PPE Series
Sprains, Strains, and Falls Building a Safety Culture That Protects Arborists at Every Level By Mara Watts
Falls from heights and chainsaw acci- dents often dominate safety conversa- tions in the tree care industry. These incidents are dramatic, sometimes catastrophic, and they rightfully de- mand attention. Yet focusing only on the big, headline-making accidents overlooks the equally damaging in- juries that happen quietly every day. Twisted ankles, strained shoulders, and overexerted backs may not seem as severe in the moment, but they accumulate over time—costing work- ers their health and companies their productivity. The truth is, safety in arboriculture is not a matter of choosing which type of injury to prioritize. It is about rec- ognizing that both the obvious and the overlooked can be career-ending if ignored. By giving equal weight to the prevention of catastrophic falls and everyday sprains, the industry can build a safety culture that truly protects arborists — on the ground, in the canopy, and everywhere in between.
These seemingly “minor” injuries ac- cumulate, often causing more impact down the line for tree care workers; quietly costing individuals and com- panies time and productivity. Left underreported and untreated, these injuries can turn into chronic condi- tions that shorten careers and affect company performance. This then spurs the conversation around safety in arboriculture. It is not just about avoiding major acci- dents — rather, it is about prevent- ing the trivial: slips, trips, repetitive strains, and falls. By focusing on both types, the industry can build a safety culture that protects arborists on and off the ground. SLIPS AND TRIPS On any jobsite, debris, uneven ter- rain, and fatigue create opportunities for slips and trips. Simple as they may seem, these incidents account for more claims and lost workdays than nearly any other injury.
MINOR INJURIES, MAJOR CONSEQUENCES
“The most common injuries in our in- dustry aren’t the ones you read about — they’re sprains, strains, and pulls,” said Bill Burley, founder of Heli-Ax .
Seemingly minor injuries can be just as damaging in the long-run as more dramatic accidents.
ArborTIMES™ Fall 2025 | 27
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