Arborists encounter several health and safety hazards in their work, including: 

• Falls: Arborists often work at heights, which can increase the risk of falls. 
• Contact with hazardous materials: Arborists may encounter hazardous materials, such as pesticides, herbicides, and fertilisers. 

• Exposure to noise: Arborists may be exposed to high levels of noise, which can impact their hearing. 
• Vibration: Arborists may be exposed to vibration from chainsaws and other power tools, which can damage the hands, arms, and shoulders. 
• Back injuries: Arborists may suffer from back injuries from lifting heavy objects or from working in awkward positions. 

To protect their health and safety, arborists should take the following precautions: 

• Wear personal protective equipment (PPE): Arborists should wear PPE, including hard hats, safety glasses, hearing protection, chaps, steel-toed boots, and gloves. 

• Complete training: Arborists should complete training in tree care and safety. 
• Be aware of the risks: Arborists should be aware of the risks associated with their work and take steps to mitigate those risks. 
• Follow safety procedures: Arborists should always follow safety procedures. 
• Inspect equipment: Arborists should inspect equipment for damage before use. 
• Take breaks: Arborists should take breaks throughout the day to avoid fatigue. 

• Report hazards: Arborists should report hazards to their supervisor or another person in charge. 

Additional safety tips for arborists: 

• Be aware of your surroundings: Always be aware of your surroundings and make sure you have a safe path to escape in case of an emergency. 
• Buddy up: If possible, work with a colleague when you are pruning or removing trees. This will ensure that someone is there to help you in case of an accident. 
• Plan your work: Before you start working on a tree, take some time out to plan your work and identify any potential hazards. 

• Use the right tools: Make sure you are using the right tools for the job. Using the wrong tools can increase the risk of accidents. 
• Take your time: Don’t rush when you are working on trees. Take your time and be cautious. 
• Get help when you need it: If you are not able to do a task safely, get help from a qualified arborist. 

By following these tips, arborists can help to stay safe and prevent accidents 

The iProtectU health and safety software provides: 

• An inspection and Audit App which allows for safety inspection of the workplace and associated report 
• eLearning on a wide range of EHS topics 
• Scheduling functionality for managers to send eLearning, risk assessments and documents out to all staff via the software with tracks completion and compliance 
• Risk assessment templates covering arborist safety 
• Management system to document control the policy on tree care safety 

• Method Statement module for the creation of work activity working instructions 
• Legal register that provides legislation guidance on arborist safety 
• Incident investigation module that tracks incidents involving tree care, both with an app and via desktop 
• Hazard observation app where staff can report and record any concerns regarding tree care and similar activities to the organisation 
• Asset management App ensuring assets are recorded in the software