Arborist Safety Gear Essentials: Protecting Yourself on the Job
Introduction
If you had to make a list of inherently dangerous professional service jobs, an arborist wouldn't necessarily be on it. This is, unfortunately, a common misconception.
According to one recent study conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the nonfatal rate of injury for tree workers in particular is about 239 instances per 10,000 workers. To put that into perspective, the average across all industries is just 89 per 10,000 workers.
With a statistic like that in mind, it should be clear that an investment in arborist safety gear should be a number one priority during your career. Just a few examples of that type of safety gear include:
- Helmets and head protection equipment, which prevent head injuries from falling debris and other objects.
- Eye protection, which includes things like safety glasses and face shields.
- Hearing protection, which can prevent long-term damage from sustained periods of exposure to loud noises.
- Hand protection, which provides protection against cuts, abrasions, and even unexpected impacts.
- Foot protection, which can help reduce the risk of foot injuries by way of sturdy, protective footwear.
- Climbing gear, which can include options like harnesses and ropes.
- High-visibility clothing, which can help make sure that you and your employees always remain visible, even in very busy areas or areas with poor lighting conditions.
Helmets and Head Protection
The Petzl Vertex Vent Helmet
By far, one of the most important types of equipment that professional arborists need to protect themselves has to do with helmets. Especially when you're working in unkempt areas, the likelihood that you'll encounter falling branches or other debris is high. Helmets help prevent not only minor head injuries but also major ones like concussions as well.
When looking for a helmet, be mindful of features like impact resistance. This will give you an indication of what types of falling objects you'll have adequate protection against. Ventilation is also a consideration for your comfort—particularly on those hot summer days.
One of the top recommendations in this category is the Petzl Vertex Vent Helmet, which retails for $99.95 and makes a great addition to any arborist's arsenal.
Eye Protection
Uvex by Honeywell Genesis Safety Glasses
Along the same lines, the importance of eye protection for a professional arborist cannot be overstated. When you encounter debris and other falling objects as an arborist, it isn't exclusively head injuries that you need to worry about. Not only will you be surrounded by sawdust, but there will also likely be harsh chemicals as well. Eye protection can help fend off all this.
When purchasing options like safety glasses or face shields, be sure to invest in ones that offer more than just impact resistance. You'll also want to consider things like UV protection, which will keep you protected on those warm, sunny summer days.
A top recommendation in this category are the Uvex by Honeywell Genesis Safety Glasses. They retail for just $12.99, and you'll want to make sure that everyone on your team has a pair.
Hearing Protection
3M Peltor X5A Over-the-Head Earmuffs
When it comes to working outside on tree trimming or landscaping, many people underestimate the importance of hearing protection. But when you think about how loud equipment like chainsaws can be—and how long you'll be exposed to that level of volume—it really is something you don't want to go without.
Options like earplugs are good, but earmuffs are even better. When shopping for a set of earplugs, you'll want to find ones that fit snugly inside the ear canal. Earmuffs should comfortably cover your entire ear, which has the added benefit of offering additional insulation for long periods of productivity.
A top recommendation in this category are the 3M Peltor X5A Over-the-Head Earmuffs. They retail for $27.99 and are great for sustained periods of tree cutting, branch trimming, and more.
Hand Protection
Youngstown General Utility Plus Gloves
When working as a professional arborist, it's essential to remember that problems like cuts can come from anywhere. Even if you're very skilled at using your inherently dangerous equipment, you still might run into issues with tree limbs, branches, and other yard debris. Not only do gloves keep your hands protected, but they're also designed in a way that lets you safely operate your equipment as well.
If you don't have access to anything else, a pair of leather gloves will at least protect you against straightforward cuts. Cut-resistant gloves, on the other hand, add an extra layer of protection that can stand up to potential issues you might encounter when working with sharp tools.
The Youngstown General Utility Plus Gloves are a great recommendation in this category, retailing for $24.99.
Foot Protection
Timberland Pro 6" Pit Boss Work Boots
Similarly to hand protection, foot protection gear is something that a lot of people don't typically pay enough attention to until it's too late. In reality, foot injuries are actually quite common among professional arborists. Consider that you'll not only be working around sharp tools but also heavy equipment. The last thing you want is to fracture your foot and become unable to walk, or to have a sharp tool puncture an inadequate pair of boots.
When investing in a pair of safety boots, look for ones with steel toes. These offer superior impact protection. Steel-toe boots are also often specifically designed for the types of working conditions that you'll consistently find yourself in and offer additional features like water protection as well.
Many professional arborists find a great deal of success with the Timberland Pro 6" Pit Boss Work Boot, which retails for $134.99, although there are many options that you may wish to explore depending on your unique needs.
Climbing Gear
Buckingham Ergovation Tree Saddle
Once you start regularly working on and around trees that are greater than ten feet in height, you'll begin to get a sense of just how crucial it is to have the right climbing gear by your side. You will regularly find yourself working for clients in environments where the terrain is challenging. This means that you'll not only want to make sure you bring a harness and a rope with you but also options like carabiners. These items need to be able to support your weight but also offer the flexibility required to move safely at the same time.
When purchasing these types of items, you need to emphasize factors like comfort and durability in addition to safety. A harness, for example, needs to have both an adjustable strap and padding to make sure that it doesn't just fit, but that it is comfortable, too.
One item that many professional arborists recommend is the Buckingham Ergovation Tree Saddle, which retails for $529.99.
High-Visibility Clothing
Ergodyne GloWear 8253HL High-Visibility Surveyor Vest
Last but not least, you'll need to invest in high-visibility clothing for both yourself and any employees who are working under your direction. Not every job that you take on for a client will be situated in a safe suburban yard. Many times you'll be working in busy environments, and often you'll have to operate in low-light conditions. This increases the chances not only of an accident among workers but also potential collisions with those in the surrounding area.
Great examples of high-visibility clothing you should look into include vests, jackets, and even specially designed pants. Look for high-visibility and generally bright colors, reflective light strips, and more. You need to make sure that you're able to be seen from a distance and that your visibility will not be obstructed even in uncertain and often ever-changing weather conditions.
A perfect example of this type of safety gear takes the form of the Ergodyne GloWear 8253HL High-Visibility Surveyor Vest. It retails for just $24.95. It's not the only piece of high-visibility clothing you'll want to take with you on your next job, but it is an excellent start.
Conclusion
A Certified Arborist Using Necessary Safety Gear
Overall, remember that the essential safety gear for arborists often extends outside the realm of the obvious. Yes, most people know that you should wear head protection or hand protection while operating this type of heavy machinery. But arborist protective equipment runs far deeper than that, too.
Hearing protection helps reduce the risk of long-term hearing damage from loud equipment. Foot protection mitigates the risk of foot injuries by way of sturdy, protective footwear. Climbing gear like harnesses and ropes make sure that you're able to safely navigate whatever environment you find yourself in, regardless of how uncertain or unwieldy.
You also want options that are built with your specific use case in mind. High-quality general-purpose safety gear and the best arborist safety gear are two different concepts and should be treated as such. Always invest in high-quality safety gear designed specifically for arborists to make sure that you stay safe on the job, no matter what.
If you'd like to find out more information about essential safety gear for arborists, or if you have any additional questions that you'd like to go over with someone in a bit more detail, please don't delay—contact us today. For regular updates and recommendations, you can also sign up for our newsletter. Prefer to follow us on social media? Links can be found at the bottom of this page! We can't wait for you to share your experiences with us!
