Tag Archives: yard work

Fall Safety

Ensuring Tree Care & Landscape Worker Safety

Tree care and landscaping workers are especially vulnerable to the Fatal Four, also known as construction’s four deadliest hazards. There are five main safety considerations they have to take into account, consisting of:
⦁ Drop Zone Safety: Determining where large tree limbs can fall without risk to other workers.
⦁ Aerial Lift & Climbing Safety: Ensuring aerial lifts, scaffolding, and ladders are secure and durable, as well as situated well away from power lines.
⦁ Chipper Safety: Using wood chippers efficiently so as to avoid being struck by materials thrown from the machine, or getting body parts caught in the feed.
⦁ Traffic Control Safety: Effectively setting up a traffic barrier to redirect vehicles on the road and inform them of work up ahead.

There are various ways landscape and tree care workers can address these safety standards and ensure they are put into place.

Drop Zone Safety

Trimming trees leads to falling tree branches and limbs. Even smaller branches have the ability of seriously injuring workers on the ground at the high speeds they fall. For this reason, establishing a “drop zone” essential. This refers to an area designated for falling tree limbs, which other workers should not cross into.

It can be difficult to establish an accurate drop zone radius, since different sized tree limbs fall at different angles. For this reason, OSHA recommends establishing a work area equivalent to two tree lengths of the tree being trimmed or felled.

Drop zones should be appropriately demarcated. This is done with cones, caution barrier tape, and reflectors if the work is being done in low-visibility weather. Additionally, all workers on the site should be equipped with hard hats and eye protection.

Most importantly, however, is that workers establish an effective communication system amongst themselves. Tree cutters should issue verbal cues to notify ground workers of an upcoming drop. These verbal cues can include “stand clear” or “incoming”. In turn, the tree cutter should wait to receive an affirmative cue from the ground workers below, notifying them that they’re all clear.

Aerial Lift & Climbing Safety

Falls are the deadliest work site hazard. In 2017, they accounted for 39.2% of all construction deaths. That’s why it’s important for scaffolding, ladders, and aerial lifts to be secure prior to use. Aerial lift buckets should be carefully inspected and tested, as tip overs can otherwise occur.

Similarly, ladders and scaffolding should be inspected. Scaffolds should have stable planks, guard rails, and durable cross bracing. Meanwhile, ladders should be kept dry, positioned at a reliable angle, and supported/supervised by a worker at the bottom.

Workers that are aloft should also be equipped with body harnesses at all times, so that they remain attached to the aerial lift bucket and will be aided even in the event of a slip. They should also not reach too far past the edge of the bucket, but rather ask the aerial lift operator to readjust their positioning.

Aerial lifts and climbing devices also pose electrocution risks. They should always be kept away from power lines, particularly if they are made of metal or aluminum. There should be at least 10 feet between power lines and aerial equipment at all times.

Chipper Safety

With proper distance and equipment, placing wood and other organic material into a chipper is fairly safe. However, dangers can arise when workers are manually pushing material into the chipper or leaning too far toward it.

Workers should stand off to the side when inserting material into the wood chipper. Additionally, they should always wear tight-fitting clothing so as to avoid getting caught in the chipper. Hard hats and safety googles should also be worn, as chippers have the tendency to spit small fragments back out at high speeds.

Lastly, the end of the tree or branch that was cut should be fed first into the chipper. This will prevent jams and material kickback.

Traffic Control Safety

Most tree care and landscape workers work near roads and thoroughfares. To avoid being struck by moving vehicles, traffic zones should be established. Cones, barricades, and flaggers should be used to redirect vehicles away from the work site.

In areas of low-visibility, flaggers should always wear reflective vests. Pedestrians should also be reminded to keep a safe distance from falling tree branches. At night, lights should be used to increase the visibility of the work site. All of these precautions are just as important for the safety of workers as for the safety of motorists.

With the above four safety considerations in mind, tree care and landscape workers can significantly decrease the likelihood of injuries and fatalities on the work site. Not only are the solutions to these problems fairly simple, but they rely more on effective communication than anything else. Cooperation and collaboration are crucial to the success and safety of workers in this industry.

Ellie Batchiyska is a writer for Scaffold Store, a trusted scaffold supplier for home renovators and contractors.
Eye Protection, General Safety Issues

LET’S FOCUS ON PREVENTING EYE INJURIES

The month of October is designated as National Eye Injury Prevention Month.  Protecting our eyes is a full-time job.  Did you know that more than 2,000 eye injuries happen per day?  The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that about 70 per cent of eye injuries studied are the result from falling objects, or sparks striking the eye.

