CONTRIBUTED CONTENT: Safety first

Safety first! What does this really mean? It may sound counterintuitive, but there are a couple different ways of thinking when it comes to safety first. If it were truly “safety first,” we would all just stay home and wrap ourselves in bubble wrap so no harm may come. Life in general comes with certain acceptable risks, such as driving to the supermarket, or flying in an airplane. The key words though are, “acceptable risks,” which we will circle back to in a moment. The way we view safety here at Grace Tree Service is as a culture, and that means much more than a simple “safety first” phrase. It’s not just what we do or don’t do that keeps us safe, but how we think.

Performing tree work is inherently risky. The danger isn’t driven by one single factor, but rather by the convergence of four distinct hazards that professionals must manage simultaneously on every single job. Falls from height, struck-by incidents, electrocution hazards, and high-energy machinery such as chain saws, shears, and other heavy equipment. In addition, every tree we approach presents a unique structural puzzle: internal decay, root plate instability, and localized weather or wind change the physics of every cut. Balancing all of these dynamic variables is precisely why professional arboriculture demands rigorous standards, (like ANSI Z133 compliance), continuous technical training, and an uncompromising, systems-oriented safety culture. 

As a company with a safety-first mindset, how then do we manage all this acceptable risk in a job that is rated as one of the most dangerous in North America? It starts with abiding by the rules and regulations that organizations such as OSHA and ANSI set in place, which gives you guidelines and rules that help keep us safer as a whole. We hold weekly safety meetings with our crews to discuss incidents/accidents/damage, as well as relevant seasonal safety topics. Beyond that, we have a safety committee that meets once per month to discuss our rates of incidents, OSHA and ANSI compliance, future trainings, and to review the efficacy of our weekly safety meetings.  

Additionally, both Shawn and I are Certified Treecare Safety Professionals, which is a training certification that taught us how to better coach, mentor and model safe work habits for the crew. The course also helped us in identifying, evaluating, and mitigating high-risk hazards. Lastly, we received training in developing operational procedures that promotes a proactive safety culture. 

The goal in this article wasn’t to overwhelm you with how dangerous this job is, instead, it was to instill confidence in our customers that we have the safety culture that it takes to perform work for you in a safe and efficient manner. 

For further quotes, questions, or consultations, give us a call today, 208-762-5800!

For more information on Grace Tree Service, check out our website at gracetreeservice.com.