• Seek medical help. If no owner is found or the dog’s vaccination sta- tus cannot be determined, then visit a medical professional immediately. • Ensure safe transportation. Never let the victim drive themselves home or to the hospital after being bitten — this is a traumatic experience! One final safety note – while picking up poop is not pleasant, it’s better to scoop it into a plastic bag than try to wash it off your climbing or rigging line. Ask the homeowner to make sure that the yard is cleaned up first, but when inspecting the job site, scoop up and clear any dog poop that is in your work zone.
Stay safe, friends!
ABOUT THE AUTHORS Margaret Hebert is the owner of Streamside Green, LLC , a Louisiana and Texas company started in 2010. She is dedicated to keeping green in- dustry businesses growing and workers safe by providing high-quality training. SSG partners with Dawn and Jeff Thi- erbach with Victorian Gardens for its series of webinars, and Steve Martinko with Banner Sales & Consulting for our PHC/Science webinars. Most courses qualify for CEUs with ISA and/or TCIA. Sign up here for email announcements about SSG webinars.
If you are bitten by a dog on the job, it is crucial to provide immediate wound care and collect as much information about the pet as you can.
sible, clean minor wounds with soap and water, apply antibacterial cream, and bandage as needed. In severe cas- es, such as deep puncture wounds, the victim will need immediate medical treatment and should always be treat- ed by a medical professional. • Gather information about the dog. Obtain the dog’s vaccination records from the owner. If the owner is unavailable, ask witnesses for in- formation about the dog.
Residential Arborists: • Ask during the sale. Confirm whether the homeowner has dogs and note it on the job description. • Set clear expectations. Inform the homeowner that dogs should remain secured while arborists are present. • Include dog-related details in pre-job briefings.
Utility Arborists:
• Look for signs. During initial con- tact, observe for indications of dogs, such as digging or waste, and in- clude these details in reports. • Leave clear instructions. When leaving a notice, speak with the homeowner if possible and empha- size the need to secure their dogs. • Communicate with the crew. En- sure the foreman or general foreman discusses dog safety with the home- owner before entering enclosed areas. WHAT TO DO IF BITTEN • Assess the wound. Determine its severity. • Provide immediate care. When pos-
In the event of a bite, obtain the dog's vaccination records from the owner to assess any health risks.
66 | ArborTIMES™ Winter 2025
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