Keeping trees carefully trimmed is important to prevent falling branches from injuring people passing by. Unfortunately, the tree trimming process itself can be inherently dangerous, not just to workers doing the trimming, but also to others in the vicinity of where the tree is being cut. Reasonable precautions for ensuring worker safety must be taken by those who employ tree trimmers, while the trimmers and their employers are both expected to be responsible and make safe choices to protect the public.
Unfortunately, sometimes shortcuts are taken or mistakes are made during the tree trimming process. These errors can lead to a significant risk of injury or death. New York injury attorneys can help victims who experience harm by ensuring that they understand who is accountable and explaining how to get benefits or compensation for losses.
A Closer Look at the Risks
New York Daily News reported on one especially dangerous incident in which tree trimmers were putting passersby in significant danger. A contractor from the Parks Department was on a busy street in Brooklyn pruning trees and large branches were falling to the ground. There was no yellow tape or cones used and no other warnings to passersby that the crew in cherry pickers were chopping off dead limbs in a well-traveled area.
A spokesperson for the Parks Department responded to the controversy about the risks being created to those who were on the road. The spokesperson said no safety rules had been broken. Reportedly, the Department follows rules promulgated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as well as following “best in class American National Standards Institute,” regulations.
However, the Department is actually in the midst of reviewing safety protocols following the death of a deliveryman who was hit by a tree branch chopped down by a contracted firm. Officials have drawn a distinction between the process of pruning trees, in which there have been reportedly no injuries to the public in the past 30 years, and cutting down trees, which is what caused the recent death.
Critics, however, indicate there are risks and problems with the entire tree pruning and removal process that the Parks Department is undertaking. A total of 39 contracts for tree pruning and tree removal were negotiated with the city since Hurricane Sandy, but state representatives have begun contacting the Parks Department asking for a review of the protocol for hiring contractors.
A Brooklyn City Councilman has also drafted four bills, including a new proposed bill that would require certified arborists be used for routine work. Another proposed new bill would mandate that the company doing the tree work must issue reports each time a falling limb hurts someone.
Prevention of injuries from tree trimming or cutting needs to be a top priority because falling branches could cause death or devastating injury in only a split second. Victims should pursue a claim for damages if they find themselves harmed by the trimming or cutting process. Contact Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff today. We assist victims in making their claims.