Storm-Damage and Downed-Limb Cleanup Safety

Key Hazards

• Electrocution from downed or damaged power lines and energized objects
• Workers struck by unstable trees, hanging limbs, trunks, or released tension
• Chainsaw and chipper injuries during irregular storm cleanup
• Workers struck by traffic, loaders, grapple trucks, and emergency vehicles
• Cuts, punctures, falls, and strains from wet, sharp, and unstable debris
• Fatigue and changing weather reducing judgment and situational awareness

2–3 Minute Talk Script

Storm cleanup begins in an environment that may still be changing. Crews should pause before cutting or moving debris and assess power lines, unstable trees, traffic, flooding, structures, weather, equipment access, and public exposure.

All downed wires should be treated as energized. Workers should remain clear of wires and objects that may be energized, including trees, fences, vehicles, water, signs, and communication lines, until the responsible utility confirms the condition is safe.

Storm-damaged trees can contain broken tops, suspended limbs, split trunks, uprooted root plates, and wood under extreme tension or compression. Only trained and equipped workers should cut material whose movement cannot be predicted and controlled.

Chainsaws, chippers, loaders, grapples, cranes, and trucks should be inspected and used within established work zones. Workers on foot should remain outside swing radii, drop zones, chipper infeed and discharge areas, and the path of pulled or lifted material.

Traffic and public access should be controlled before debris is moved from roads, sidewalks, yards, and parks. Drivers may ignore closures, and residents may approach damaged trees or equipment to observe or recover property.

Workers should identify stable footing and escape paths before cutting. Wet slopes, hidden holes, ice, mud, sharp roofing, nails, glass, and tangled wire can cause falls and injuries during movement around debris.

Debris piles and transport loads should be built and secured so material cannot roll, slide, or fall. Workers should avoid climbing unstable piles or standing beneath suspended limbs and loads.

Long shifts and repeated emergency calls can increase mistakes. Crews should use briefings, check-ins, rest, hydration, lighting, and relief staffing and should stop when weather, darkness, fatigue, electrical uncertainty, or tree instability exceeds their capability.

Safety Reminders

• Treat every downed wire and contacted object as energized.
• Assess trees for hanging limbs, splits, root movement, and stored tension.
• Use trained workers and suitable equipment for complex cutting.
• Control traffic, public access, equipment zones, and drop areas.
• Maintain stable footing and planned escape routes.
• Secure debris piles and transport loads.
• Stop when weather, fatigue, darkness, or instability exceeds safe limits.

Ask the Crew

• Are downed lines or potentially energized objects present?
• What limbs, trunks, or root systems may move unexpectedly?
• Where are the drop zones, equipment zones, and escape paths?
• How will traffic and the public be kept away?
• What condition requires utility, arborist, crane, or additional emergency support?