Electrical Hazards Awareness Program

Electricity is a serious and widespread hazard to arborists. In fact, electricity causes about 15 percent of all fatalities in the tree care industry, making it the leading cause of worker fatalities.

EHAP Since even a street lamp circuit or phone line can be energized with enough voltage to kill, almost all arborists in the field have at least some exposure to this hazard. In fact, workers don’t even have to touch a wire to be electrocuted – about half of all electrocution fatalities are the result of indirect contact. Tree branches and other conductive objects are an ever-present threat for the industry.

All arborists must be trained to recognize and avoid these electrical hazards. Qualified line-clearance arborists must have additional knowledge about electrical hazards and the special techniques used to work safely near electrical conductors.

View a video from Xcel Energy about worker safety and electrical hazards

TCIA’s Electrical Hazards Awareness Program (EHAP)

TCIA’s Electrical Hazards Awareness Program (EHAP) is a great way to keep workers safe, ensure OSHA compliance, and document training.

EHAP will also augment your work in three other areas:

OSHA Safety Requirements

EHAP helps you meet the OSHA 1910.269 safety standard, which requires:

- Employer-certified training
Employers must certify that employees who work 10 feet or closer to energized conductors are trained in the special hazards involved in such work.

- On-the-job training and verification
Employers must verify through documented, on-the-job training and verification that these employees have the skills necessary to perform line-clearance job tasks safely.

*EHAP must be used in combination with documented on-the-job skills training and verification to meet OSHA 1910.269 requirements.

ANSI Safety Requirements
The ANSI Z133.1 safety standard for arboricultural operations requires all employees be trained to recognize electrical hazards. EHAP training meets the ANSI Z133.1 training requirement.

Storm Cleanup
EHAP is often required by the US Army Corps of Engineers in order to qualify for storm-related clean-ups. They have recognized the importance of the EHAP training program dating back to Hurricane Katrina.