Often, homeowners are surprised to learn that arborists must be specially trained to trim trees near electric lines. The required training and certification ensure that arborists follow the laws set forth by OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration). International tree safety standards, referred to as ANSI Z133, provide additional guidelines that ensure adherence to the OSHA laws.
Qualified line clearance arborists are trained to work within 10 feet of energized power equipment and power lines. They have the knowledge to determine the voltage of various lines and use proper techniques and equipment to perform their tasks safely. Their training is crucial since the primary-line voltages at the top tier of utility poles usually are 100 times greater than normal household current.
An article published in TCIA’s June 2023 monthly magazine puts the dangers of working around electric lines, “Good conductors, such as copper or aluminum wire, offer very little resistance and are not damaged by electrical flow. Other materials, like the filament in an incandescent light bulb or the element in an electric stove, are designed to offer a certain level of resistance and give off light or heat. It should be clear that the human body is conductive, offers resistance and will heat up and be severely burned by the flow of electricity.”
Follow this link for more information on the OSHA website:
eTool : Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution – Overhead Line Work – Line-Clearance Tree Trimming Operations | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (osha.gov)
In March of 2024, Jake Gerrein attended a five day training in Arlington, Texas through ACRT, licensed by the Ohio Board of Career Colleges and Schools. During Jake’s course, he performed a safe aerial rescue and learned to identify electrical hardware and understand the functionality of the electrical grid. His training culminated with written and hands-on examinations covering general arboriculture knowledge, the ANSI Z133 safety standards, aerial rescue/lift operation, and electrical hardware identification. The certification is nationally recognized and required by OSHA to work within 10 foot of energized lines.
FAQ Utility Line Clearance vs Homeowner | Davey Tree
Incidental Line Clearance: What Arborists Need to Know (tcia.org)