Pre-Work Job Briefing
The tailboard talk that sets the plan: hazards, roles, drop zones, communication and the emergency plan.
When to use it
Start of every job and after every significant change on site.
Step by step
Step 1
Walk the site. Identify the trees, targets and access.
Step 2
Name the hazards out loud: conductors, traffic, pedestrians, decay, dead wood, slopes, weather, wildlife, structures.
Step 3
Assign roles: climber, groundie, traffic control, signaller, first aid, aerial rescue.
Step 4
Agree the work plan and sequence, including drop zones and where brush and wood go.
Step 5
Agree communication: hand signals, whistle, radio, and who has authority to stop work.
Everyone has stop-work authority. Say so out loud.
Step 6
Confirm the emergency plan: site address, nearest hospital, first aid kit location, rescue gear location.
Step 7
Ask for questions and concerns before anyone starts a saw.
Cautions
- A briefing nobody remembers is not a briefing. Keep it short, specific and out loud.
- Re-brief when the plan, the crew or the weather changes.
On-site checklist
Training aid only. Follow ANSI Z133, your employer's policy and the manufacturer's instructions for every piece of equipment.