| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess the intersection and traffic patterns | High vehicle volume, poor visibility, complex turning movements, pedestrians | Conduct full site assessment; identify blind spots; schedule removal during low traffic periods if possible; request police assistance if needed |
| Establish a traffic control plan | Motorists entering work zone, confused drivers, inadequate lane closure | Set up MUTCD compliant work zone; use cones, signage, and flaggers; ensure clear guidance for motorists; place devices farther back than normal |
| Inspect tools and equipment | Damaged chainsaw, dull chain, faulty pole saw, loose rigging | Check all equipment before work; confirm chain brake, tension, and bar oil function; inspect ropes and rigging devices |
| Don required PPE | Eye injuries, struck by hazards, cuts from chainsaw | Wear all PPE including high visibility vest, chainsaw chaps, and safety glasses before entering the work zone |
| Assign crew roles and communication | Workers wandering into traffic or drop zones | Conduct tailgate meeting; assign a spotter for both traffic flow and overhead hazards; use radios or hand signals; ensure all workers understand escape paths |
| Mark and secure exclusion zones | Pedestrians or crew entering hazard area, falling branches onto intersection | Create barrier around drop zone; keep workers and bystanders clear; ensure spotter maintains perimeter awareness |
| Evaluate tree condition and canopy | Widowmakers, rot, unpredictable lean, limbs over traffic | Identify hangers and defective wood; determine lean direction; consider mechanical equipment or bucket truck if limbs extend over roadway |
| Begin limb removal using pole saw or bucket truck | Falling limbs into traffic, saw kickback, operator missteps | Use pole saw for outer limbs; keep workers out of drop zone; use bucket truck when branches extend over live lanes; maintain communication with ground crew |
| Make directional felling plan (if trunk removal is required) | Tree falling into lanes, striking vehicles or signals | Determine fall direction away from intersection; establish two escape routes; coordinate with flaggers to temporarily stop traffic during critical cuts |
| Perform cutting operations | Kickback, falling trunk, unexpected structural failure | Maintain secure stance; make proper notch and back cut; monitor hinge wood; ensure all workers are clear and traffic is stopped during felling |
| Limb and buck felled tree | Rolling logs, chain pinch, limb release under tension | Stand uphill; identify tension and compression zones; cut small control pieces; maintain distance between crew members |
| Remove debris from intersection area | Crew stepping into traffic, debris creating hazards, lifting injuries | Use loaders or trucks to haul debris; keep workers inside protected zone; lift with legs; do not toss debris near live traffic lanes |
| Final inspection and cleanup | Remaining hazards, branches on roadway, cones left behind | Walk site, verify all limbs and debris are cleared; ensure intersection is fully open; restore normal traffic flow |
| Remove traffic control | Workers exposed to traffic during takedown | Remove devices in reverse order; use lookout; keep high visibility clothing on until all cones and signs are retrieved |
Hard hat
Safety glasses or face shield
Hearing protection
Chainsaw chaps
Cut resistant gloves
Steel toe boots
High visibility vest (mandatory due to traffic)
Long sleeves and long pants
Always have a complete, well-stocked first aid kit available.
JSA Category: Roadway Maintenance Operations
* 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 intersection and traffic patterns | High vehicle volume, poor visibility, complex turning movements, pedestrians | Conduct full site assessment; identify blind spots; schedule removal during low traffic periods if possible; request police assistance if needed |
| Establish a traffic control plan | Motorists entering work zone, confused drivers, inadequate lane closure | Set up MUTCD compliant work zone; use cones, signage, and flaggers; ensure clear guidance for motorists; place devices farther back than normal |
| Inspect tools and equipment | Damaged chainsaw, dull chain, faulty pole saw, loose rigging | Check all equipment before work; confirm chain brake, tension, and bar oil function; inspect ropes and rigging devices |
| Don required PPE | Eye injuries, struck by hazards, cuts from chainsaw | Wear all PPE including high visibility vest, chainsaw chaps, and safety glasses before entering the work zone |
| Assign crew roles and communication | Workers wandering into traffic or drop zones | Conduct tailgate meeting; assign a spotter for both traffic flow and overhead hazards; use radios or hand signals; ensure all workers understand escape paths |
| Mark and secure exclusion zones | Pedestrians or crew entering hazard area, falling branches onto intersection | Create barrier around drop zone; keep workers and bystanders clear; ensure spotter maintains perimeter awareness |
| Evaluate tree condition and canopy | Widowmakers, rot, unpredictable lean, limbs over traffic | Identify hangers and defective wood; determine lean direction; consider mechanical equipment or bucket truck if limbs extend over roadway |
| Begin limb removal using pole saw or bucket truck | Falling limbs into traffic, saw kickback, operator missteps | Use pole saw for outer limbs; keep workers out of drop zone; use bucket truck when branches extend over live lanes; maintain communication with ground crew |
| Make directional felling plan (if trunk removal is required) | Tree falling into lanes, striking vehicles or signals | Determine fall direction away from intersection; establish two escape routes; coordinate with flaggers to temporarily stop traffic during critical cuts |
| Perform cutting operations | Kickback, falling trunk, unexpected structural failure | Maintain secure stance; make proper notch and back cut; monitor hinge wood; ensure all workers are clear and traffic is stopped during felling |
| Limb and buck felled tree | Rolling logs, chain pinch, limb release under tension | Stand uphill; identify tension and compression zones; cut small control pieces; maintain distance between crew members |
| Remove debris from intersection area | Crew stepping into traffic, debris creating hazards, lifting injuries | Use loaders or trucks to haul debris; keep workers inside protected zone; lift with legs; do not toss debris near live traffic lanes |
| Final inspection and cleanup | Remaining hazards, branches on roadway, cones left behind | Walk site, verify all limbs and debris are cleared; ensure intersection is fully open; restore normal traffic flow |
| Remove traffic control | Workers exposed to traffic during takedown | Remove devices in reverse order; use lookout; keep high visibility clothing on until all cones and signs are retrieved |
Hard hat
Safety glasses or face shield
Hearing protection
Chainsaw chaps
Cut resistant gloves
Steel toe boots
High visibility vest (mandatory due to traffic)
Long sleeves and long pants