Safety Precautions to Observe During Stump Grinding
Not only is the pesky stump in your front yard an eyesore, but it also puts your family at risk of injuries, especially if your property is not well-lit. Therefore, it is critical to remove any tree stumps from your property as fast as possible, and the best way to do so is by grinding it down instead of digging it out. A stump grinder does an excellent job at this. However, as with any other landscaping work, safety during stump grinding is critical. The last thing you want to do is to injure yourself or passersby or damage property with projectiles. This article looks at essential safety tips to observe during a DIY stump grinding project.
Rent a Light Stump Grinder -- The first thing you should know is that stump grinders come in different sizes. Big grinders are used for commercial proposes, especially in land clearing projects. The grinders are characteristically heavy and cumbersome and, thus, challenging to operate for the average person. Therefore, you would be ill-advised to rent such a stump grinder even if you want to grind multiple tree stumps. The reason why is that it is challenging to handle a big grinder, and that might expose you to accidents. A light stump grinder is the best choice for a DIY stump grinding project because such grinders are easy to operate.
Locate Utility Lines -- It is extremely dangerous to begin stump grinding without finding out what lies beneath the surface. Unfortunately, this is precisely what most people do, and it is akin to attacking an enemy without conducting reconnaissance. Most utility companies bury their infrastructure, such as gas lines, water lines and electric cables, underground. Therefore, if you start grinding away a tree stump blindly, you risk severing utility lines. Consult your local utility company to establish the position of utility lines. You need to hire professional tree service providers if crucial utility lines are running below a project area.
Secure a Work Area -- Stump grinding throws all manner of projectiles -- rocks, pebbles and tree splinters -- into the air, and these can cause severe injuries and damage to adjacent properties. Therefore, it is crucial to first secure the area around a tree stump before you begin the grinding process. The best approach is to raise a canvas or PVC sheet around the tree stump to block any projectiles from flying beyond the work area.
To learn more, contact a company that offers stump grinding services.
