Apex Tree Care owner Ben Pulcino prepares to safely drop a hazard tree near Wasilla.
Forestry work is inherently dangerous on many levels. In Alaska, arborists working in the tree care industry encounter hazards such as falls from heights, electrical exposures, struck-by falling objects, elevated noise, and logging equipment such as chainsaws and chippers. This important work must be done to protect people and property, as well as for preventative maintenance such as powerline easement cutting and trimming for utility operations.
This work is sometimes conducted during and after natural events like windstorms, wildfires, and ice storms, adding additional exposures to an already risk-filled endeavor. According to studies, climber falls were the leading incident for severe nonfatal injuries for this occupation. Other major causes of severe, nonfatal injury included ground workers being struck by a falling branch, chainsaw incidents, and falls from aerial equipment…