What
We Do
Line Clearance Tree Trimmers
December 1998 IBEW Journal
 There
are more than 50 IBEW locals, representing thousands of
members, working in a craft that is not publicized nearly as frequently
as others--line clearance tree trimming. Some say "Oh, that’s
an easy job, just trimming back tree branches," but clearly,
it’s not that simple. When average citizens look up and see
tree branches growing across power lines and heavy tree limbs hanging
precariously over electric wires, they don’t realize how much
is involved in keeping the lines clear when removing endangering
tree limbs. Tree trimmers are always at risk--falls, electrocution
and more. Procedures that are dangerous under routine conditions
are even more hazardous when performed during the massive clean-up
efforts that follow natural disasters. The National Institute of
Safety and Health (NIOSH) has said that the tree-trimmer jobs are
one of the most hazardous in America.
 For
IBEW tree trimmers, it means maintaining proper clearance
for energized conductors; it means being knowledgeable about varied
species of tree-and-growth patterns--a prerequisite for doing the
job correctly; it means having knowledge of the potential hazards
that come with working near live utility lines, conductors or under
transmission lines; and it means, for those members who, like Local
94, Cranbury, New Jersey, Brothers, go that extra mile to meet their
customers when seeking permission to trim a customer’s tree
for the utility that employs them. "Their appearance, demeanor
and expertise compliments the image of the utility, especially when
members are betwixt the property owners wishes and the utility,
which may very well have another opinion," said 72-year-old,
Local 94 member N. "Doc" Petite, whose members also provide
removal services, weed control by consistent chemical spraying,
as well as clearance of all trees, stumps and leafy growths as required
by the initial right-of-way on proposed transmission construction.
Among the IBEW tree-trimming/line clearance locals are
Missouri Locals 2 , 53 and 95; Local 3, New York, NY; Local 9, Chicago,
IL; Local 17 and 58, Detroit, MI; Local 42, Hartford, CT; Local
44, Butte, MT; Local 51, Springfield, IL; Local 55, Des Moines,
IA; Local 57, Salt Lake City, UT; Local 70, Washington, D.C.; Local
71, Columbus, OH; Local 77, Seattle, WA; Local 84, Atlanta, GA;
Local 101, Somerset, KY; Local 108, Tampa, FL; Local 111, Denver,
CO; Local 117, Elgin, IL; Local 125, Portland, OR; Local 126, Philadelphia,
PA; Local 160, Minneapolis, MN; Local 175, Chattanooga, TN; Local
258, Vancouver, B.C., Canada; Local 876, Grand Rapids, MI; Local
953, Eau Claire, WI; 1260, Honolulu, HI; and Local 2150, Milwaukee,
WI.
 Petite
speaks for every tree-trimmer in the IBEW when he remarked,
"This unsurpassed group of IBEW workers specializes
in quality and production for every facet of intricate and potentially
dangerous utility work." Local 94 Business Manager Charles
Wolf added, "Like many of our Brothers and Sisters, during
this year, and even before, we faced the worse, most damaging ice
storm ever seen in the Northeast, and our members performed more
than admirably in many states and in Canada, under the most trying
conditions..." IBEW members are a great asset to the
utilities they serve and are proud to exclaim, IBEW tree-trimmers,
the absolute cream of the crop--for any season, any reason."
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