The evolutionary illustration of human kind begins with apes evolving through many stages of hominid to the proud upright specimen we are today, called Homo sapiens - modern man. But evolution doesn't stop still, and in the case of many time served tree workers, the next postural stage is hardly a proud upright walker of the plains; to the trained eye, the typical tree worker stoop resembles 'Quasemodo' - we seem to be regressing!

Joking aside, there is a serious and important message behind this illustration - the more we undertake inefficient and repetitive tasks, the more likely we are to suffer various types of physical degeneration. From our experience over the past three years, this is especially true of tree workers, and such inefficiency may cause serious degeneration of the body.

Modern man isn't designed to resemble Quasemodo. Such deformation results in pain and disability.

Just as experienced and learned arborists can visually determine a tree's bio-mechanical defects, by the way that it grows, so a remedial fitness trainer can effectively read human bio-mechanical defects. Only their diagnosis of our defects are more accurate; we can communicate our pain back to a practitioner, as they prod a problem area and ask specific questions. When it comes to accepting arborist MSDs (Muscular-Skeletal Disorders), if you rate your tree defect diagnosis, it follows you should value the considered opinion of an experienced and qualified remedial trainer. Although specific research in this area would be interesting, it would first take many years of collating and qualifying evidence, leading to a similar issue as proving the effects of global warming; by the time it is proved that the way we do things are contributing to the problem, it is too late. Would you like to improve your 'safe useful life expectancy' as a climbing arborist, before you find yourself partially disabled in early middle age?

Some think it is best to avoid injuries from tree climbing, chainsaw use and heavy lifting by implementing specialised machinery. This has some merit, but is nave and limited as a solution; in many situations, machine use presents as many ergonomic, safety and practicability issues as they may solve. The buck stops with competent manpower; knowledgable, able, trained and experienced.

The inherent extreme risks of tree work (minimal safety factors), highly technical nature of working safely at height, and the required knowledge of tree characteristics, indicates our industry requires a highly focused, skilled, experienced and mature workforce. The approach of throwing ignorant but talented young men at trees, is neither legally or morally acceptable. The result has been perpetual staff replacement through chronic fatigue, injury and disenchantment after a few years. Just as suitable experience is gained, we lose our work force, stuck in the cycle of diminishing returns. Yet everyone complains about high insurance premiums and legislation resulting from accidents at height (?). Once found, we must keep hold of a highly trained, focused and motivated work force. Professional tree work requires true professional attitudes and individuals.

The good news, is that with personal commitment and effective guidance, an early middle age of pain and disability can be avoided. The bad news for those that believe any problem can be fixed with minimal effort and enough cash, is that MSDs cannot. The best way to enjoy a career of tree work, and avoid the physical, physiological and psychological pitfalls, is through intelligent and efficient effort. This is best attained through anatomical equipment, ergonomic techniques, and physical training. The worst approach, is refusal to accept the potential damage that traditional arborist techniques can cause.

Ignorance is certainly not bliss.

So, why don't we realise that we have problems, or feel pain, if it is almost inevitable? The answer is that many of us have aches and pains that we, or fitness professionals, don't associate with daily tasks of tree work. Or we have postural problems inherited or gained elsewhere, that do not currently register as pain. It doesn't really matter what first caused a problem, the question should be "Will tree work make it worse?" The best way to answer this, is to locate a remedial trainer; it is essential that they understand the actions involved with daily tree work. This is unlikely, and you may well have to pay for them to observe you undertake your routine work operations (1 hours work). If they do not wish to, or do not show an interest in your occupation, take your services to someone that will. Otherwise, expect to pay for perpetual rehabilitation. Typical arborist MSDs are correctable, but not overnight; several years of inefficient technique in tree work, may well cause MSDs that take as many months to correct properly. Perfecting exercises and developing a rehabilitative/preventative programme is a continuous commitment to professional tree work; if it isn't implemented, the pain or dysfunction will continually re-occur.

It should now become clear that, as with trees and every other successful organism, efficiency is key to success. It is time to put into practice that which has been learned and accepted from nature, into our daily routines; think about the sacrifices being made to your future health, in an attempt to save or make money through poor techniques and equipment. We are all aware of the need for safety, but it seems health implications are being overlooked, or deliberately ignored.

Cash is no consolation.

It is down to each individual, to understand all of the risks, costs and benefits of being involved with the toils and triumphs of daily tree work, and prepare appropriately. There are techniques and equipment currently available, that can help the goal of safety and efficiency be realised in the everyday work place. And for those with symptoms of MSDs through tree work, there are specific arborist rehabilitation and correction strategies, and a competitive way forward for efficient tree work. There must be, because we ourselves are living it.

Repetitive actions in specialised work are unavoidable. Better then, to concentrate on preventing the need for rehabilitation, via the implementation of:

1. Efficient and ergonomic techniques and anatomically designed equipment.
2. Rotating specific, repetitive duties between operators
3. Personal training programmes to prevent arborist MSDs.
4. A monitoring strategy for the onset of MSDs
5. Appropriate rehabilitation techniques to correct MSDs at an early stage(Back to 1)

Through this knowledge and vision, we hope to contribute to a more complete sense of self actualisation, and eventual professional recognition, for all climbing arborists. Without the professional climbing arborist, urban tree management is a pointless, faceless and academic exercise. As with other extreme activities, it is down to each and every individual to take responsibility for their own actions. That starts with the progressive mindset of each individual, questioning and educating themselves and informing their own client base.

On the evolutionary scale, 'Modern Man' has yet to achieve 'Modern Arborist'.