| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess the site and identify utilities | Energized lines hidden in canopy, weak poles, broken conductors, secondary crews entering danger zone | Perform a full visual inspection, identify primary and secondary lines, call utility if any line appears damaged or if clearance is uncertain, set up exclusion zone |
| Determine required Minimum Approach Distance | Tools or limbs contacting live wires, indirect electrical contact through branches or equipment | Know the required distance for the voltage level, mark the safe working boundary, do not allow saws, poles, ladders, or limbs to enter that area |
| Inspect tools and equipment | Conductive equipment, damaged insulation, broken pole saw locks | Use only non conductive pole saws and tools rated for proximity work, inspect pole insulation, remove damage from service |
| Don required PPE | Electrical hazards, falling debris, eye and hearing injuries | Wear all PPE appropriate for tree work near utilities; follow utility guidance for additional PPE |
| Establish exclusion zone | Crew or public entering hazardous area | Use cones, caution tape, or barricades; maintain wide buffer around drop zone and around utility lines; assign a lookout to monitor |
| Communicate with utility provider | Unknown voltage, hazardous conditions, unsafe distances | Contact utility if any part of the tree is within minimum approach distance; request line de energizing or clearance trimming by certified arborists |
| Plan trimming cuts | Branches falling into lines, unexpected limb movement | Evaluate tree lean, wind, branch tension, and potential swing paths; cut small sections to prevent uncontrolled movement; avoid felling cuts anywhere near lines |
| Perform trimming or removal work | Limb contacting lines, pole saw contacting wires, kickback or loss of control | Always maintain the required clearance, stand to the side of cutting path, control pole saw angle to avoid overhead contact, never work above or beside energized lines |
| Manage falling limbs safely | Branches knocking lines, branches rebounding toward workers | Keep branches small, allow clear fall paths, avoid releasing limbs toward conductors, use rope controlled lowering only if trained and outside restricted zones |
| Monitor crew positioning | Workers drifting toward utility hazards | Maintain constant verbal awareness, instruct crew to stay far from canopy edges near lines, stop work if anyone approaches unsafe distance |
| Shut down and inspect work area | Hidden hazards remaining, unnoticed limb contact with lines | Re inspect canopy for hangers or limbs resting on wires, contact utility if any branch touched or appears to touch a line |
| Final cleanup | Moving debris near energized lines, residual hazards | Keep cleanup equipment clear of utility poles and guy wires, maintain safe distance, do not remove debris that is touching wires |
Hard hat (non conductive if required)
Safety glasses or face shield
Hearing protection when using powered tools
Cut resistant gloves
Steel toe boots
High visibility vest
Chainsaw chaps when using chainsaws
Voltage rated gloves if required by utility (never used without proper training)
Public works crews must not perform any cutting or trimming that could place tools, branches, equipment, or personnel within the designated Minimum Approach Distance of energized lines. Only qualified line clearance arborists may work inside that zone. This JSA applies only to tree work conducted near, but not within, restricted distances.
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 site and identify utilities | Energized lines hidden in canopy, weak poles, broken conductors, secondary crews entering danger zone | Perform a full visual inspection, identify primary and secondary lines, call utility if any line appears damaged or if clearance is uncertain, set up exclusion zone |
| Determine required Minimum Approach Distance | Tools or limbs contacting live wires, indirect electrical contact through branches or equipment | Know the required distance for the voltage level, mark the safe working boundary, do not allow saws, poles, ladders, or limbs to enter that area |
| Inspect tools and equipment | Conductive equipment, damaged insulation, broken pole saw locks | Use only non conductive pole saws and tools rated for proximity work, inspect pole insulation, remove damage from service |
| Don required PPE | Electrical hazards, falling debris, eye and hearing injuries | Wear all PPE appropriate for tree work near utilities; follow utility guidance for additional PPE |
| Establish exclusion zone | Crew or public entering hazardous area | Use cones, caution tape, or barricades; maintain wide buffer around drop zone and around utility lines; assign a lookout to monitor |
| Communicate with utility provider | Unknown voltage, hazardous conditions, unsafe distances | Contact utility if any part of the tree is within minimum approach distance; request line de energizing or clearance trimming by certified arborists |
| Plan trimming cuts | Branches falling into lines, unexpected limb movement | Evaluate tree lean, wind, branch tension, and potential swing paths; cut small sections to prevent uncontrolled movement; avoid felling cuts anywhere near lines |
| Perform trimming or removal work | Limb contacting lines, pole saw contacting wires, kickback or loss of control | Always maintain the required clearance, stand to the side of cutting path, control pole saw angle to avoid overhead contact, never work above or beside energized lines |
| Manage falling limbs safely | Branches knocking lines, branches rebounding toward workers | Keep branches small, allow clear fall paths, avoid releasing limbs toward conductors, use rope controlled lowering only if trained and outside restricted zones |
| Monitor crew positioning | Workers drifting toward utility hazards | Maintain constant verbal awareness, instruct crew to stay far from canopy edges near lines, stop work if anyone approaches unsafe distance |
| Shut down and inspect work area | Hidden hazards remaining, unnoticed limb contact with lines | Re inspect canopy for hangers or limbs resting on wires, contact utility if any branch touched or appears to touch a line |
| Final cleanup | Moving debris near energized lines, residual hazards | Keep cleanup equipment clear of utility poles and guy wires, maintain safe distance, do not remove debris that is touching wires |
Hard hat (non conductive if required)
Safety glasses or face shield
Hearing protection when using powered tools
Cut resistant gloves
Steel toe boots
High visibility vest
Chainsaw chaps when using chainsaws
Voltage rated gloves if required by utility (never used without proper training)
Public works crews must not perform any cutting or trimming that could place tools, branches, equipment, or personnel within the designated Minimum Approach Distance of energized lines. Only qualified line clearance arborists may work inside that zone. This JSA applies only to tree work conducted near, but not within, restricted distances.