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News NIOSH ALERT ON DANGERS ports that at least 181 workers tact (direct or indirect) until it is OF TREE TRIMMING involved in tree trimming opera­ verified that the lines are de­ On November 22, 1992, at tions died as a result of injuries energized. least 25 people died and over 200 incurred at work between 1980 • Maintain minimum working were injured when a string of and 198~. The two leading distances from energized conduc­ tornadoes swept through six causes of 'death were electrocu­ tors as specified by OSHA (29 southeastern states. Tornadoes tions (68) and falls (52). To warn CFR 1910.268[q][2][iv]). Safe leveled homes, destroyed busi­ workers involved in tree trim­ distances range from 2 to 15 feet ming and cutting of these haz­ nesses, and ravaged the land­ depending on the voltage. ards, NIOSH has issued an Alert scape, inflicting millions of dol­ • Use only nonconductive tools, describing eight· fatal incidents lars in losses. Although the materials, and personal protec­ storm passed, the devastation involving tree trimmers. Of the tive equipment. and danger lingered for months. eight fatalities NIOSH investi­ • If work must be performed In the aftermath of such a storm, gated, six occurred during nor­ near a powerline or within mini­ hundreds of Americans work to mal felling and maintenance mum working distances speci­ repair the damage and restore procedures. The other two fatali­ fied by OSHA, make sure that homes and lives that were de­ ties were electrocutions that oc­ your employer has contacted the stroyed. Tragically, some work­ curred during clean-up following utility company to discuss de­ ers may be risking their own a hurricane and a tropical storm. energizing, grounding, or shield­ lives. NIOSH urgently requests ing the powerlines. Procedures that are danger­ your assistance in disseminating • Inspect trees and limbs for ous under routine conditions are this information to those at risk. structural weakness before even more hazardous when per­ Workers who trim or cut climbing or cutting. formed during the massive clean­ trees are at risk. This includes • Use appropriate fall protec­ up efforts that follow natural dis­ many electric utility, telephone, tion equipment. asters. For example, workers and cable television workers. • Inspect all equipment before involved in tree trimming and During the period from 1980 to each use to ensure that it is not clearing of downed power lines 1988, NIOSH identified 181 damaged or defective. face heavy work loads and long work related deaths among • Use safe work procedures to hours which place them at in­ workers involved in tree trim­ prevent inadvertent cutting of creased risk of death and injury. ming and cutting. Due to limita­ climbing ropes, lanyards, and One such worker, a 22 year old tions in data collection, these safety belts or straps. man, was fatally injured while fatalities represent the mini­ • Use safe work procedures for clearing trees during clean-up op­ mum number of workers who climbing, felling, topping, and erations following Hurricane An­ actually died. The two leading pruning trees. drevv. According to the local coro­ causes of death were electrocu­ • Ensure that employees re­ ner's report, the young worker fell tion (38%) and falling (29%). quired to operate mobile equip­ to his death while attempting to Before beginning work, tree ment (for example, aerial buck­ trimmers should take the follow­ trim branches. ets) have been properly trained. ing steps to prevent fatal falls Unfortunately, this incident Participate in any training is not unique. While the hazards and electrocutions: programs offered by your em­ of tree trimming are especially • Conduct an initial and daily ployer. pronounced during clean-up op­ jobsite survey before beginning For more information, con­ erations, tree trimmers and cut­ work to identify hazards and im­ tact NIOSH Publications Dis­ ters are always at risk. The Na­ plement appropriate controls. semination, 4676 Columbia tional Institute for Occupational • Assume that all powerlines Pkwy., Cincinnati, OH 45226, or Safety and Health (NIOSH) re- are energized and avoid all con- call (800) 35-NIOSH. 558 AAOHNJOURNAL http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png AAOHN Journal SAGE

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AAOHN Journal , Volume 41 (11): 1 – Nov 1, 1993
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SAGE
Copyright
© 1993 American Association of Occupational Health Nurses
ISSN
0891-0162
DOI
10.1177/216507999304101108
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Abstract

