As an arborist contractor, you already know that your job can be hazardous, but are you aware of just how dangerous it is? It is essential to consider your unique risk in this line of work. One small mishap can be a life-threatening event. Arborists must be prepared for the dangers that their work presents, which is why it is so crucial to have secured proper insurance, so you and/or your loved ones are not stuck with a heavy financial burden. Read on to discover the common arborist risks and how to manage them.
The Ins and Outs
Working as an arborist can be extremely rewarding and a thrilling job to say the least, but it does come with specific challenges and perils that should be addressed. For this profession, safety has two main areas of concern: equipment knowledge and tree knowledge. Everything used during the job, such as the ropes, harnesses, and carabiners, should meet a certain strength standard, but your fate is ultimately up to the tree. It is not smart to ignore the fact that this occupation comes with a high risk, which involves but is not limited to:
- Falling while scaling trees
- Electrocution by power lines hiding in the brush
- Being struck by limbs tumbling from an unsteady canopy
- Being cut by your tools
- Injury by a chainsaw as it usually is in hand while supported by spurs, ropes, and harnesses
Acknowledge Your Risks
One of the most considerable arborist risks is tree removal. This task, especially within an urban neighborhood, is not merely done by hacking away at a tree trunk. If there are homes, cars, and power lines nearby, safely removing a tree will take the proper gear, knowledge, and bravery. Safety training and certification are becoming more and more commonplace in this line of work. However, the arborist profession is not necessarily regulated. Some arborists begin their work by climbing from the ground, while others will use a ladder. It is highly recommended for a removal job that climbers use two harnesses secured at their waist and wrapped around the tree trunk, along with proper spurs used from climbing. It is also imperative that arborists protect themselves by wearing the right combination of protective gear such as a hard hat, glasses, gloves, and chainsaw pants, which are made from chainsaw-jamming nylon fabric. Being equipped with this gear can mean life or death.
Typically, it will take an experienced arborist to remove a large tree about one or two hours by carefully working their way up the trunk and taking out branches on the way up and down. The task may eventually become second nature to some workers, but that can also be dangerous as they might not be as careful as they should be. Consider how you handle yourself in the tree, as this ultimately impacts your climbing skills. It is all about how you make your route and plan. Some people are more naturally equipped for the task and can do it with minimal effort and without continuously climbing up and down the tree. An arborist’s job is inherently tricky and dangerous, no matter the level of natural ability. Every worker has a different skill level, but the dangers should always be taken seriously.
About Sine Insurance
At Sine Insurance Group, we are dedicated to providing you with custom-tailored insurance policies to protect your assets. Our comprehensive packages have been expertly crafted to serve St. Louis and the surrounding areas for the past 25 years. For more information about our products, contact us today at (855) 700-0889.