In a recent article I read, an 18-year-old was killed by a falling tree while cleaning up storm damage. How tragic! Injuries and death can happen to anyone. They happen to homeowners and professionals alike. We read about them each month in the “Accident Briefs” of this magazine. How many incidents never get reported and become part of our industry statistics?

A tree crew with the city of Dubuque, Iowa, cleans up after a derecho passed through on July 15, 2024. “It is estimated that we had 85-plus miles-per-hour winds,” says Steven Pregler. All photos courtesy of the author.

Storm-damage cleanup operations increase our risk level. It never hurts to review and be reminded of some of these hazardous conditions.

Storm-damage cleanup is tree work at a whole different level! Many different hazards come into play. Some are more hidden than others. We all face the prospect of having to clean up after a storm or hurricane. No two storms are ever alike.

Tree pruning and removal are topics that are well covered in training manuals, texts and tailgate sessions. What we need, in my opinion, are more articles and discussions regarding storm-damage
cleanup operations, including some of the various hazards that one might encounter and any special techniques that may apply.

When Googling about trees and storm damage, most of the articles that appear talk about how to repair storm-damaged trees. I know I am mostly preaching to the choir here, but it never hurts to review and be reminded of some of these hazardous conditions.

Storm-damage cleanup operations increase our risk level. Most, if not all, accidents are preventable. To prevent accidents from happening, we need to do the following:

• Wear all required PPE.
• Utilize all available tools and equipment suited to the job at hand, including signage and lighting.
• Follow all OSHA and ANSI Standards now covered in the new A300 publication.
• Become EHAP Certified. Electrical hazards are often involved. Understand electricity.
• Notify the electrical utility when wires are involved.
• Assess the situation, identify and prioritize known hazards and formulate a plan.
• Never work alone!
• Rely on your training and skills and those of your team.
• Employ wireless communication technology. If you don’t have it, consider it!
  Have an appropriate trauma first-aid kit available, and have staff trained in first aid and CPR.
• Maintain your job focus.
• Avoid fatigue. Stay well hydrated and energized.
• Don’t take chances. Better safe than sorry!
• Know when to walk away from or turn down a job you are not comfortable with.
• Have emergency contact numbers readily available.

Having contemplated some of the hazards I have encountered over the years, I came up with the following list to be aware of:

• Darkness.
• Trip hazards.
• Electrical (trees in contact with wires and downed wires).
• Wind, driving rain and lightning.
• Slippery snow, ice or mud.
• Slippery leather gloves and fogged-up lenses.
• Compression wood.
• Tension wood.
• Spring poles.
• Hidden decay and cracks.
• Broken hangers (attached and unattached).
• Split trees.
• Uprooted trees.
• Fatigue.
• Extreme heat or bitter cold.
• Trees that could roll or stand back up as you cut limbs and reduce the weight.

To the storm chasers going into large storm-damaged areas for days or weeks at a time, you have a whole list of preparedness guidelines I do not have the experience to speak to. Past articles in this magazine have done an excellent job covering those and should be sought out.

At the end of the day, we all want to go home to our families safe and unharmed. As I always say to fellow arborists, and I am sure many of you do, too, “Stay safe out there!”

Steven F. Pregler is an ISA Certified Arborist and a retired city forester for the city of Dubuque, Iowa.