WORKING SAFELY AROUND TREES
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EYING THE SOLAR ECLIPSE
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RISING STARS AND CHAMPIONS CLUB
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Operating tools or machinery to trim or remove trees is one of the most common activities resulting in fatalities among workers in our industry (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) These fatalities typically occur when workers fall from heights, are struck by falling objects (tree sections or branches), or are electrocuted As with other accidents, the vast majority of those associated with tree trimming and removal work can be prevented when we recognize hazards and plan and take precautions accordingly
What are some things you should know before beginning tree trimming or removal work?
• Our company’s rules and safe work procedures for dealing with electrical hazards; climbing, felling, topping, and pruning trees; and using mobile equipment, hand, and portable power tools, ladders and fallprotection equipment, and other protective gear If you’re unsure of any of these guidelines, ask your supervisor for training and review the company’s Safety and
Health Program
• Wear all PPE we require
• Inspect trees for structural weakness before cutting
• Examine all equipment before each use Pay special attention to spark plug caps on tools you’ll use to prune trees The rubber caps often become worn, which can cause you to be shocked while using the tool If this happens, you could fall or drop the equipment, which may cut your legs or feet
• Tell a supervisor about damaged, defective, or worn equipment
How should you handle working near overhead utility lines?
• Most overhead electric lines are energized and uninsulated Avoid all
Commercial Construction Crew Member
Luis Salazar won first place in our March Picture Contest and earned 500 Bonusly points for this sunrise photo, a timer selfie taken at a jobsite in Collierville PHOTO BY
LUIS SALAZARcontact, both direct and indirect, unless a utility company has verified the lines are no longer energized
What precautions should you take?
• Establish a safe zone
so you and others avoid working under trees being trimmed or removed
• Don’t jump off ladders or climb up or down them while holding equipment
• Don’t use conductive
tools or materials (metal pole pruners, for instance) near electric lines or conductors Substitute nonconductive devices made of wood or fiberglass
While some of North America experienced a rare total solar eclipse on April 8, in Memphis and North Mississippi only a partial eclipse was visible
According to nasa gov, a total solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the sun. A partial solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, but only partially blocks the sun’s light This creates a crescent-shaped sun and causes the sky to dim, but it does not result in total darkness like a full solar eclipse
The partial eclipse was visible in the Memphis and North Mississippi region starting around 12:38 p m The eclipse reached its maximum coverage around 1:57 p.m. – when 97-98 percent of the sun was covered – and ended just after 3 p m
Observers were cautioned to not look directly at the sun during the eclipse, but instead to wear approved solar eclipse glasses, use a handheld solar viewer, or watch it indirectly through a pinhole projector
A few team members at The Landscape Center brought glasses rated safe for direct solar viewing to work that day, gathering on the patio to view the partial eclipse
People located in the center of the moon’s shadow when it hit Earth experienced a total eclipse The sky darkened as if it were dawn or dusk, and the sun was completely blocked
The next total solar eclipse that will be visible from the United States will be on Aug 23, 2044
Our Spring Safety Rodeo was Thursday, April 25, from 1-5 p m at The Landscape Center This annual event provided safety tips, reinforced existing ones, and allowed our Commercial Construction, Commercial Maintenance, and Lawn Care team members to train on our equipment
Safety Rodeo sponsors were Equipment Share, SiteOne, and Stateline Turf & Tractor After rotating through training sessions, participants enjoyed a catfish and chicken dinner from Romie’s Grocery
Thank you to all team members and sponsors for helping us promote a safer work environment.
Ginny Shikle, Marketing and Communications Specialist
Crew Member/Driver Andy Godinez-Gabriel was nominated for our Caught Being Kind recognition by FOM Todd Williams for rescuing an injured rabbit at a Commercial Maintenance property Thank you, Andy, for Doing the Next Right Thing!
AUGHT BEING KIND have you caught someone being kind? scan here to nominate them.
