| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess the storm damage area | Downed wires, unstable trees, hidden hazards, traffic, wandering crew entering unsafe zones | Perform a full walk around, confirm utilities have cleared downed wires, mark off unsafe sections, set cones if roadside, assign a spotter to watch crew movement |
| Identify debris types and hazards | Sharp objects, nails, unstable limbs, flood contamination, wild animals | Categorize debris before handling, avoid direct contact with contaminated materials, use tools rather than hands when unsure of contents |
| Inspect tools and equipment | Broken handles, dull blades, malfunctioning chainsaws, damaged loaders | Inspect hand tools, verify chainsaw safety features, check for hydraulic leaks in equipment, remove defective tools from service |
| Don proper PPE | Cuts, eye injuries, foot injuries, hearing damage | Ensure all required PPE is worn before debris removal begins |
| Remove light debris manually | Cuts, strains, slips, hidden nails or glass | Use gloves, lift with legs not back, keep footing stable, use rakes or hooks for piles, avoid twisting while lifting |
| Cut and remove large branches or limbs | Kickback, falling limbs, saw pinch, crew entering hazard zone | Only trained operators use chainsaws, maintain communication, stand to the side of the bar, keep others clear by two tree lengths, use proper limbing and bucking techniques |
| Use mechanical equipment for heavy debris | Pinch points, struck by equipment, machine rollovers | Use spotters, maintain visual communication, operate machines on stable ground, keep all workers out of swing zones and backing paths |
| Clear blocked drains, culverts, and ditches | Water flow hazards, slips, contaminated materials | Approach from the side, probe water with tools, avoid entering moving water, use gloves and tools for handling contaminated debris |
| Load debris onto trucks or trailers | Falling material, pinch points, overexertion | Stage debris before lifting, avoid overloading trucks, keep hands clear of tailgates, maintain footing when tossing or stacking |
| Monitor crew location and fatigue | Crew wandering into danger zones, reduced situational awareness due to long hours | Assign a crew leader to maintain situational awareness, take breaks as needed, rotate tasks to reduce fatigue risk |
| Final site cleanup | Sharp debris left behind, slips, hazardous materials | Conduct final walkthrough, remove nails or metal with magnets if available, ensure roads and walkways are fully clear |
Hard hat
Safety glasses or face shield
High visibility vest (especially when working along roadways)
Hearing protection when using powered equipment
Cut resistant gloves
Steel toe boots
Chainsaw chaps when cutting limbs
Long sleeves and pants
Always have a complete, well-stocked first aid kit available.
JSA Category: Chainsaw, Forestry, and Vegetation Management
* The steps, hazards, and controls displayed above may be incomplete or not suit your department's needs. All job safety analyses should be a completed with frontline worker input to ensure that each potential hazard is identified and mitigated.
Please read about The Essentials Elements of a Solid Job Safety Anaylsis here.
Thank you to our primary sponsor, Roadwurx, which is a simple asset management platform for small public works and road departments.
| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess the storm damage area | Downed wires, unstable trees, hidden hazards, traffic, wandering crew entering unsafe zones | Perform a full walk around, confirm utilities have cleared downed wires, mark off unsafe sections, set cones if roadside, assign a spotter to watch crew movement |
| Identify debris types and hazards | Sharp objects, nails, unstable limbs, flood contamination, wild animals | Categorize debris before handling, avoid direct contact with contaminated materials, use tools rather than hands when unsure of contents |
| Inspect tools and equipment | Broken handles, dull blades, malfunctioning chainsaws, damaged loaders | Inspect hand tools, verify chainsaw safety features, check for hydraulic leaks in equipment, remove defective tools from service |
| Don proper PPE | Cuts, eye injuries, foot injuries, hearing damage | Ensure all required PPE is worn before debris removal begins |
| Remove light debris manually | Cuts, strains, slips, hidden nails or glass | Use gloves, lift with legs not back, keep footing stable, use rakes or hooks for piles, avoid twisting while lifting |
| Cut and remove large branches or limbs | Kickback, falling limbs, saw pinch, crew entering hazard zone | Only trained operators use chainsaws, maintain communication, stand to the side of the bar, keep others clear by two tree lengths, use proper limbing and bucking techniques |
| Use mechanical equipment for heavy debris | Pinch points, struck by equipment, machine rollovers | Use spotters, maintain visual communication, operate machines on stable ground, keep all workers out of swing zones and backing paths |
| Clear blocked drains, culverts, and ditches | Water flow hazards, slips, contaminated materials | Approach from the side, probe water with tools, avoid entering moving water, use gloves and tools for handling contaminated debris |
| Load debris onto trucks or trailers | Falling material, pinch points, overexertion | Stage debris before lifting, avoid overloading trucks, keep hands clear of tailgates, maintain footing when tossing or stacking |
| Monitor crew location and fatigue | Crew wandering into danger zones, reduced situational awareness due to long hours | Assign a crew leader to maintain situational awareness, take breaks as needed, rotate tasks to reduce fatigue risk |
| Final site cleanup | Sharp debris left behind, slips, hazardous materials | Conduct final walkthrough, remove nails or metal with magnets if available, ensure roads and walkways are fully clear |
Hard hat
Safety glasses or face shield
High visibility vest (especially when working along roadways)
Hearing protection when using powered equipment
Cut resistant gloves
Steel toe boots
Chainsaw chaps when cutting limbs
Long sleeves and pants