FACTS

Common tree maintenance hazards for workers.

1. Being Struck. Falling tree branches and other debris are the most common source of injury for tree trimmers.
2. Falls. Working on tall trees means working at great heights. Although harnesses and other safety equipment should be used, accidents still happen.
3. Electrocution. Trees are often situated near overhead power lines. Tree trimmers may encounter these wires while working.
4. Impact Injuries. Tree trimmers use heavy equipment to access their work. A worker could become stuck against a branch or pinned against a building.
5. Lacerations and Amputations. Sharp saws and heavy-duty chippers come with obvious dangers for those who mishandle them. Workers must use caution with sharp and powerful tools, such as chainsaws and chippers.
6. Animal or Insect Attacks. Many creatures make their homes in trees, including squirrels, raccoons, and chipmunks. Trees can also provide a space for hornets’ nests, beehives, and ant colonies.
7. Heat-Related Injuries. On sweltering summer days, or any day when temperatures rise and the sun beats down, workers should drink plenty of water and make time for breaks.
8. Ergonomic Issues. Jobs that involve employees working with their hands can present ergonomic issues. Tree trimmers work with their entire bodies by climbing, reaching, pulling, lifting, and carrying objects.
9. Hearing Loss. Chainsaws and chippers are loud. Workers should be provided with adequate hearing protection while using such loud equipment.
10. Scrapes, Splinters, and Skin Reactions. Tree trimmers may encounter tree bark or jagged wood pieces that cause injuries. Scrapes and splinters they should be treated before they become infected.

STATS

• An estimated 648,100 individuals (95% confidence interval: 535,500-760,700) were treated in US hospital emergency departments for trimming- and pruning-related injuries during the 18-year study period.
• Lacerations and puncture injuries occurred most often (71.0%), and injuries to the arms and hands accounted for 67.8% of cases. A majority (56.8%) of injuries involved the use of a power tool. The most common project at the time of injury was hedge/shrub trimming (66.5%), followed by grass/lawn trimming (24.3%) and tree trimming (9.1%). Patients required hospitalization in 2.1% of cases.
• NIOSH identified 181 work-related deaths among workers involved in tree trimming and cutting. These fatalities represent the minimum number of workers who actually died. The two leading causes of death were electrocution (38%) and falling (29%).
• Each year, more than 23,000 tree maintenance professionals are treated for chainsaw accidents, approximately 80 of which are fatal.