Safety with Tree Surgery

Tree surgery is a profession that can carry many risks. It is vitally important therefore that tree surgeons are adequately trained and qualified and comply with safety procedures. Hire someone to carry out tree services on your property who does not meet these criteria, and you could find yourself open to a claim.

When hiring a tree surgeon in Essex, check the following:

Training: Tree surgeons work in high-risk conditions, often at height and during all weathers. So training is vitally important. This should involve working alongside an experienced arboriculture expert for a period of time. Training schemes include those provided by Lantra Awards, and there are certificates of competence (CoCs) awarded by the City & Guilds NPTC. Look out for these as they will cover skills including chainsaw maintenance, felling and processing trees between 200 – 380mm, safe climbing of trees and aerial rescues, safe operation of wood chippers, and the use of a chainsaw from a rope and harness.

A review of current industry practices is also being carried out by AFAG’s Training and Certification Project Group. This will encourage the recording of on-the-job experience and formal qualifications to help promote good industry practice.

Preventative Measures: Before we can get to work, certain measures must be in place. Protective clothing and the right equipment is one such measure. A helmet, waterproofs and a safety harness are all part of the required kit.

It is necessary to conduct a risk assessment on site prior to starting work in order to determine any particular areas of risk so hazards can be anticipated and minimised. An efficient system for keeping in touch with lone workers is vital so that should someone be injured when working on their own, they can easily call for help. First aid training is also necessary to enable basic medical assistance to be carried out if needed.

Adequate Insurance: A tree surgeon must possess adequate public liability and employer liability insurance to protect both those working on trees and the owners of the land being worked on.

Does your tree surgeon adhere to the necessary safety and insurance standards? Do they have the right qualifications and accreditations? T.H. Tree Services does.

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