APS Qualified Tree Care Workers

APS employs qualified tree care workers and professional arborists who follow best management practices for pruning and removing trees (qualifications include ISA Certified Tree Workers, ISA Certified Arborists, and ISA Utility Specialists along with on going training provided in support of these credentials).

The Forestry work force is required to follow all safety rules and regulations by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and the ANSI (American National Standard) standard practices for Tree Care Operations and Safety Requirements.

APS Forestry Department Utility Line Clearance Arborist Apprentice Program
APS has an established state certified Apprentice Tree Worker/Arborist program. This program involves rigorous training guidelines while offering excellent development and advancement opportunities.

A line clearance arborist apprentice starts on the ground by learning the job procedures, proper job-site set up, and proper use of equipment. As experience and proficiencies expand so does their training. Training includes becoming skilled with ropes and knot tying, climbing systems, aerial lift operations, tree identification, tree biology and green industry approved tree maintenance practices. This includes following the American National Standards Institute Best Management Practices for Utility Pruning of Trees, Integrated Vegetation Management, and Tree, Shrub, and Other Woody Plant Maintenance – Standard Practices (Pruning).

Working around electrical conductors requires that safety be kept at the forefront. A line clearance arborist will be able to identify work-site hazards, tree hazards, and electrical hardware and equipment. Safety procedures include compliance with all OSHA rules and regulations and following ANSI Z133 Safety Requirements for Arboriculture Operations. Once an apprentice attains a minimum of 4000 training hours and meets all of the program requirements they will have a complete working knowledge of arboriculture and utility line clearance and will have achieved the status of Journeyman Tree Worker.

APS has received the Tree Line USA Award from the National Arbor Day Foundation (www.arborday.org) for our vegetation management practices annually since 1997.

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