Dead Tree Removal Near Power Lines
Dead trees close to power lines can be dangerous. Even if they do not touch it directly, their presence could still spark an electrical arc that can prove deadly for workers or anyone nearby. Have the Best information about tree removal milpitas.
Tree trimming jobs often necessitate working near overhead utility lines running along utility poles or directly from the ground to your house, and any contact with these lines – be it direct or indirect – can be fatal.
Identifying the Problem
Dead trees pose a grave danger to power lines. If a dead tree falls and strikes one of them, it could result in power outages or fires and is both an immediate safety risk and liability issue for property owners. Working near powerlines – whether higher voltage utility pole lines or service lines running from them into your house – requires special precaution and certified professional expertise; in particular electric shock is the leading cause of tree worker deaths (it doesn’t even need to involve direct contact between hands or tools with live wires); electrical shock may even happen through simple touches between hands or tools touching live wires!
Warning signs for ash trees to look out for include “D”-shaped exit holes, stubby branches and sawdust around their bases, and “S”-shaped galleries beneath their bark, among others.
Identifying the Lines
Some utility lines may be buried underground, while others run aboveground from a power pole to your house. No matter the source of electricity transmission, utility lines are dangerous and should never be approached directly; many tree worker deaths due to electrical shock occur when tree branches or pruning tools come close enough to them to accidentally touch them.
Downed wires pose an immediate electrocution or fire risk, so if you come across them it is wise to leave them be and contact the appropriate authorities immediately for assistance.
Property owners have the responsibility of trimming trees on their land regularly so they do not come too close to utility lines, but this does not entail doing it yourself. Even minor accidents near electricity can prove fatal; therefore only professional arborists must work in this sensitive area. It is far too easy for errors to be made when working near live wires – even the slightest wind gust could cause branches or leaves to come into contact with live power lines and pose a real danger both to yourself and other workers on site.
Clearing the Area
When dealing with dead trees that need to be cleared away near power lines, it’s best to entrust this work to professionals. Not only could an electric shock be fatal; but there may also be additional complications when doing it yourself.
At first, tree removal or trimming near utility lines requires experience and precision. Most lines run underground; others run aboveground between utility poles and your home and need to remain clear of any debris or limbs.
In many areas, it’s illegal to trim or remove trees within 10 feet of primary power lines for safety reasons; not only could it endanger workers but it could disrupt power supplies to other homes and businesses as well. If the tree in question lies on private property then it’s up to the homeowners themselves to take care of this work.
When performing a DIY tree removal, the area around it must be cleared of clutter so there is ample space for its fall flat. Pull any weeds or cut any grass that might get in the way and make sure everything that could impede your work has been removed first.
To safely remove a tree, you will require access to either a crane or bucket truck, especially if there are electrical wires nearby. Depending on the circumstances surrounding your situation, cutting up and transporting away small pieces may be viable solutions as well.
Removing the Tree
Many people do not realize that being near power lines, even without touching them directly, can still be dangerous due to electricity’s arcing around wires and creating an electrocution risk.
Professional tree removal near power lines should always be undertaken when necessary to prevent potential risks to utility lines from the tree’s presence. A tree professional is equipped with all of the appropriate tools, equipment, and training required for safely extracting any tree near utility lines.
As part of their initial process, contractors work with the power company to make sure that any lines being worked on are turned off before beginning any work. When possible, cranes may also be utilized; this method tends to be safer than bucket trucks but may become challenging due to obstacles like buildings, trees, or no space available for ‘parking’ them.
Massachusetts law makes it illegal to trim or remove trees within 10 feet of primary power lines without being certified as an OSHA-compliant line clearance worker, for the safety of both workers and other properties and people affected. Furthermore, 17% of all tree care worker deaths result from electrocution incidents.