By Chad Engle, Loss Prevention and Safety Specialist
With the slowdown in road projects and maintenance brought on by winter, many counties shift work to removing and trimming troublesome trees in their rights-of-way. Tree trimming can be a dangerous combination of frozen, uneven surfaces, elevated working areas and running chainsaws. As a result, NIRMA adjusters normally see injuries related to tree removal such as eye injuries, head injuries, serious cuts, slip/trip and falls and even liability claims from falling trees damaging the property of others. When compared to other road department projects, tree trimming results in more injuries than most. The Centers for Disease Control advise that approximately 36,000 injuries each year are related to chainsaw operation.
If you are reading this, you are employed by a “member” county or agency of NIRMA. NIRMA is not an insurance company, we are a risk management pool created for and by our members. Risk management is part of our name. We exist to help our members reduce the risk of loss to member county employees and equipment.
To reduce the risk of chainsaw related incidents we start by ensuring that any employee tasked with operating a chainsaw has been trained on the proper way to do so and has demonstrated this ability to his or her supervisor. From the owner’s manual to online videos, there are multiple training options. An employee should not be allowed to operate any piece of equipment, especially a gas-powered saw, without training and demonstrating proficiency.
Our employees now have the knowledge and skills to safely run the tool required for the job, do they have all the personal protective equipment (PPE) needed to do so? This should include, but is not limited to, safety toe boots, long pants and chainsaw chaps, gloves, helmet, hearing protection, safety glasses and a face shield. Employees shall also be trained on how to properly use and care for all the required PPE. An important part of PPE training should include the county or agency’s policy that dictates when the PPE will be worn. PPE is not optional; we cannot simply provide it for their use and hope that they do so.
Employees will follow whatever county or agency culture dictates. If they see others not using PPE, and there are not negative repercussions, there is a good chance they will not use them either. To ensure all employees follow PPE policy the culture needs to instill upon them the importance of using PPE and that failure to do so will lead to progressive disciplinary action. Progressive discipline is never fun, but it is important to educate employees who choose not to follow policy that it is not allowed and will not be tolerated. This is truly for their own good. I would much rather have a discussion with an employee about using their PPE than deliver the message that they were seriously injured or killed to their family.
Employees are now trained and understand what is expected of them regarding PPE use, our next step is to set the parameters that outline how they will remove trees. Are they able to stop work if a particular area is unsafe? If the area around the trees to be removed is steep and icy are they allowed to come back when conditions permit? Are the employees provided the proper equipment? I am referring to personnel lifts or boom trucks so that they can safely reach the upper sections of the trees. If a county or agency does not have the proper equipment to safely reach the branches or if the tree is too large, I would urge you to hire a professional tree service, the risk is simply not worth it.
Here is the cool thing, this process of training, providing the necessary safety equipment and creating a culture that supports doing the right thing works for every task, not just tree trimming. Tree trimming just happens to be what most highway departments are working on this time of year. If your crew could use some training, I can be reached at 800.642.6671 or chad@nirma.info. Given the spike in COVID positivity, I would recommend that we put together something that can be delivered via Zoom or video. Take care and stay healthy.
