Safety hazards common to pruning. Objective To help workers recognize, prepare for, and prevent...

Safety hazards common to pruning

Objective

• To help workers recognize, prepare for, and prevent hazards common to pruning

SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.

Background

• Pruning accidents happen by the hundreds each year

• According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 27,000 people were hospitalized from pruning injuries during 2006


Most common injuries

• Falls from heights

• Animals/insects

• Dangerous equipment injuries

• Strains/sprains from awkward positions

• Lacerations

• Injuries from falling objects


Never let your guard down

• Branches can fly back and damage the eye, face or head

• Deep scratches can occur if gloves aren't worn


Equipment and their hazards

• Pole shears, power shears, pole saws, hand saws, loppers, and manual and electric hedge trimmers

• Sharp edges and pinch points

• Some have electrical hazards


Pre-pruning preparation

• Inspect the work area

• Identify power lines, communication lines, lighting, and other things that might be hanging in the tree (like bee hives)


Pre-pruning preparation

• Inspect pruning tools

• Functioning properly?

• All moveable joints lubricated?

• Blades sharpened adequately?

• Workers are most susceptible to injuries when using tools with dull blades

• For electric equipment, inspect the electrical cord and plug for defects



Personal Protective Equipment• Safety glasses

• Fitted abrasion-resistant gloves

• Hard hat, especially for employees working below

• Long-sleeved shirt and pants

• Hearing protection if operating power equipment


Personal Protective Equipment• Work boots that lace up above

the ankle and have good tread

• Reflective vest if working near a roadway

• Appropriate dress for weather

• Light-colored, thin clothing for hot days

• Warm layers for cold or wet days


Personal Protective Equipment• For all outdoor work, adequate

sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat provides protection against the sun’s harmful rays


Pruning safety precautions

• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment

• Safety glasses with side shields, hard hat, gloves, long-sleeved shirt, long pants, boots, sunscreen



• Never prune trees or branches within 10 feet of power lines

• Contact local utility to secure appropriately qualified tree trimming services

• Maintain a safe working distance from other people when using pruning tools or equipment



• Do not attempt to cut branches bigger than the pruning tool was designed to cut

• Never over-reach while pruning

• Avoid getting into a routine or moving too fast when pruning

• May become “blind” to surroundings and unintentionally cut other hand



• Before making a cut, always make sure the ground below the branch is clear

• Prior to dropping a branch, give an audible warning (“timber”)

• Take frequent breaks when performing repetitive tasks

• Do not overtire yourself



• Never use electric pruning tools or equipment when it is raining or in wet conditions

• Always store or sheath hand tools properly

• Always carry pruning tools with the sharp end pointed down



• Always use both hands when operating power equipment

• Pole shears and hedge trimmers


If using a ladder for pruning

• Always set ladder on solid, level surface

• Keep ladder free of oil, grease, dirt or mud that could make rungs slippery

• Open A-frame stepladders with spreaders locked



• Never step above the top two rungs of a stepladder

• Never stand on a rung or step and face away from the ladder

• Always mount ladders from the center and climb/descend the ladder using both hands



• Do not purposefully drop pruning tools from ladders

• Do not over-reach while on a ladder

• Climb down and move the ladder over

• Never carry equipment while climbing up or down a ladder

• Either have another worker hand you the tools or use a rope (never by the power cord) to raise and lower tools


General safety for pruning

• Use proper lifting techniques

• Avoid awkward postures

• Drink plenty of liquids to prevent heat exhaustion and dehydration


General safety for pruning

• Before making a cut, always know the location of your hands and fingers

• Take short, frequent breaks from repetitive tasks and stretch before, during and after work

• Particularly important when using hand pruners

Review

• Inspect the area before beginning work

• Always wear required Personal Protective Equipment

• Use ladder safely

• Properly maintain equipment

• Always make sure the area below you is clear


Safety hazards common to pruning. Objective To help workers recognize, prepare for, and prevent...

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