Free training for tree care workers

The Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) is offering free virtual workshops this winter to further employee training and education. These workshops will cover TCIA’s industry-leading education by offering workshops on Electrical Hazards Awareness Program (EHAP), Ground Operations, and Aerial Lift Safety. The December workshops can be found at www.tcia.org/Susan-Harwood-Grant. More dates will be announced in early 2023. 

These free half and full-day online live workshops train tree care workers on specific hazards in the tree care industry. They are completely virtual and are financed by a federal grant from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).  These workshops are designed to help keep workers safe, ensure OSHA compliance and document training. 

The December workshops will focus on TCIA’s Electrical Hazards Awareness Program, Ground Operations 2: Chipper Specialist and the Ground Operations 3: Chain Saw Specialist. 

The Susan Harwood Training Grant Program provides funding for nonprofit organizations to conduct hands-on training and educational programs for employers and workers on the recognition, avoidance, and prevention of safety and health hazards in their workplaces. 

“Tree care is one of the most dangerous industries,” said Peter Gerstenberger, TCIA’s senior VP for Industry Expertise. “This training and education helps workers identify and eliminate hazards to help ensure that every worker returns home safely at the end of the day.” 

Financed 100 percent through federal funds, they are being offered to employees from companies with less than 250 employees, specifically targeting low-literacy and hard-to-reach workers. 

The retail value for these workshops is up to $141.99 and attendees who complete them will also be eligible for the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and Certified Treecare Safety Professional (CTSP) program Continuing Education Units (CEUs). 

“With the help of this grant, we can work toward keeping workers safe,” said Gerstenberger. “We want safety training to be available to all workers to help reduce injuries and fatalities which can be prevented if workers are trained properly.” 

For dates and details on the upcoming events, visit https://www.tcia.org/Susan-Harwood-Grant or call 800-733-2622.