Use of tree company EWP onsite
Many tree companies in Australia and New Zealand utilise EWPs for tree access and dismantling / pruning works . It must be noted that the machines are not rated to the same standards as fire rescue machines and as such must be treated with caution .
Truck-mounted EWP
Standard machines for vegetation management contractors are 18-meter insulated towers , with a slewing boom . However , larger ones can be utilised .
These machines can operate between 3-5 degrees in slope elevation and can hold up to 200kg in the basket . These machines can be either insulated for powerline works or uninsulated for other works away from electricity .
They do not have a stretcher location and often have a tight fiberglass basket difficult to enter from the outside by a casualty .
If utilising these machines , then it is important that a trained operator utilise the controls to effect the rescue and that prior to engagement a thorough understanding of emergency procedures is undertaken .
Tracked EWPs (“ spider lifts ”)
Increasingly , spider lift EWPs are utilised in Australia and New Zealand . These machines have the capacity to ‘ walk ’ into the job site and be set up of steeper inclines up to 12 ° to 16 °. The average SWL of the baskets can be up to 200 kg but in many cases is much lower . These make it extremely difficult to perform a rescue as the machine can be immediately overloaded with just the rescuer and casualty . It would be recommended to utilise these machines with extreme caution as the loads and limits are not comparable to a rescue platform and thus have limited safety margins .
Wheeled EWPs
Wheeled EWPs are designed to be selfpropelled , often with a limited ability to move with the boom extended . Whilst common in some working environments , they are highly intolerant of gradients and disturbed ground , and are not often encountered on tree work sites .
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