First, it is important to take care of our children’s eyes.  Early detection and treatment of eye conditions and diseases are important to keeping good vision at every stage of life.  Children with a family history of childhood vision problems should be screened for common childhood eye problems before they are 5 years old.  Children’s eyes are as sensitive to excessive sunlight, water reflections, snow, etc. as adults; therefore, it is important that they wear sunglasses to protect them.  Most young adults have healthy vision; however, if problems such as pain, flashes of light, visual changes, seeing spots, excessive tearing or excessive dryness occur, the American Academy of Opthalmology recommends they get to an eye doctor.  Those adults between the ages of 40 to 65 should have an eye checkup every two to four years.  Those over the age of 65 should see an eye doctor at least every one to two years.  The key to preventing eye injuries and health is to take a more proactive approach to maintaining healthy vision.

Out of the 2,000 eye injuries that happen annually, approximately one-half of those injuries happen in American workplaces alone.  Ninety per cent of eye injuries are preventable when wearing protective eyewear.     It is important to wear the right type of eye protection that comes the closest to the demands of the job.  Wrap-around safety glasses and safety sunglasses protect the eyes from objects entering the eye from the side.  Goggles are required for those who work around chemicals, and other hazards such as particles entering the eye.  Welders wear shields that contain the right amount of shade to protect their eyes, in addition to protective eyewear.

It’s no surprise that the BLS reports that about three out of every five workers injured were either not wearing eye protection at the time of the accident or were wearing the wrong kind of eye protection.  Eyewear must fit properly and be designed to protect workers while they work.  As stated above, it is possible to prevent about ninety per cent of eye injuries if workers wear their safety eyewear.  OSHA has standards requiring employers to furnish their workers with appropriate eye protection.

For working in the yard, you must remember to slip on those safety glasses or goggles while mowing , trimming trees, or stirring up any dust and particles.  We only get one pair of eyes, so we must do all we can to keep them safe and healthy.

 Source: U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services; Atlantic Eye Institute

Back Safety, Fall Safety, First Aid Safety, High Visibility Safety

FALL IS HERE!

In some parts of the country, it comes earlier than others, but September 23rd  is the first day of fall!   The northern states are already feeling cooler temperatures and seeing the changing of  colors.  It takes a little longer for those of us in the southern states; however, the early mornings are beginning to feel somewhat cooler.  For most of us, it’s a favorite time of the year.  Kids are back in school, football is in full swing, baseball playoffs are around the corner, and in general, it’s a great time.  

Fall brings a reminder of tasks that must be done to get ready for winter.  As the leaves begin to fall and cover the yard, the pleasure of raking them up is ahead.  Be sure to wear some good work gloves to avoid rubbing blisters.  Pruning trees is another chore, and should be done with extreme care.  Standing on a stepladder to prune trees isn’t a safe idea.  When you are lifting boxes full of trash and debris from the yard, remember to lift with your legs and don’t strain your back.  

Taking a drive on a beautiful fall day is a great idea.  There’s nothing better than seeing the array of colors.  Use extra caution, though, as there may be more animals crossing the roads during cooler days and evenings.  Deer, raccoons, skunks, and many other little critters are out and about, and not watching for you, so you must watch for them.  Those pretty leaves that fall from the trees can build up on the roads and create a driving hazard, if they are wet.  When wet, they become the same hazard as puddles or standing water.  They also may be covering potholes or other holes in the road.  Early cool mornings can also be foggy.  Fog is the single most dangerous condition a driver can encounter, so slow down. 

If you choose to take one last fall hike or outing, please consider using the same precautions that we have passed on to you before:

  • Take your cell phone.
  • Tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return.
  • Watch for snakes, as they prepare for hibernation, they may be more restless.
  • Take along plenty of water, food, a first aid kit and supplies and flashlight.
  • Keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot while you are camping.
  • Don’t attempt to get close to wild animals.
  • Wear high visibility vests and caps.
  • Stay alert to weather changes. 

Seasonal allergies also plague some of us in the fall.  Be sure you have some over-the-counter medication to take before they get the best of you; if necessary, ask your doctor to prescribe allergy medicine so you can enjoy the season. 

As you are driving to work, be sure to watch for children on their way to school.  Allow driving time to reach your destination without rushing.  As you go home, remember the days will be becoming shorter, meaning darkness will come earlier.  Enjoy every day of the season, and stay safe and well.  Be sure to get your flu shot if you haven’t done so already. 

One last reminder: your pets will notice the changes in the weather, too.  Be sure that those who live outside have good shelter, water, and extra food when the days get cold.  They are family members, too, and deserve to be well cared for.