benjo75
ArboristSite Guru
I didn't want to hijack Jeff's thread. I can't seem to keep people out of my work zone either. A lot of times there's just two of us on the job. Me in the tree and the tractor loading brush. I specifically tell everyone during the estimate that absolutely no one is allowed within 200 ft of me, my crew, my equipment and the work zone at any time during the job. I also tell them again when we show up before starting the job. I set up cones and sometimes caution tape. Mainly for theirs and our safety. But every time I shut off a saw or truck, that's their cue to run over and start talking. Usually about something stupid. I tell them again that we all wear hearing protection and can't hear them. Plus I tell them again they're within 200 ft and if I have to tell them again, we're going to shut the job down and charge them $200 hour until they leave us alone and allow us to work safely.
Now this is the 4th time I have told them. But they keep coming. I've had them go under caution tape. I've had them move my cones and drive right under me. They will stand there with their hand on the fender of the bucket truck while I'm around wires. Until I see them. Then they get to see me throw a fit. They start hollering wanting a limb cut that us not on the estimate. I have even had one guy take the rope and try to get a wrap on the tree brake and tell me to make the cut. This was while the tractor was on the opposite side of the house loading and I was in the bucket waiting. I look down and there he is. So I have to come down, get out and give him a chewing . Doesn't even phase him ten minutes later he's back again. They have moved cones and ran over ropes. My crew has strict orders to run anyone off that's within 200 ft. But like me they're working too and sometimes don't see them until they're already on us. Evidently electric wheel chairs are exempt from cones and tape. Along with bicycles and any undesirables who happen to be strolling by.
Is there any way to keep people out of the work zone short of physically dragging them out? Do I hire an extra person to do nothing but keep people out and add it on to their bill? I run a small crew to keep costs down plus I can't find anyone who's worth having on my crew anyway. So everyone there is running 100% capacity and doesn't have time to herd cattle. When I have to come all the way down to tell someone something they have been told a half a dozen times I tend to get a little short. Rant over. Any advice? Thanks.
Now this is the 4th time I have told them. But they keep coming. I've had them go under caution tape. I've had them move my cones and drive right under me. They will stand there with their hand on the fender of the bucket truck while I'm around wires. Until I see them. Then they get to see me throw a fit. They start hollering wanting a limb cut that us not on the estimate. I have even had one guy take the rope and try to get a wrap on the tree brake and tell me to make the cut. This was while the tractor was on the opposite side of the house loading and I was in the bucket waiting. I look down and there he is. So I have to come down, get out and give him a chewing . Doesn't even phase him ten minutes later he's back again. They have moved cones and ran over ropes. My crew has strict orders to run anyone off that's within 200 ft. But like me they're working too and sometimes don't see them until they're already on us. Evidently electric wheel chairs are exempt from cones and tape. Along with bicycles and any undesirables who happen to be strolling by.
Is there any way to keep people out of the work zone short of physically dragging them out? Do I hire an extra person to do nothing but keep people out and add it on to their bill? I run a small crew to keep costs down plus I can't find anyone who's worth having on my crew anyway. So everyone there is running 100% capacity and doesn't have time to herd cattle. When I have to come all the way down to tell someone something they have been told a half a dozen times I tend to get a little short. Rant over. Any advice? Thanks.