While certain tv shows may make those in the logging industry or working with trees appear to be part of a glamorous lifestyle, the truth is it is an industry that requires the utmost care and safety. It also requires the right insurance coverage. Not sure if you have the right coverage options on your policy? Give our team a call at 860-684-5270 or send us a message here.

Tree Care Specialist Safety Tips

Getting rid of all the risks associated with a job is impossible. But you should do the best you can to reduce them. Treebuzz offers these important safety tips to avoid injuries when working with trees.

1. Wear Appropriate Protective Gear

It should go without saying, but the first and perhaps most important thing to take into consideration when working in the arboriculture industry is wearing appropriate protective gear. This includes, but is not limited to the following items:

•Helmets

•Gloves

•Hearing protection

•Safety glasses

•Fall and rescue harnesses

•Special clothing

•Footwear

It is essential that your equipment is up to par with the newest regulations in the industry.

2. Know Your Environment

Depending on your specialty and the magnitude of the job you have to complete, environmental conditions can differ tremendously. Not only is working with street trees different from those in parks, for example, but there’s also the weather factor that you need to consider at all times.

For those that don’t work in the field, what arborists really do is a mystery. But a certified pro knows how to handle all situations that might arise. Be aware of the condition you will be working within advance so that you can prepare for the process accordingly.

Furthermore, depending on the nature of the care activity you are sustaining, additional hazards might appear. You could also be working with chemicals, which means that an extra layer of precautions needs to be taken concerning gear and overall on-site demeanor. And this is just one example of many possible ones.

Any trimming or similar activity involving palm trees also constitutes a supplementary risk when it comes to this particular profession. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA for short, there have been quite a few cases of laborers from this field dying due to asphyxia caused by getting caught in between palm tree fronds.

The essential thing to be understood here is that different jobs pose different threats, and thus require different targeted precautions. Know what your specific needs are on any given occasion and make sure that they are met.

3. Use Proper Tools

There are quite a few must-have tools for arborists that make your job both easier and more secure. Depending on the type of tree and its specific characteristics, you will require either a chainsaw, a handsaw or both. A pruner is also up there on the list. And on top of that, operating heavy machinery such as cranes on the job might also be necessary.

You need to check that all the aforementioned equipment is up to par with safety and quality standards and regulations. This not only makes your activity legal, but it also diminishes any type of risk that might emerge on this front. Your site supervisor should oversee all aspects pertaining to maintenance, but it is your due diligence to provide for yourself.

One of the most dangerous tools on the job are wood chippers. Unfortunately, accidents involving such a device aren’t merely an exaggerated horror film trope. Quite a few service workers in this field either got injured or wound up losing their lives this way. Thus, if your activity involves one, you need to take extra precautions.

Your Safety is Important to Us

In addition to following all the necessary safety procedures, ensuring your commercial insurance covers every aspect of your business operations is crucial. Our commercial insurance experts are here to review your current coverage and make recommendations where there may be gaps. Don’t hesitate to give us a call today at 860-684-5270, we are happy to help.