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Technology &
Development Program
March 2004
2300 0423-2303–MTDC
T
rail maintenance and construction require moving trees to set blocks, lines, and other rigging equipment.
heavy objects (figure 1) in a variety of settings Skylines set high above the ground help move heavy
and conditions. With the use of rigging (a system objects over long distances and across uneven slope
of ropes, cables, and hoists), trail workers can safely and terrain. On any particular job, the qualified rigger
and efficiently move items. Trail workers climb spar and climber do not necessarily have to be the same
For additional information, contact: Bob Beckley, Project Leader; USDA Forest Service, MTDC; 5785 Hwy. 10 West; Missoula, MT
59808–9361. Phone: 406–329–3996; fax: 406–329–3719; e-mail: rbeckley@fs.fed.us 1
person, but workers need to be qualified for the tasks begun after safety reviews indicated that trail crews
they perform. had the highest accidental and chronic injury rate of all
field personnel (including firefighters) within the State.
Neither the Forest Service nor the U.S. Department of The listing of the spotted owl and marbled murrelet
the Interior, Bureau of Land Management offers com- as endangered species, combined with tougher
bined training in tree climbing and rigging. However, environmental laws, have increased the need for
the California Department of Parks and Recreation of- climbing and rigging skills.
fers a practical class that combines classroom instruc-
tion and “hands-on” experience through the William Advanced Climbing and Rigging is a specialized
Penn Mott Jr. Training Center at Pacific Grove, CA. course that provides technical training (figures 2a and
The State of California allows nonagency personnel to 2b) in climbing and rigging, including the use of as-
attend courses offered through the center, including sociated tools and equipment, with a strong emphasis
Advanced Climbing and Rigging. on safety. The course covers: climbing using spurs or
rope, Swedish ladders, arborist ascension methods,
The Missoula Technology and Development Center rigging sets, mechanical advantage, highleads and
was asked to locate sources of high-quality rigging direct pulls, grip hoist applications, and mechanized
training. The Advanced Climbing and Rigging course winch applications. In addition, information is provided
was the only regularly scheduled course we found
for personnel involved in trails maintenance and
restoration work. This tech tip’s two primary authors
attended the course in November 2001. This tech tip
provides a review of the course and information on
how Federal employees can attend. The course is
open to a limited number of Federal employees and is
offered every 2 years.
2
on setting bridge stringers and laying out skylines and Climbing Labs
haulback lines.
Rigging sets can be erected in a variety of ways, and
the corresponding climbing methods may be selected
by personal preference, impacts on the tree species,
or the equipment that is available. The week of field
Course Evaluation training includes labs focused on three climbing
methods: climbing with ropes, climbing with spurs or
Ian Barlow and Susan Jenkins are trails and wilderness gaffs, and climbing with Swedish ladders (figure 3).
specialists on the Nez Perce National Forest. Both had
experience with climbing and rigging. They felt that
Advanced Climbing and Rigging was the most chal-
lenging and best-taught class they had taken during
35 combined years with Federal and State agencies.
3
Rigging Labs
Spurs or Gaffs
4
Skylines
5
Additional References
The Riggers Bible (figure 7) by Robert P. Leach is a
good reference book on rigging. The book is sold by
the Leach family for $35 and can be ordered by calling
417-869-9236. Copies may also be found by searching
for used books on the Internet. While the Riggers
Bible is an excellent source of technical information,
individuals must make themselves aware of all current
safety rules and regulations. Your regional safety
officer may be able to help you find current rules and
regulations.
6
7
About the Author
Susan Jenkins began working for the Forest Service to develop a strong sense of what does and doesn’t
in 1994 and has spent most of her career working work in trail construction techniques. Fifteen years
on fire assignments and trail projects. She has been of teaching and continuing to learn from others has
instrumental in developing trail and watershed fostered Ian’s strong desire to work with others in
restoration projects that use dry stone masonry developing and improving trail construction techniques
techniques and rigging applications. She has that meet new demands on our trail systems.
helped conduct training sessions and built strong
partnerships across disciplines within agencies and Bob Beckley received a bachelor’s degree in politi-
with contractors, tribal organizations, and volunteers. cal science from the University of Montana in 1982.
He began his Forest Service career as a timber
Ian Barlow began working for horse outfitters in the technician on the Nez Perce National Forest. Bob
Canadian National Parks in 1973. He came to work in was a smokejumper when he came to the Missoula
trails and horse packing for the USDA Forest Service Technology and Development Center in 1990 to work
in 1979. Traveling on foot and horseback for more as the center’s public and governmental relations spe-
than 17,000 trail miles while working has allowed Ian cialist.
Library Card
Jenkins, Susan; Barlow, Ian; Beckley, Bob. 2003. Management nor the USDA Forest Service offers
Advanced tree climbing and rigging training for trail a combined class in climbing and rigging. Rigging,
workers. Tech Tip 0423-2303-MTDC. Missoula, MT: a system of ropes or cables and hoists, allows trail
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, workers to move heavy objects safely. The class in
Missoula Technology and Development Center. 8 p. advanced climbing and rigging is taught by the State
of California every 2 years and is open to a limited
Describes the advanced tree climbing and rigging number of employees from other agencies.
class taught at the California Department of Parks and
Recreation’s William Penn Mott Jr. Training Center at Keywords: high-lead systems, lifting, safety at work,
Pacific Grove, CA. Neither the USDI Bureau of Land skylines, tripods
Additional single copies of this document may be Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management
ordered from: employees can search a more complete collection
USDA Forest Service, MTDC of MTDC’s documents, videos, and CDs on their
5785 Hwy. 10 West internal computer network at:
Missoula, MT 59808–9361 http://fsweb.mtdc.wo.fs.fed.us/search
Phone: 406–329–3978
Fax: 406–329–3719 For additional information about this T&D project,
E-mail: wo_mtdc_pubs@fs.fed.us contact Bob Beckley at MTDC.
Phone: 406–329–3996
Electronic copies of MTDC’s documents are avail- Fax: 406–329–3719
able on the Internet at: E-mail: rbeckley@fs.fed.us
http://www.fs.fed.us/eng/t-d.php?link=pubs
The Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), has developed this information for the guidance of its employees, its contractors, and its cooperating Federal and State agencies, and
is not responsible for the interpretation or use of this information by anyone except its own employees. The use of trade, firm, or corporation names in this document is for the information and convenience of
the reader, and does not constitute an endorsement by the Department of any product or service to the exclusion of others that may be suitable.
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or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape,
etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250–9410, or call (202) 720-5964 (voice
and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.