Trees require constant maintenance, pruning, and trimming. When a tree gets sick or eventually dies, it must be cut down in order to avoid injuries and harm to nearby structures. Tree pruning and cutting are best left to licensed arborists as homeowners may encounter one or more of these common tree cutting accidents if they attempt DIY tree cutting and maintenance.
1. Being Struck
One of the most frequent tree cutting accident is being struck by a falling debris. In most cases, the falling debris is a tree limb or branch.
2. Falls
The individual cutting the tree may slip off a ladder, fall off the roof if accessing the tree via the roof or fall out of the tree if accessing limbs by climbing the tree without customary harnessing.
3. Electrocution
When a tree is planted beside overhead power lines, there is a real chance of electrocution to anybody trimming the branches near the wires. The individual may inadvertently touch the wires himself or herself, or a falling branch could tap the wires down and the tree trimmer could step on or be touched by the falling wire.
4. Cuts
Cuts are another common type of injury that a person may encounter while cutting down a tree. In most cases, the cuts are a result of inappropriate use of power cutting machinery such as chainsaws or when using manual machines such as a hacksaw.
5. Impact Injuries
In the event of an equipment malfunction such as the failure to function of the lift mechanism of a bucket truck or the breaking of a climbing rope, the tree cutter could be thrown against the tree or pinned against another structure, resulting in an injury.
6. Amputations
Using heavy equipment and power tools such as chippers leads to the danger of amputation of the hand, fingers or even part of the arm. This may be a result of an equipment breakdown or operator error.
7. Scrapes
Scrapes may happen if a tree bark that comes into contact with the bare skin. In some cases, fragments of wood may penetrate the opened skin. Infections may happen if dirt gets into the open wound.
8. Poisoning
Harmful plants such as poison oak, poison ivy, and poison sumac may grow up a tree. These plants can be hard to recognise as their leaves mingle in with those of the tree. Exposure to any part of the poisonous plants may result in blistering, infection, dermatitis, and serious allergic reaction.
Don't risk your health by preferring to do it by yourself, call a professional arborist like the guys from At Your Tree Service today!