Preventing Fire and Theft Losses in Tree Care

Written by Eric Petersen, CIC

At ArboRisk, we talk a lot about controlling your risk. In tree care, there are plenty of things outside your control, like weather, customer expectations, and daily surprises on the jobsite. But when it comes to preventing equipment fires and theft losses, you do have the power to dramatically reduce your risk.

Well-maintained, secure equipment doesn’t just prevent costly insurance claims. It keeps your crews safe, minimizes downtime, and strengthens your reputation for professionalism. Below are the core practices we encourage every tree care company to build into their routine.

1. Clean and Inspect Equipment Regularly

A clean machine is a safe machine. Sawdust, chips, grease, and fuel residue build up fast, and all of it becomes fuel when heat or sparks enter the equation. Regular cleaning also exposes developing issues before they turn into failures.

ArboRisk Tip: Build equipment cleaning into your daily shutdown routine. A few minutes spent blowing out a chipper or wiping down a saw can prevent hours of downtime or worse; a total fire loss.

Key actions:

• Clean saws, chippers, and grinders after every shift

• Remove debris from engine compartments

• Conduct quick visual inspections daily, with documented inspections weekly

• Train crew leaders on what “not quite right” looks like

2. Replace Worn or Damaged Components Promptly

“Run it until it breaks” is not a profitable strategy. Worn parts create heat, cause breakdowns, and can spark fires; especially in high-load, high-friction operations like chipping and griding.

ArboRisk Tip: Empower your team to tag equipment out of service when they find damage. A culture where people feel safe speaking up leads to fewer losses.

Replace immediately if you see:

• Frayed or cracked hoses

• Leaking fuel or hydraulic systems

• Worn bearings or belts

• Exposed or damaged wiring

• Loose, missing, or damaged fasteners

3. Follow Manufacturer Lubrication Recommendations

Lubrication isn’t a suggestion; it’s a risk-control tool. Proper lubrication reduces friction, prevents overheating, and extends the lifespan of your equipment.

ArboRisk Tip: Create lubrication schedules for each machine and post them where crews store the equipment. Consistency wins.

Best practices:

• Use the exact lubricants specified by the manufacturer

• Maintain a lubrication log

• Train crews on proper lubrication points and intervals

• Tag machines when lubrication is overdue

4. Keep Fire Extinguishers Accessible and Maintained

Even with strong prevention practices, things happen. A functioning fire extinguisher can turn a potential claim into only a minor incident if your crews can access it quickly and know how to use it.

ArboRisk Tip: Perform a quick “extinguisher check” every Monday morning. Make it a habit, and you’ll never have an empty or expired unit when it matters.

Ensure that:

• Every truck and major piece of equipment has a properly rated extinguisher

• Extinguishers are inspected monthly and serviced annually

• Crews practice using expired extinguishers so they’re comfortable under pressure

5. Store Tools and Equipment Securely

Theft is one of the fastest growing sources of equipment losses in tree care, often happening at night or when tools are left on an unsecured jobsite.

ArboRisk Tip: Assume that if it’s not locked, it’s not safe. Thieves look for easy opportunities, so don’t give them one.

Reduce theft risk by:

• Locking trailers, job boxes, and equipment whenever not in use

• Securing your yard with good lighting, cameras, and fencing

• Parking high-value equipment inside or behind locked gates

• Storing all keys in a secure, centralized location

• Avoiding leaving equipment onsite overnight

Every dollar you invest in equipment maintenance and security pays you back in fewer breakdowns, fewer claims, and fewer scheduling disruptions. More importantly, it helps support the safety culture that you’re already trying to improve upon. 

For more help with equipment safety ideas, reach out to an ArboRisk team member today or sign up for our Thrive Safety Risk Management Package today.