to a tool eyelet. On the other hand, the harness, which is certified according to EN 358 and EN 813, is very resistant. "I have to be able to rely on my equipment and the material has to withstand the rough conditions in our job."
"Work with rope climbing techniques such as in tree care is complex and requires routine. Among other things, Markus Breithaupt uses a descender to lower himself or to position himself."
Over the years, Markus Breithaupt has made the practical experience that there is no harness for all cases. Because the choice of equipment always depends on what activities are to be carried out. "It can also happen, for example, that I only have to climb trees for a short time in nature conservation and landscape management during stock checks. Then I don't need a harness for long work in a sitting position," he says. That's why he uses the Ignite Record for such work. It is very lightweight and well suited for those jobs where workers have to move a lot and work less in a seated position. Markus Breithaupt appreciates that manufacturers like SKYLOTEC offer a wide product range. "Of course, it makes it easier to find suitable equipment if you can get almost everything from a single source," says the arborist. Because in order to do his job safely, he needs not only a harness but also a safety helmet, rope clamps or abseiling and rescue equipment.
Expert knowledge about trees is a MUST
„Climbing harnesses such as the 'Ignite Arb' and 'Ignite Record' from SKYLOTEC have tool eyelets to which, for example, quivers for hand saws can be easily attached."
When Markus Breithaupt talks about rope climbing techniques, one thing is important to him. "It's just the means to reach our workplace efficiently and safely," says the self-employed entrepreneur. "But ultimately it's about the tree and its preservation. So the expertise in this field should come with anyone who wants to work with rope climbing techniques." As co-owner of a cooperative for further training in tree care, tree inspection and industry-specific occupational safety, he has found that this knowledge is increasingly in demand. For example, his team trains tree care teams from local authorities or companies. "We are happy to pass on our expertise, also when it comes to the question of suitable equipment," says Markus Breithaupt.
Rope climbing technique must be learned
If you want to climb heights as an arborist like Markus Breithaupt, you have to learn the rope climbing technique. This may be used when scaffolding, aerial work platforms or work baskets cannot be used or the tree location cannot be accessed in any other way. The rope climbing technique level A (SKT-A) is first about being able to climb from the ground into the treetop with little effort or to reach any part of the tree safely with the rope. After that, 300 practical climbing hours must be completed and proof of expertise in chainsaws must be provided before participation in the SKT-B course is possible. This course focuses on working with the chainsaw in the tree and the safe removal of logs.