NIOSH ALERT ON DANGERS ports that at least 181 workers tact (direct or indirect) until it is OF TREE TRIMMING involved in tree trimming opera­ verified that the lines are de­ On November 22, 1992, at tions died as a result of injuries energized. least 25 people died and over 200 incurred at work between 1980 • Maintain minimum working were injured when a string of and 198~. The two leading distances from energized conduc­ tornadoes swept through six causes of 'death were electrocu­ tors as specified by OSHA (29 southeastern states. Tornadoes tions (68) and falls (52). To warn CFR 1910.268[q][2][iv]). Safe leveled homes, destroyed busi­ workers involved in tree trim­ distances range from 2 to 15 feet ming and cutting of these haz­ nesses, and ravaged the land­ depending on the voltage. ards, NIOSH has issued an Alert scape, inflicting millions of dol­ • Use only nonconductive tools, describing eight· fatal incidents lars in losses. Although the materials, and personal protec­ storm passed, the devastation involving tree trimmers. Of the tive equipment. and danger lingered for months. eight fatalities NIOSH investi­ • If work must be performed In the aftermath of such a storm, gated, six occurred during nor­ near a powerline or within mini­ hundreds of Americans work to mal felling and maintenance mum working distances speci­ repair the damage and restore procedures. The other two fatali­ fied by OSHA, make sure that homes and lives that were de­ ties were electrocutions that oc­ your employer has contacted the stroyed. Tragically, some work­ curred during clean-up following utility company to discuss de­ ers may be risking their own a hurricane and a tropical storm. energizing, grounding, or shield­ lives. NIOSH urgently requests ing the powerlines. Procedures that are danger­ your assistance in disseminating • Inspect trees and limbs for ous under routine conditions are this information to those at risk. structural weakness before even more hazardous when per­ Workers who trim or cut climbing or cutting. formed during the massive clean­ trees are at risk. This includes • Use appropriate fall protec­ up efforts that follow natural dis­ many electric utility, telephone, tion equipment. asters. For example, workers and cable television workers. • Inspect all equipment before involved in tree trimming and During the period from 1980 to each use to ensure that it is not clearing of downed power lines 1988, NIOSH identified 181 damaged or defective. face heavy work loads and long work related deaths among • Use safe work procedures to hours which place them at in­ workers involved in tree trim­ prevent inadvertent cutting of creased risk of death and injury. ming and cutting. Due to limita­ climbing ropes, lanyards, and One such worker, a 22 year old tions in data collection, these safety belts or straps. man, was fatally injured while fatalities represent the mini­ • Use safe work procedures for clearing trees during clean-up op­ mum number of workers who climbing, felling, topping, and erations following Hurricane An­ actually died. The two leading pruning trees. drevv. According to the local coro­ causes of death were electrocu­ • Ensure that employees re­ ner's report, the young worker fell tion (38%) and falling (29%). quired to operate mobile equip­ to his death while attempting to Before beginning work, tree ment (for example, aerial buck­ trimmers should take the follow­ trim branches. ets) have been properly trained. ing steps to prevent fatal falls Unfortunately, this incident Participate in any training is not unique. While the hazards and electrocutions: programs offered by your em­ of tree trimming are especially • Conduct an initial and daily ployer. pronounced during clean-up op­ jobsite survey before beginning For more information, con­ erations, tree trimmers and cut­ work to identify hazards and im­ tact NIOSH Publications Dis­ ters are always at risk. The Na­ plement appropriate controls. semination, 4676 Columbia tional Institute for Occupational • Assume that all powerlines Pkwy., Cincinnati, OH 45226, or Safety and Health (NIOSH) re- are energized and avoid all con- call (800) 35-NIOSH. 558 AAOHNJOURNAL

Journal

AAOHN Journal – SAGE

Published: Nov 1, 1993

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