Safety Measures That Tree Service Professionals Practice in Putnam County, NY
While keeping your trees healthy and attractive is important, resist the temptation to do it yourself. If you can’t keep your feet on the ground to take care of your tree, the job requires the services of the experts. Here are important safety measures that tree service professionals practice in Putnam County, NY.
Tree care can be dangerous to those doing the cutting and those on the ground. Risks include falling from tall heights; electrocution; being hit by falling tree branches or felled trees; injuries from chainsaws, chippers, and other equipment; insect stings or wildlife bites; as well as exposure to pesticides and other tree care chemicals. This is why safety measures are a priority for tree service professionals, and proper training, equipment, and protection are all part of the job.
Safety First
Common accidents related to tree care are falls from heights, being struck by falling tree limbs/trees, and electrocution. To minimize these situations, tree workers:
Receive special training to identify and avoid hazards, including power lines, weakened or partially broken branches, and unstable storm-weakened trees.
Properly and rigorously use safety equipment including helmets, climbing belts, and harnesses.
Establish a safe zone that must not be entered by anyone other than the tree care professional for the duration of the work and until all debris is removed. This zone is extended in windy conditions or in cases of storm damage when other debris can cause an unsafe situation.
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Understand how tree limbs or trees themselves fall when cut, and take measures to prevent limbs or trees from falling onto homes or other structures and property, parked cars, fences, or other trees.
Know safe operating procedures, as well as the capabilities and limitations of their equipment and machinery, including cables and braces used to support aging or injured trees, chainsaws, pruning shears, cherry pickers, or chippers. They also keep equipment and machinery in excellent working condition.
Understand that unexpected hazards do exist, regardless of the tree expert’s skill and experience.
Fully understand proper routine tree care, as well as pruning procedures both for tree shaping and tree health.
Assess storm-related damage and apply the best practices for restoring storm-damaged trees (unless the tree warrants removal), as well as safety.
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Note that if a tree that requires pruning is anywhere in the vicinity of above-ground or underground utilities—especially electric lines—it requires special consideration. Generally, utility companies advise that neither homeowners nor professional tree services do any pruning or tree cutting within 10 feet of electrical lines, as the utility company’s own arborists will do the job (usually at no cost to the homeowner).
Trusting your trees to a certified tree care professional is your safest bet. This way, you can be sure that your trees are cared for properly, and that the safety of people, pets, and property is a top consideration. Your landscape contractor can be relied upon to keep an eye on your trees, if you request tree service, to note when pruning is necessary, to detect disease, and to step in if there is a need to cut down a tree because of safety concerns or because a landscape remodel requires it.