Safety First Click Here for a PDF of Safety First KNOW WHAT YOU PICK! Make sure fruits, nuts, seeds and pods are correctly identified by knowledgeable people. Never eat anything that is not properly identified. LOOK UP for power lines, roofs and overhead obstacles. Locate any wires or cables that run through the tree canopy. Stay clear of all overhead lines, wires, cables and other obstacles, even if you need to leave fruit unpicked. If pruning is needed near overhead powerlines, hire a licensed trimmer to do this work safely. LOOK DOWN for holes, tools, cactus, rattlesnakes, and other hazards. If you will be digging, contact Arizona811 to request locating services for underground utilities between the street and on-site meter boxes. Contact private utility locating services to mark underground utilities on the rest of private sites. Do not dig over or near underground utilities. WEAR PROTECTIVE CLOTHING. Sturdy gloves, eye coverings, long-sleeve shirts, long pants and closed-toed shoes can protect you from scratches, pokes and insects. WATCH OUT FOR BEES. Any honeybee you encounter in Arizona could be an aggressive “Africanized bee.” If you encounter a feral beehive around trees, get all people out of the area immediately and consult with a professional beekeeper or licensed pest control company on next steps. KEEP FIRST AID AT HAND. Have easily accessible and well-equipped first aid kits at the site and discuss safety practices before starting work. Ask if anyone has health or safety issues, such as allergies to bee stings or to the fruits or nuts being picked. PRACTICE TOOL SAFETY. Use the right tools and equipment for the job. Lean tools against trees rather than setting them on the ground where they could become tripping hazards. Watch your sides and back when swinging tools around. Understand and use proper lifting techniques. Use lifting and moving equipment for heavy containers. LADDERS. If ladders are used, they should be well built, sturdy and safe. Only physically able people should be on a ladder, with a person standing at the base (spotter). Do not over-reach to pick fruit too far above or to the side of the ladder. Instead, move or extend the ladder to safely reach the fruit. CAUTION. Bacteria, mold, fungus, bird droppings and other materials can contaminate fruits, nuts, seeds and pods. DO NOT collect off the ground. DO NOT harvest food with dark spots, mold or other problems. This is especially important for mesquite pods. |
When using a ladder, as in this olive harvest, work in pairs with someone standing at the base of the ladder to stabilize it. Do not over reach to access produce, move the ladder to a better position instead. |
CAUTION: Never eat anything that is not properly identified. It is your responsibility to ensure that all fruits, nuts, seeds, pods and other edible products of trees and shrubs are correctly identified and safe to eat before eating them or serving them to others.
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This website and other LEAF Network products shown here was prepared under the Diverse Urban Forest grant, WCG 14-501, administered by the Arizona Community Tree Council. Funds for this project were provided by the Urban and Community Forestry Financial Assistance Program administered through Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management – Urban and Community Forestry Program and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service. In accordance with Federal law and USDA policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability (Not all prohibited basis applies to all programs). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.