treehumper
Carpal tunnel level member
- Location
- Ridgefield, NJ
There are other industries that became safer than tree worker because of a mindset change. Safety became a priority and the workers we allowed to work safely first. Tree work still has a problem with the macho, dick swinging mentality that kills and maims. Read the ANSI standards for safe work practices and follow them, no shortcuts. Be like the old bull, approach every job with slow deliberation, eyes wide open with a set plan to assess the tree, work zone, obstacles and hazards. Know your species and their strengths and weaknesses.
Learn about the gear used in this business and how they function together. Much of this you're intimately familiar with as a physics teacher. Research the local companies and how they market themselves to find the ones that do things professionally and safely. Hook up with one to get some insider knowledge. Start on the ground and learn how to be an effective groundman. Climb recreationally until you get the opportunity to climb professionally.
When my wife and I were dating she came out to the job and fell in love with it. She then began working as my ground person and understood what it took to do the job. I always talked about safety and the proper practices that gave her the sense that I took it seriously and understood the dangers. She always says, she's more concerned about the commute than the work!
It is not the work that makes our industry a leader in fatality and injury statistics, its the attitude. Avoid that and you'll do much better. As for stats, Dr. John Ball as mentioned and check out the drip line website for the news related to tree work including accidents. It's an eye opener but you'll very quickly see where the underlying problems lay.
I jumped back into the business at 43 and have not regretted it ever.
Learn about the gear used in this business and how they function together. Much of this you're intimately familiar with as a physics teacher. Research the local companies and how they market themselves to find the ones that do things professionally and safely. Hook up with one to get some insider knowledge. Start on the ground and learn how to be an effective groundman. Climb recreationally until you get the opportunity to climb professionally.
When my wife and I were dating she came out to the job and fell in love with it. She then began working as my ground person and understood what it took to do the job. I always talked about safety and the proper practices that gave her the sense that I took it seriously and understood the dangers. She always says, she's more concerned about the commute than the work!
It is not the work that makes our industry a leader in fatality and injury statistics, its the attitude. Avoid that and you'll do much better. As for stats, Dr. John Ball as mentioned and check out the drip line website for the news related to tree work including accidents. It's an eye opener but you'll very quickly see where the underlying problems lay.
I jumped back into the business at 43 and have not regretted it ever.
