Jeju Fire Department Urges Caution for Safety Accidents During Spring Fruit Tree Pruning

Published 14 Mar.2024 14:01(KST)

The Jeju Fire Safety Headquarters (Chief Go Min-ja) has urged special caution in preparation for an increase in safety accidents related to fruit tree thinning and pruning, which are concentrated in the spring season.

Jeju Fire Safety Headquarters building. [Photo by Jeju Fire Safety Headquarters]

According to the Jeju Fire Headquarters on the 14th, there have been 34 safety accidents related to thinning and pruning reported this year up to March 10, marking a 47% increase compared to 18 cases during the same period last year.

By equipment used, electric shears accounted for 18 cases, pruning shears 4 cases, shredders 2 cases, and others 10 cases, with electric shears making up 53%. Recently, with the rapid increase in the use of electric shears, finger injuries (17 amputations, 10 lacerations, 1 fracture) totaled 28 cases (82%).

The age groups affected were people in their 50s (10), 60s (9), and 70s or older (11), with those aged 50 and above accounting for 88%. By region, 79% (27 cases) of all accidents occurred in rural areas of eup and myeon.

Meanwhile, there were 46 safety accidents related to thinning and pruning reported until the end of April last year, with 67% (33 cases) occurring in March and April, and electric shears accounting for the highest number at 30% (14 cases).

Due to the characteristics of the Jeju region, many safety accidents occurred during the spring pruning of mandarin orange trees. In particular, not only electric shears but also shredders pose a high risk of serious accidents, requiring special caution.

When using electric shears, it is recommended to hold the branches away from the cutting area as much as possible during work, be careful to prevent the motor from operating due to carelessness, and always wear gloves that fit the hands properly.

During shredder operation, attention should be paid to ▲ loading and unloading the shredder ▲ avoiding entrapment and entanglement accidents at the shredder inlet ▲ and preventing injuries from flying debris.

The Jeju Fire Safety Headquarters is conducting awareness-raising and accident prevention promotional activities to encourage vigilance and compliance with safety rules during mandarin orange tree thinning and pruning work.

Although work has become easier recently with the distribution of electric shears, safety devices remain insufficient, and safety accidents such as sudden finger amputations are on the rise, so the headquarters urged residents to exercise special caution.