| 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 |
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 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 |