In article , John
Cairns wrote:

"Peter Wiley" wrote in message
. ..

Climbing up a tree as high as you can get using an aluminium ladder,
because said tree sat back on the chainsaw bar, so you know there's not
a lot holding it up, to put a steel sling around the trunk as high up
as possible, so as to winch it over the direction it was *meant* to
fall. And it's windy. And there's a 415V 3 phase power line in the
direction it *wants* to fall. And last year you spent 2 weeks in
hospital being operated on numerous times after falling when a ladder
slipped.....

I've quit felling trees for the year. Especially near powerlines.

PDW

Management has mentioned on more than one occasion the possibility that we
might have to use fall arresting gear when climbing more than 6' high.

Not a bad idea in general; we insist on it when working aloft on
commercial ships for example. However, dubious benefit IMO attaching
yourself to something that's going to fall over soon, you're just not
sure quite when or in which direction. My judgement error in cutting
it, my responsibility to deal with the consequences. I was going to try
jumping clear if neccesary and hope I didn't break the same bones as
last time.

Stupidity has its price. That time I got away with it but it was the
most scary thing I've done for a few years.

PDW