Land clearing can look different from one property to the next. For some, it might mean removing overgrown trees, while another property owner might need years’ worth of brush removed to prepare a site for construction. Whatever the project, the physical demands and potential hazards can be significant. Homeowners who take the time to understand what they are dealing with before the project starts will be in a much stronger position to see it through without incident.
Understand What Is Below the Surface
Before any equipment is moved to the site, knowing what’s underground is a must. Utility lines for gas, electrical and water are buried throughout most residential and commercial properties. Not knowing what’s there and accidentally hitting one during clearing can have serious consequences. Contact your local utility service before work begins and ask them to identify all underground lines and mark them properly.
Verify Your Contractor’s Credentials
Land clearing is no job for an unlicensed contractor with a chainsaw. Before hiring anyone, confirm that the contractor you choose carries the appropriate licenses for your area and has both liability insurance and workers compensation coverage. Ask specifically about their experience with projects similar to yours. A contractor who’s reluctant to provide this information probably doesn’t have the kind of track record you’re looking for.
Account for Anything Around the Clearing Zone
Trees and brush don’t always fall where you want them to. Fencing, vehicles and utility poles near the clearing zone are at risk if the work isn’t carefully planned out. Walk the perimeter of the project area with your contractor before work begins. Identify anything that needs protection or temporarily relocated. Creating a buffer zone around those areas and communicating those boundaries to your contractors reduces the chance of property damage.
Keep Bystanders Away From Work Areas
Heavy machinery operating in close proximity to people who aren’t part of the work crew is dangerous. Equipment blind spots and falling debris make active land clearing sites unsafe for anyone without proper training and protective gear. Keep children and pets away from the area for the duration of the project. If the work area is near a shared property line, notify your neighbors as well.
Plan for Debris and Waste Removal
Confirm with your contractor how debris will be staged while work is in progress and removed from the property when it’s finished. Piles of cleared material left in the wrong location can create tripping hazards and become fire hazards as well.
Land clearing projects usually move quickly once started, which is why pre-project preparation is so important. Marking off utility lines, vetting your contractor, and protecting people, pets, and property aren’t just precautions. They’re the foundation of any project that’s completed efficiently while reducing the risk of injury. If you live in Birmingham, AL or a surrounding area and need land clearing services, make your first call to Gray’s Tree Service.
