A new hazard bulletin - published from the US-American Occupational Safety &
Health Administration (OSHA) - details two fatal tree care incidents, one
caused by a fall and the other by a falling object. In the first, OSHA's
investigation found that his employer should have prevented him from being in
the tree trimming area or "drop zone." In the other, a worker fell 65 feet when
the trunk of the tree he was working on snapped in half. OSHA determined that
the employer could have prevented this incident by performing a preliminary
examination of the tree before starting work.

The bulletin also lists safety precautions for employers to use before they
begin any tree care operations, which include:

• Assess the worksite for fall and falling object hazards


• Have a qualified arborist survey the worksite


• Determine if workers will need to climb or use aerial lifts


• Establish drop zones where there is a hazard of falling objects


• Take steps to protect workers from falling object hazards


• Establish visual and audible communications with overhead and ground workers


• Have emergency procedures in place

More info:

AplusA-online.de - Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration