Hillsborough County

5339 County Road 579

Seffner, Fl., 33584-3334

(813) 744-5519

Storm Cleanup – Safety First When Cleaning Up Fallen Trees and Branches!

Right after a storm homeowners usually rush outside to survey the damage and immediately begin clearing debris in an effort to restore some normalcy. Quite often they are ill-prepared to do the job at hand safely.

Cleaning up after a hurricane is an activity that involves dangerous situations, such as the use of chain saws and other powered equipment to remove fallen trees and branches. Most people do not realize that most injuries occur after hurricanes and other natural disasters, more specifically during cleanup!

After assessing your home for damages, the first priority is to determine if the tree poses a safety hazard (see UFL Assessing Tree-Damaged Trees and Deciding What to Do at Taking pictures of the damage before cleanup could help with insurance matters.

Inspect the site to determine whether there are any electrical hazards. Electrocution may occur if any part of your body touches a conductor (water, tool, tree branch, metal fence, etc.) in contact with an energized power line or cable. Stay away from any downed utility lines, telephone or cable lines and even fence wires. Be alert of electric wires dangling in trees. Assume all power lines are energized and do not touch.

Be aware that the combination of electrical wires and flooding creates a hazardous environment that requires extreme caution.

Beware of dangerous broken limbs that are hanging or caught in other branches overhead and may fall. Broken or hanging branches, attached vines or a leaning tree are hazardous and should be approached with caution. If you are uncertain consult certified arborist or urban forester for an evaluation of a tree's hazard potential.

Have a well-stocked first aid kit available and learn how to use it beforehand.

Heat, humidity and exertion can contribute to heat stress during clean-up. Whenever possible, take breaks away from the work area. Remember to eat and drink.

Homeowners should not attempt to use equipment they are not experienced in safely handling. If using a chain saw, a homeowner should only use it on the ground. Get a professional for all other situations.

Chain saws are considered one of the most dangerous hand tools available! The risk of injury increases during hurricane clean-up when chain saws are widely used to remove trees and branches. Unless you are experienced, you should leave chainsaw use to the professionals. When a chain saw is at full speed, more than 600 teeth pass a given point per second. The average chain saw injury requires 110 stitches.

If you are going to operate a chain saw:

  • Keep both hands on the handles. Remember that 35% of injuries are to hands or legs and are the result of using the chain saw one-handed. Again, make sure that the handle is free from oil or fuel.
  • Always cut at waist level or below. Ten percent of chain saw injuries are to the head and 10% to the upper body due to overhead cuts. Cutting at waist level or below will help prevent injuries to these areas.
  • Be alert of kickback. Kickback is the jumping up or backwards of the guide bar and chain when the tip of the guide bar touches another object during the cutting operation. It is the single greatest cause of injury to chain saw users. Kickback happens so fast that it is humanly impossible to act in response.
  • Keep in mind that it is difficult for people to hear each other when working on trees and operating powered equipment and chain saws.
  • Make sure the chainsaw is shut off and the safety lock is on when carrying it a distance of more than 100 feet, or through slippery areas or heavy brush. Did you know that a muffler on a chain saw can reach as much as 900 degrees F?

Remember Safety First!

•Wear the personal protective equipment

•Pay attention to your surroundings

•Follow safety tips closely to avoid preventable injuries, such as electrocution, overexertion, and chain saw injuries

•Get professional help if unsure of your ability to use chain saws or other powered equipment

Rob Northrop

Extension Forester

University of Florida IFAS - Hillsborough

Hillsborough County Extension is a cooperative service of Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners and the University of Florida.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M., University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating.