• Always use proper personal protective equipment

as recommended by the manufacturer’s operating

manual, including eye, face, head, hand, and foot

protection.

• Broken or hanging branches, attached vines, or a

dead tree that is leaning. All of these hazards can

cause an injury.

• If you have to cut a dead tree, be careful. The top

could break off.

• If the tree is broken and under pressure, make sure

you know which way the pressure is going. If not

sure, make small cuts to release some of the pressure before cutting up the section.

• Be careful of young trees that other trees have fallen against. They act like spring poles and can propel back. (Many professional loggers have been

hurt in this manner.)

• A tree may have not fallen completely to the

ground and be lodged against another tree.

Extreme care must be taken to safely bring the

trees to the ground.

• If possible, avoid felling into other trees or objects.

Don’t turn your back on the tree as it falls, and

hide behind a standing tree if possible.

• As trees fall through other trees or objects, branches and objects may get thrown back towards logger.

More people are killed while felling trees than during

any other logging activity.

These accidents CAN be avoided!

• ALWAYS ASSUME THAT POWER LINES

ARE ENERGIZED!

• If clearing trees, contact the utility company to discuss de-energizing and grounding or shielding of

power lines.

• Extreme caution is necessary when moving ladders and other equipment around downed trees

and power lines.

• Always perform a hazard assessment of the work

area prior to start of work.

To “fell a tree” means more than just cutting it

down. Felling means to cut the tree in such a way

that it falls in the desired direction and results in the

least damage to the tree.

To safely fell a tree, you must: Eliminate or minimize

exposure to potential hazards found at the tree and

in the surrounding area.

• What hazards are present in the area where the

logger will be working. [1910.266(h)(2)(i-iv)]

• Determine the felling direction and how to deal

with forward lean, back lean, and/or side lean.

[1910.266(h)(2)(ii)]

• Provide a retreat path so the logger can reach safety while the tree is falling. [1910.266(h)(2)(i)]

• Determine the proper hinge size to safely guide the

tree in its fall. [1910.266(h)(2)(vi)]

• Proper felling methods allow the logger to safely

fell the tree. [1910.266(h)(2)(v-vii)]

• Look out for Hazards and make sure you know

where everyone is located!

FactSheet

TreeTrimming Safety

Thousands of massive trees may have been uprooted by powerful winds from a hurricane taking power lines and transformers with them.

This is one in a series of informational fact sheets highlighting OSHA programs, policies or standards. It does

not impose any new compliance requirements. For a comprehensive list of compliance requirements of OSHA

standards or regulations, refer to Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations. This information will be made

available to sensory impaired individuals upon request.The voice phone is (202) 693-1999; teletypewriter (TTY)

number: (877) 889-5627.

U.S. Department of Labor

www.osha.gov

For more complete information: