Pruning trees is, in general, a dangerous proposition and pruning trees near power lines only magnifies that risk. Quoting from the Center for Disease Control, “Data from the NIOSH National Traumatic Occupational Fatalities (NTOF) Surveillance System indicate that 6,359 traumatic work-related deaths occurred annually in the United States during the period 1980-89 [NIOSH 1993].
For the 10-year period, 9% (6,105) of the total fatalities were due to falls, and 7% (4,491) resulted from electrocutions. For the same period, the NTOF data also show that at least 207 workers involved in tree trimming and cutting (about 21 each year) died from injuries sustained at work.
The two leading causes of death among tree trimmers were electrocutions (74 workers, or 36%) and falls (67 workers, or 32%).” (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/92-106)
According to the Tree Care Industry Association, electrocution is consistently one of the Top 2 killers of tree workers every year (http://tcia.org/news/safety/occupational-tree-care-accidents-2013).
Simply put, working with trees near utility lines can be deadly. Part of the program’s commitment to safety is to reduce the number of times tree care workers are required to be in high-risk situations. By managing the growth of trees while maintaining the health of these trees reduces the need for pruning and removal of trees near power lines.
