Beaver dam removal is a common task for public works crews, particularly in areas where flooding, culvert blockages, or roadway washouts are concerns. While most safety discussions focus on physical hazards such as sudden water release or unstable footing, there is a lesser-known risk that deserves …
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In public works operations, few hazards are as unpredictable and deadly as a “widowmaker.” This term refers to a broken tree or large limb that remains suspended in another tree after a storm, high winds, snow load, or improper cutting. These hung-up trees can fall without warning, creat…
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Winter storms often leave public works crews facing downed trees, hanging limbs, and debris blocking roadways. Snow, ice, freezing temperatures, and limited daylight significantly increase the hazards associated with chainsaw operations. Proper planning, correct PPE, and disciplined cutting techniqu…
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Wild parsnip is becoming more common along roadsides, drainage ditches, utility corridors, and unmowed rights of way. For public works employees, it is more than just an invasive weed. Its sap can cause a painful skin reaction called phytophotodermatitis, which results in severe blistering when the …
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Public works crews spend long hours outdoors cutting brush, maintaining rights of way, clearing drainage channels, and inspecting stormwater structures. These tasks often take workers into undeveloped areas where poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac thrive. Exposure can lead to painful rashes, l…
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