1. Safety hazards common to pruning
PRUNING SAFETY
Safety hazards common to pruning
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

2. Objective
To help workers recognize, prepare for, and prevent hazards common to pruning
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

3. 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
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

4. Most common injuries Falls from heights Animals/insects
Dangerous equipment injuries
Strains/sprains from awkward positions
Lacerations
Injuries from falling objects
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

5. 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
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

6. 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
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

7. 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)
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

8. 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
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

9. 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
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

10. 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
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

11. Personal Protective Equipment
For all outdoor work, adequate sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat provides protection against the sun’s harmful rays
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

12. Pruning safety precautions
Wear appropriate personal protective equipment
Safety glasses with side shields, hard hat, gloves, long-sleeved shirt, long pants, boots, sunscreen
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

13. Pruning safety precautions
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
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

14. Pruning safety precautions
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
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

15. Pruning safety precautions
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
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

16. Pruning safety precautions
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
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

17. Pruning safety precautions
Always use both hands when operating power equipment
Pole shears and hedge trimmers
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

18. 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
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

19. If using a ladder for pruning
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
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

20. If using a ladder for pruning
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
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

21. General safety for pruning
Use proper lifting techniques
Avoid awkward postures
Drink plenty of liquids to prevent heat exhaustion and dehydration
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

22. 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
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

23. 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
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency