If you have to hoist a climber into a tree with a crane, we recommend that you document your reasons in writing. It's the law in Maryland and highly advisable everywhere else.

OSHA's issue with cranes focuses on the practice of hoisting a climber into a work position. This practice violates the federal OSHA standard. Both Maryland and Virginia OSHA adopted arborist rules that permit the climber to be hoisted, but only when it provides the safest or only feasible means of access.

TCIA Members and tree care companies in Ohio and Illinois need to be aware of stepped up inspection activity from OSHA commencing April 1 and continuing through September 30, the result of a "local emphasis program," or LEP, targeting tree businesses.

Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHOs) will, while traveling during the course of their workday, be watchful for tree care work activities where employees may be exposed to hazardous conditions. The CSHO will then notify his/her Area Office for authorization to begin an immediate inspection.

Effective March 14, 2013, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is declaring eradication of the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) in Middlesex and Union Counties, New Jersey, thereby releasing them from quarantine. Since 2004, APHIS has worked with its State partners to complete extensive survey, control, and regulatory activities in these areas to eradicate ALB from New Jersey.

APHIS determined that these counties can be removed from quarantine after program efforts resulted in three years of negative surveys of host plants within the regulated areas.

Townsend Tree Service is the first company in the USA to be accredited under a new Utility Contractor - Tree Service Company Accreditation program administered by TCIA. Achieving accreditation means that the company adheres to industry standards for safety and best business practices, maintains a trained, professional staff and is dedicated to the provision of top quality services.