Tree care is one of the most dangerous professions in North America. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, logging workers and tree trimmers consistently rank among the top occupations for fatal workplace injuries. Falls, struck-by incidents, electrocution, and weather-related accidents account for the majority of serious injuries and fatalities in the industry.
A comprehensive safety program is not optional. It is the difference between a crew that goes home safely every night and one that ends up in the hospital or worse. This checklist covers the key safety areas every tree care company should be addressing in 2026, with special attention to wind, weather, and aerial work decisions.
Pre-Job Safety Assessment
Every job starts with a site assessment. This should be a documented process, not something your crew lead eyeballs from the truck window.
Site Hazard Checklist
- Identify all overhead power lines and utility infrastructure within two tree-lengths of the work zone
- Assess ground conditions: slopes, soft soil, uneven terrain, and access routes for equipment
- Check for target hazards: structures, vehicles, fences, and landscaping in the drop zone
- Identify dead branches, widow-makers, and structurally compromised sections of the tree
- Note the tree species and any known hazards (hollow trunks, co-dominant stems, included bark)
- Confirm adequate clearance for crane, bucket truck, or chipper setup
- Establish the work zone perimeter and ensure it is clearly marked
Crew Readiness
- Verify all crew members have current ISA certifications where required
- Confirm all required PPE is present and in serviceable condition
- Review the job plan with all crew members before work begins
- Designate roles: climber, ground crew, spotter, traffic control (if applicable)
- Confirm first aid kit is on-site and at least one crew member has current first aid/CPR certification
- Ensure emergency contact information and hospital directions are available
Wind and Weather Assessment
Weather is the single most dynamic safety variable in tree work. A clear morning can turn into a dangerous afternoon. Wind gusts that seem manageable on the ground can be lethal at canopy height. Every tree care company needs a formal weather assessment protocol, not just "check the forecast on your phone."
Wind Speed Thresholds
While specific thresholds may vary by company policy and job conditions, here are general guidelines used across the industry:
- 0-15 mph sustained winds: Generally safe for all aerial work. Monitor for gusts.
- 15-25 mph sustained winds: Exercise caution. Assess on a per-job basis considering tree species, height, and exposure. Avoid working at canopy height in fully exposed trees. Consider postponement for bucket truck operations.
- 25-35 mph sustained winds: High caution. Most companies should suspend aerial operations. Ground-level work may continue with heightened awareness of falling debris.
- 35+ mph sustained winds or gusts exceeding 45 mph: Stop all tree work. Secure equipment and evacuate the work zone.
Important: sustained wind speeds and gust speeds are different measurements. A forecast showing 20 mph sustained winds with 35 mph gusts is a very different condition than 20 mph sustained with 25 mph gusts. Always check both values.
Weather Monitoring Protocol
- Check the National Weather Service (NWS) forecast before dispatching crews in the morning
- Monitor hourly wind speed forecasts, not just daily summaries
- Subscribe to NWS severe weather alerts for your operating area
- Re-assess conditions at least every two hours during active work, especially on days with changing weather
- Designate one person (usually the crew lead or operations manager) as the weather decision-maker
- Document all weather-related work stoppages for liability protection
Lightning and Storm Protocol
- If thunder is heard or lightning is visible, stop all work immediately
- Wait at least 30 minutes after the last observed lightning or thunder before resuming work
- If a thunderstorm is forecast, plan to have crews out of the trees well before it arrives
- Never assume a storm will "miss" your work site
Aerial Work Safety
Whether your crew is climbing or working from a bucket truck, aerial work carries the highest risk on any tree job. Falls remain the leading cause of fatalities in tree care.
Climbing Safety
- Inspect all climbing gear (ropes, saddles, carabiners, lanyards) before every use
- Retire any gear that shows signs of wear, damage, or UV degradation
- Maintain two points of attachment at all times when aloft
- Test all tie-in points before committing body weight
- Never climb above the point where a chainsaw cut could compromise your tie-in point
- Carry a rescue plan for every climb: how will you get an injured climber down?
Bucket Truck Operations
- Verify outrigger pads are on solid ground and fully deployed before raising the boom
- Confirm the work zone is clear of overhead power lines (maintain OSHA-required minimum approach distances)
- Wear the provided fall protection harness and lanyard at all times in the bucket
- Never exceed the bucket's rated capacity
- Maintain communication between the operator and ground crew at all times
- Have a rescue plan in case the operator is incapacitated in the elevated bucket
Chainsaw Safety
- All chainsaw operators must wear full PPE: hard hat, eye protection, hearing protection, chainsaw chaps or pants, and cut-resistant boots
- Inspect the chain tension, sharpness, and bar condition before each use
- Never operate a chainsaw above shoulder height while on the ground
- Maintain a minimum 10-foot clearance between the chainsaw and other workers
- Use proper bore-cutting and hinge techniques for controlled felling
PPE Requirements
Personal Protective Equipment is your last line of defense. It should be non-negotiable, properly fitted, and in good condition.
- Head protection: ANSI Z89.1 rated hard hat (Type I, Class E for electrical protection)
- Eye protection: ANSI Z87.1 rated safety glasses or face shield
- Hearing protection: Earplugs or earmuffs rated for chainsaw noise levels (105+ dB)
- Chainsaw protection: ASTM F1897 rated chainsaw chaps or pants
- Foot protection: ASTM F2413 rated cut-resistant boots with chain saw protection
- Hand protection: Cut-resistant gloves appropriate for the task
- High-visibility vest: Required for roadside work or any job near vehicular traffic
- Fall protection: Climbing saddle, lanyard, and helmet with chin strap for aerial work
How Technology Can Help
Safety is ultimately about people making good decisions. But technology can provide better information for those decisions.
Integrated weather data. Software that puts weather forecasts directly into your scheduling view means your dispatcher sees the wind speed before assigning a crew to an aerial job. No one has to remember to check the forecast separately. It is right there next to the job.
Wind speed alerts. Automatic alerts when wind speeds or gusts exceed your company's threshold ensure the information reaches the decision-maker, even on busy mornings when checking the weather might get skipped.
NWS severe weather warnings. Severe thunderstorm watches, tornado warnings, and high wind advisories pushed directly to your operations dashboard mean faster response times when conditions change.
Certification tracking. Software that tracks ISA certifications, pesticide applicator licenses, and safety training completions with expiry alerts means no crew member goes into the field with expired credentials.
Job documentation. Digital records of weather conditions at the time of each job, crew assignments, and safety assessments create a documentation trail that protects you in case of an incident or audit.
Arbor Dash integrates all of these safety tools directly into the scheduling and operations dashboard. Weather data, wind alerts, and NWS warnings are visible alongside your daily schedule, so safety decisions are made with real data, not guesswork. Learn more about Arbor Dash weather and safety features.
Final Thoughts
Safety is not a document you file and forget. It is a culture you build through daily habits, ongoing training, and systems that make safe decisions easier than unsafe ones. Use this checklist as a starting point, adapt it to your company's specific operations, and review it with your crews regularly.
Every member of your team deserves to go home safely at the end of every workday. No job, no deadline, and no customer request is worth a preventable injury or fatality.