Tree Service Safety Checklist — What Every Arborist Needs

Why Safety Checklists Save Lives in Tree Service

Tree care is one of the most dangerous occupations in Canada. According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, arborists face risks from falls, struck-by hazards, electrical contact, and chainsaw injuries every single day. Yet many tree service companies still rely on informal safety practices — a quick visual check and a "be careful out there."

A structured pre-job safety checklist isn't bureaucracy. It's the difference between a crew that goes home safe and one that doesn't. Studies show that industries using mandatory checklists see a 30–50% reduction in workplace incidents. Aviation figured this out decades ago. It's time arboriculture caught up.

The Pre-Job Safety Checklist: 6 Essential Categories

1. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Before anyone touches a piece of equipment, confirm every crew member has:

• CSA-approved hard hat (Class E for electrical protection) — replace after any impact or every 5 years
• Safety glasses or face shield — mesh visors for chainsaw work, impact-rated glasses for chipping
• Hearing protection — required when noise exceeds 85 dB (chainsaws typically produce 100–115 dB)
• Chainsaw chaps or pants — must meet CSA Z62.1 or ASTM F1897 standards
• Steel-toed boots with ankle support — CSA Grade 1 minimum
• High-visibility vest — required for any roadside or utility work
• Climbing harness and lanyard — inspected before each use, retired after any fall

2. Equipment Inspection

Check every piece of equipment before starting work:

• Chainsaws: Chain tension and sharpness, bar condition, chain brake function, anti-vibration mounts
• Chipper: Feed roller operation, discharge chute clear, emergency stop functional, knives sharp
• Bucket truck: Boom operation test, outrigger pads, hydraulic leaks, upper and lower controls
• Ropes and rigging: Inspect for fraying, cuts, abrasion, and UV damage — retire any rope with visible core exposure
• Climbing gear: Carabiners, pulleys, and friction devices — check for cracks, gate function, and wear

3. Hazard Assessment

Walk the job site before starting work and identify:

• Overhead power lines: Maintain minimum 3-metre distance (Ontario Regulation 213/91). If closer, contact the utility company
• Dead branches and hangers: Look up before climbing — widow-makers kill arborists every year
• Root zone hazards: Uneven ground, underground utilities, septic systems
• Public exposure: Sidewalks, driveways, neighbouring properties in the drop zone
• Weather conditions: Wind over 40 km/h means no climbing. Lightning within 30 km means stop all work
• Tree structural defects: Cavities, cracks, included bark, fungal fruiting bodies — any of these change the removal plan

4. Work Zone Setup

Proper work zone setup protects your crew and the public:

• Traffic control: Pylons, signage, and flaggers for roadside work — follow municipal traffic control plans
• Drop zone: Roped off with caution tape, no unauthorized personnel inside
• Escape routes: Two clear retreat paths for the faller, 45 degrees from the intended fall direction
• Communication plan: Establish hand signals or radio protocol before climbing begins

5. Emergency Preparedness

Every job site must have:

• First aid kit — stocked and inspected, with trauma supplies (tourniquets, pressure bandages)
• Emergency contact list — posted in every truck, including nearest hospital
• Aerial rescue plan — if someone is climbing, the ground crew must know the rescue procedure
• Fire extinguisher — in every truck, especially during dry conditions

6. Crew Briefing

Before the first cut, gather the crew and review:

• The work plan: what gets cut, in what order, where it falls
• Each person's role and position
• Identified hazards and mitigation measures
• Emergency procedures and who calls 911

Ontario and Quebec Regulatory Requirements

Both provinces have specific regulations that arborists must follow:

Ontario: The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and Ontario Regulation 213/91 cover tree work. Employers must have a written health and safety policy, conduct workplace inspections, and maintain training records. The Ministry of Labour can issue stop-work orders and fines up to $100,000 for individuals and $1.5 million for corporations.

Quebec: The CNESST (Commission des normes, de l'équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail) governs workplace safety. Arborists must follow the Regulation respecting occupational health and safety (ROHS). Employers with 20+ workers need a prevention program. Job site inspections can happen without warning.

Going Digital: Why Paper Checklists Aren't Enough

Paper checklists get lost, rained on, and forgotten in the truck. Digital checklists in a system like ArbreCRM are completed on a phone or tablet at the job site, automatically timestamped, and stored with the job record. If an incident occurs, you have documented proof that your safety protocol was followed — and that can make the difference in an insurance claim or regulatory investigation.

Digital checklists can also block job start until all items are checked, ensuring no crew skips the safety assessment because they're in a rush. It takes five minutes to complete, and those five minutes could save someone's life.

Key Takeaway

Safety isn't something you do when it's convenient — it's something you do every single time. Build a checklist, make it mandatory, and document it digitally. Your crew, your clients, and your insurance company will thank you.