The pruning/arboricultural sector/Work at height

Pruning is probably the high-altitude profession that puts the most strain on its equipment. An arborist spends their day climbing, moving laterally in a tree, cutting in uncomfortable positions, descending, and re-ascending. Their PPE is subjected to stresses that few other trades impose on their equipment: contact with bark, resin, dead branches, rain, and sweat. And all this at heights where a fall is rarely without serious consequences. Needless to say, the quality of the equipment is non-negotiable.

The regulations applicable to professional pruning are those for working at height in general, but with specific characteristics. A climbing arborist does not work on scaffolding or a platform: they often work in suspension, which means that their PPE must meet different standards from those of a roofer or cladder. The harness must be designed for prolonged sitting, the lanyards must allow for lateral movement, and the carabiners must function with thick gloves and in all positions.

At SASSI, we have been manufacturing fall protection PPE and leather accessories for height professionals for decades. Pruning and arboriculture are two sectors we know well, not because we invented specific products for them, but because we responded to the precise demands of arborists who explained to us what their standard equipment was not doing correctly. And we adapted.

In practice, professional tree climbers generally use a system combining EN 361 (fall arrest harness) and EN 813 (sit harness) to provide both fall protection and comfort in a suspended working position. This is not the same as a basic construction site harness, even if it looks similar.

The double lanyard: why it's essential in the tree

A tree climber moving in the tree can never be unprotected, but they must be able to move. A single lanyard does not allow for this: if you detach the lanyard to go around a main branch, you are unprotected during the maneuver. This is unacceptable at 15 meters.

The double lanyard solves this problem: two independent branches ensure that at least one connection to the tree is always maintained during movement. You attach the second, then unhook the first. You are never untethered. This is the principle of "double attachment" movement, which is now the state of the art in professional tree climbing.

For tree climbing lanyards, we recommend lanyards with an energy absorber (EN 355). In the event of an uncontrolled fall (which can happen even with perfect technique, if a branch breaks), the absorber reduces the impact transmitted to the operator's body. Without an absorber, the arrest force can exceed the 6 kN of the EN 361 standard and cause internal injuries even if the harness holds.

Carabiners in tree climbing: specific requirements

Carabiners used in tree climbing must comply with EN 362: minimum breaking strength of 20 kN on the major axis (main opening axis). But there are additional important criteria specifically for tree climbing: the gate opening size (large enough to fit around a medium-diameter branch), the locking system (ideally double-action or trilock, to prevent accidental opening on branches), and corrosion resistance (humidity, resins, and sap are corrosive).

We recommend wide-gate carabiners (gate width ≥ 18 mm) for anchoring to branches, and HMS carabiners (pear shape) for connections to the harness that can benefit from rope rotation. For fixed connections between lanyard and harness, a D-type carabiner with screw lock or trilock is more stable.

The leather tool holder for the arborist: a matter of safety as much as comfort

We don't always think about tool holders when talking about safety in tree climbing. And yet, a poorly secured tool falling from a height of 15 meters is a serious accident, for the arborist themselves if they are underneath, and for anyone on the ground within the perimeter. Work areas must obviously be marked, but this is not enough if tools are not properly retained.

We manufacture tool holders for arborists with an integrated retention system: a strap attached to the tool and to the belt or harness, which ensures that if the tool falls from the tool holder, it does not fall far. For light tools (pruning shears, knives), a wrist strap is sufficient. For heavier tools (loppers, small saws), the attachment is sized accordingly.

Maintenance of tree climbing PPE: a regulatory obligation

Class III PPE (including fall arrest harnesses) are subject to regulatory maintenance and inspection obligations. Specifically, this means: visual inspection before each use (seams, webbing, buckles, attachment points), annual inspection by a competent person, and systematic disposal after any fall impact or at the manufacturer's expiration date (generally 10 years from the date of manufacture, but some manufacturers indicate shorter periods).

The leather used in our arborist accessories is treated to resist moisture. An arborist works in overcast weather, in trees wet with dew or rain. But like all leather, it needs periodic maintenance: light greasing every 6 months, drying in a sheltered place after wet use, and inspection of seams and fastenings before each season.

Ordering for a tree climbing team

We work with tree climbing companies that want to equip or re-equip their teams. The advantage of a bulk order is twofold: homogeneous equipment that facilitates training and inspections, and a price adapted to the volume. We also offer orders with marking (operator identification on the belt, for example) which simplifies PPE management in a company with several rotating teams.

For independent arborists, we can also configure a complete custom PPE system: harness adapted to morphology, lanyard configured for the dominant type of work, tool holders organized according to habits. A one-hour discussion is usually enough to get a clear picture of what we will manufacture.

Frequently asked questions: tree climbing & work at height

What is the difference between an EN 361 and EN 813 harness for tree climbing?EN 361 is the complete fall arrest harness (protection against free fall). EN 813 is the sit harness for positioning. In professional tree climbing, the two are often combined into a single piece of equipment.

Is a leather tool holder suitable for working in trees?Yes, leather is highly resistant to resins, bark, and moisture. We manufacture tool holders with integrated fall protection, essential at height.

Can a complete PPE system be configured for a team of arborists?Yes. We offer complete configurations (harness + lanyards + carabiners + belt + tool holders), adapted to each morphology, in bulk orders.

Are you looking for reliable PPE for your tree climbing or work-at-height activity? Contact the SASSI France workshop. We manufacture in Paris, we deliver quickly, we know the standards.