Too many serious injuries and deaths annually are caused by inexperienced persons trying to do their own tree pruning. In most cases, the individual was trying to work off the ground on a ladder or was climbing into a large mature tree.
The other injuries were usually due to the improper use of tools and equipment. Even dull loppers and saws, especially chainsaws, can inflict potentially lethal injuries.
One of the most unusual injuries recorded was due to a homeowner cutting a branch off a main limb. The branch had grown pressing against another limb, building up latent energy waiting to be released.
When cut at the base, it suddenly straightened out, penetrating into the pruner’s eye socket. Fortunately, the eye was pushed aside and was able to be saved, but the site of the limb sticking out of the socket would convince even the most daring of “Do It Yourselfers” that proper procedures and appropriate safety equipment are essential when pruning trees.
To reduce the possibility of injury the following guideline should be followed.
First and foremost, never leave the ground unless using a safety harness securely tied to the tree and only after training as a rope climber. In short this means “Keep your feet on the ground.”
Serious injuries, even resulting in paralysis, may occur when amateurs fall off ladders while trimming trees. If the tree is too large to reach the limbs with a pole saw, hire a professionally trained and certified arborist, who is properly insured with both liability and workman’s compensation insurance.
Second, use the proper tools, and know how to use them correctly. They are designed to cut wood, so human flesh is very susceptible to severe lacerations.
Use the proper safety equipment. Eye protection is essential. Gloves can reduce scrapes and cuts from hand tools and thorns. Long sleeves and gloves can also help protect against poison ivy. Proper shoes, ideally with metal toe protection, are also appropriate. Hard hats can protect against head injury.
Stand back and use a pole saw to extend your reach so the limbs will fall safely. Never cut above head height (with or without a hard hat).
Prior to beginning any pruning, check to see if there are any energized electrical lines near, or in contact with, the tree. If the limb is touching the utility line there is a high probability the tree can become energized.
When making contact with the energized tree, the trimmer can become a new “path to ground” for the electricity and may be seriously injured or killed. OSHA (“Occupational Health and Safety”) requirements forbid tree workers, unless they are a “Certified Line Clearance Tree Trimmer”, from working in any tree closer than ten feet to an energized utility, or if any part of their body or tools would break into the ten-foot separation barrier.
Finally, when using chain saws, all PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) is essential. Professional tree care personnel, trained in the use of these potentially dangerous saws, are required to use protective leg chaps, hearing protection, safety goggles, work boots and hard hats.
If the experts need them, amateurs certainly do! Although design improvements of modern saw chains have helped minimize the chance of “Kick Back” it can still occur. Training in the proper and safe use of such power equipment is critical.
If it can take off a tree limb, it can easily remove human limbs too. Remember, have fun pruning, but “keep it safe.”
Ed Duke, PhD is Associate Professor in the FAMU College of Agriculture and Food Sciences) and Sam Hand is Associate Professor and Director of Industry Credentialing Training Programs, FAMU Cooperative Extension.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Avoid dangerous injuries with these safe tree-trimming rules for homeowners
Reporting by Ed Duke and Sam Hand / Tallahassee Democrat
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