Tree Work Safety, Hazards, Procedures, Checklist and Manual

Tree Work Safety Hazards

Tree work includes some of the most dangerous activities among the service industry. Not only are workers exposed to dangerous equipment and tools, but they are also exposed to extremely hazardous environments. Here is a list of notable tree work safety hazards:

1. Struck by incidents from falling objects
2. Cuts and abrasions from limbs, tools, and equipment
3. Electrical hazards from overhead powerlines
4. Fall hazards from aerial lifts and other lift equipment
5. Attack by dangerous insects, rodents, snakes and other wildlife

 

Tree Work Safety Procedures

Tree work safety procedures enable workers to perform their duties safely and efficiently. Here are some you might consider adopting for your tree work business:

1. Inspect all PPE, vehicles, tools, and equipment prior to work each day
2. Tag or destroy and replace all items found to be defective
3. Perform a daily or per project inspection to identify hazards for mitigation
4. Establish drop or danger "zones" with warning tape that restrict the movement of employees and pedestrians into or across hazardous areas
5. Ensure that the site, all tools, equipment, and vehicles are inspected, tagged, and removed if applicable at the end of the day so they are not used the following day.

 

Tree Work Safety Checklist

A tree work safety checklist can aid in the identification of hazards that may harm employees. Here is a good one published by Cal/OSHA.

 

Tree Service Safety Manual

If you need to comply with OSHA, your insurance company, or anyone else that requires your safety documentation, our tree service safety manual is the holistic approach to compliance. This document will have most if not everything you need in order to satisfy the various entities who may be asking for your safety manual, program, etc.