Hazards and Solutions

Many hazards in the tree care industry are potentially fatal. Overhead power lines, falling branches, and faulty safety equipment are just a few of the dangers. The following references aid in recognizing some of the hazards that may be encountered by tree care professionals.

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Reports

• Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Program. Concentrates on investigations of fatal occupational injuries. The primary intent of this program is to provide interested users with access to the full text of hundreds of fatality investigation reports including the following:

Asphyxia

• Palm Tree Worker Suffocated by Palm Fronds – Another Death in California. NIOSH Science Blog, 2015.
• A Landscaper Dies from Asphyxia When Compressed by Palm Fronds . California FACE Report, 16CA007.
• Palm Tree Trimmer Dies from Asphyxia When Crushed by Palm Fronds. California FACE Report, 23CA001.
• Preventing Palm Tree Trimmer Fatalities. California FACE Digital Video Story.

Caught-in

• A 23-Year-Old Worker Pulled into a Wood Chipper on His First Day on the Job. New York FACE Report, 16NY024.
• A Laborer Dies When He is Pulled into a Tree Stump Grinder. California FACE Report, 18CA002.

Electrocution

• A Tree Trimmer is Electrocuted While Trimming a Palm Tree. California FACE Report, 18CA001.
• Tree Trimmer electrocuted and dies while trimming tree away from power lines. Kentucky FACE Report, 16KY013.
• Two Tree Trimmers Die When They Are Electrocuted While Pollinating Date Palm Trees. California FACE Report, 16CA003.

Falling

• Operator Falls from Boom Lift while Tree Trimming. Washington FACE Report, 21WA4248.

Struck-by

• Wildland Firefighter struck and fatally injured by hazard tree. Oregon FACE Report 22OR001.
• Farmer Pinned by Tree Limb When Tree Shifted While Limbing/Bucking Tree. Michigan FACE Report 18MI213.
• A Tree Feller Dies When Struck By a Tree Limb While Felling a Fire-Damaged Tree. California FACE Report 17CA004.
• Farm Laborer Pinned by Tree Branch Against His Tractor Seat. Michigan FACE Report 17MI136.
• Driver Crushed by Rollaway Woodchip Truck. Washington FACE Report 22WA5252.

Other

• A Date Palm Worker Dies After Being Stung by Bees. California FACE Report 17CA003.
• Land clearing and forest product company owner overcome by carbon monoxide in hopper of wood chip burning boiler. Massachusetts FACE Report 18MA022.

Common Shop Hazards and Tree Care Considerations

• Slipping hazards present from oils or solvents on the floor. [29 CFR 1910.22]
• Fire hazards in shop areas. [29 CFR 1910.106], [29 CFR 1910.157]
• Adequate fire extinguishers [29 CFR 1910.157] and first aid kits [29 CFR 1910.151] in the shop. It is recommended that consideration be taken to also include extinguishers in work vehicles as appropriate.
• Emergency response plans. [29 CFR 1910.38]
• Hazard Communication Issues – the need to identify all hazardous substances within the shop area (carbon monoxide, welding fume, wood dust, metal dust, solvents, fertilizers) and develop a program that addresses MSDSs, labeling, and employee training. [29 CFR 1910.1200]
• If corrosive chemicals are used, emergency eyewashes and showers are required. [29 CFR 1910.151]
• Stairways need railings if more than 4 stairs - differences in "open" and "closed" stairs are clarified in. [29 CFR 1910.24]
• All safety guards must be in place and operational on all shop tools. [29 CFR 1910 Subpart O]
• Lockout/tagout program requirements. [29 CFR 1910.147]
• Compressed air used for cleaning purposes must be reduced to less than 30 p.s.i. and then only with effective chip guarding and personal protective equipment. [29 CFR 1910.242(b)], [Hazard Information Bulletin]
• When the periphery of the blades of a fan is less than seven feet above the floor or working level, the blades shall be guarded. [29 CFR 1910.212(a)(5)]
• Storage issues with Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) containers. [29 CFR 1910.110]
• Workrests and tongue guards of grinders should be properly adjusted. [29 CFR 1910.215]

Additional Resources

• Tree Care Work: Falls and Falling Object Hazards (EPUB | MOBI). Also available in Spanish (EPUB | MOBI).
• Hazards of Wood Chippers. OSHA Safety and Health Information Bulletin (SHIB), (April 16, 2008).
• Hazard ID 8 - Injury Associated with Working Near or Operating Wood Chippers. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 99-145, (August 1999). Contains detailed descriptions of hazards associated with wood chippers and recommendations for prevention.
• Prevention of Slips, Trips, and Falls. Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS). This document is provided by the Inquiries Service at CCOHS, whose mandate is to promote improvements in occupational health and safety by providing practical information to answer workplace concerns.