Caution Urged When Performing Tree Related Activities    

APS highly recommends using only certified professionals for tree work. 

Listed below are safety tips that need to be observed by homeowners and professionals alike when tree related activities are scheduled:

• Before work begins, check out the job site for overhead electric lines. According to Federal OSHA, and Arizona Revised Statutes, 10 feet is the minimum clearance required from high-voltage power lines of 50,000 volts or less. Greater clearances are required for voltages exceeding 50,000 volts.
  
  This means that unqualified workers are not permitted within 10 feet of energized conductors up to 50,000 volts and 12 to 35 feet for voltages exceeding 50,000 volts. Failure to comply can result in fines and or civil penalties up to $5,000.00. 
   
• Never attempt any tree work in bad weather. Wet or windy conditions can create potentially hazardous situations.
  
  
• Have sufficient help available. Never try to do a job yourself. If in doubt, hire a certified professional, who by law is required to notify the utility prior to beginning work. 

APS will prune or remove trees that are growing into high-voltage electrical distribution and transmission lines  along streets, alleys or easements. Do not attempt to prune or remove these types of tree/high voltage conditions due to possible electrical contact, injury, and/or fatality. Call APS to investigate these types of tree related conditions to ensure your safety. When tree branches become tangled in the service wire – the power line that connects to the house – APS will disconnect the power while a professional you have hired prunes the tree.

As a reminder, we do not remove debris due to storm damage. We will clear fallen trees and limbs away from company lines and other equipment to ensure system reliability, public safety, and to restore service and prevent power outages.

More tree related safety information is available by calling APS at (602) 371-7171, or (800) 253-9405.

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