| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess the work area | Falling limbs, overhead hazards, traffic, uneven footing, crew entering hazard zone | Walk the site, identify potential drop zones, set cones near roadways, maintain a clear exclusion area, assign a spotter |
| Inspect the pole saw | Damaged extension locks, dull chain or blade, fuel leaks, loose fasteners | Inspect the pole segments, verify secure locking mechanisms, check bar and chain condition, confirm proper chain tension, remove damaged saws from service |
| Don required PPE | Falling debris, eye injuries, hearing damage, hand injuries | Wear all required PPE before starting work |
| Establish work position | Strains, falls, unstable footing | Stand on stable ground, avoid trimming while standing on slopes or unstable surfaces, maintain firm grip and balanced stance |
| Identify branches to be trimmed | Falling limbs, kickback, unpredictable limb movement | Plan cuts in sequence, avoid cutting large limbs overhead if equipment is not rated, consider secondary crew to manage ground hazards |
| Begin trimming with pole saw | Falling branches, saw contacting body, loss of control | Keep both hands on the pole, cut from the outer edge inward, stand clear of drop zone, let branches fall freely without guiding them |
| Manage overhead hazards | Branches dropping onto crew or equipment | Ensure spotter keeps others clear, maintain two tree lengths distance for bystanders, never stand directly under branches being cut |
| Avoid overextension | Loss of balance, pole contacting overhead lines or structures | Keep pole at manageable height, never trim within minimum approach distance to power lines, reposition yourself instead of stretching |
| Shut off and reposition | Contact with moving chain, slips while moving with saw | For powered saws, idle down and engage chain brake before moving, carry saw in lowered position, watch footing while relocating |
| Clear downed limbs | Cuts, strains, trips in debris field | Use gloves, drag limbs away from work area, maintain clear pathways, cut large limbs into manageable pieces before moving |
| Final cleanup and inspection | Hidden hazards, contact with hot engine parts | Conduct final walk through, ensure no debris remains in travel paths or roadways, store pole saw properly after cooling |
Hard hat
Safety glasses or face shield
Hearing protection (for powered pole saws)
Cut resistant gloves
Long sleeves and long pants
Steel toe boots
High visibility vest when near roads
Chainsaw chaps if using a gas powered pole saw
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.
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| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess the work area | Falling limbs, overhead hazards, traffic, uneven footing, crew entering hazard zone | Walk the site, identify potential drop zones, set cones near roadways, maintain a clear exclusion area, assign a spotter |
| Inspect the pole saw | Damaged extension locks, dull chain or blade, fuel leaks, loose fasteners | Inspect the pole segments, verify secure locking mechanisms, check bar and chain condition, confirm proper chain tension, remove damaged saws from service |
| Don required PPE | Falling debris, eye injuries, hearing damage, hand injuries | Wear all required PPE before starting work |
| Establish work position | Strains, falls, unstable footing | Stand on stable ground, avoid trimming while standing on slopes or unstable surfaces, maintain firm grip and balanced stance |
| Identify branches to be trimmed | Falling limbs, kickback, unpredictable limb movement | Plan cuts in sequence, avoid cutting large limbs overhead if equipment is not rated, consider secondary crew to manage ground hazards |
| Begin trimming with pole saw | Falling branches, saw contacting body, loss of control | Keep both hands on the pole, cut from the outer edge inward, stand clear of drop zone, let branches fall freely without guiding them |
| Manage overhead hazards | Branches dropping onto crew or equipment | Ensure spotter keeps others clear, maintain two tree lengths distance for bystanders, never stand directly under branches being cut |
| Avoid overextension | Loss of balance, pole contacting overhead lines or structures | Keep pole at manageable height, never trim within minimum approach distance to power lines, reposition yourself instead of stretching |
| Shut off and reposition | Contact with moving chain, slips while moving with saw | For powered saws, idle down and engage chain brake before moving, carry saw in lowered position, watch footing while relocating |
| Clear downed limbs | Cuts, strains, trips in debris field | Use gloves, drag limbs away from work area, maintain clear pathways, cut large limbs into manageable pieces before moving |
| Final cleanup and inspection | Hidden hazards, contact with hot engine parts | Conduct final walk through, ensure no debris remains in travel paths or roadways, store pole saw properly after cooling |
Hard hat
Safety glasses or face shield
Hearing protection (for powered pole saws)
Cut resistant gloves
Long sleeves and long pants
Steel toe boots
High visibility vest when near roads
Chainsaw chaps if using a gas powered pole saw