LITTLE ROCK — Before a homeowner allows a tree service worker to begin work on his property, he should ask for proper documentation to make sure that the individual is both licensed and insured, said Donn Vangsnes, safety director for West Tree Service in Little Rock.
“It’s so difficult these days because any company can come up with a website and a generic area code for a cell phone and they can have a business,” Vangsnes said. “When we have a snowstorm or an ice storm like we just had ... there is no telling how many tree service companies are out there.”
In the wake of Arkansas’ Christmastime winter storm, trees fell and limbs snapped throughout the central Arkansas area, prompting the start of lots of new tree service businesses, according to city officials.
“People need to really be cautious with tree services, especially after a storm,” said Scott Massanelli, treasury-services manager for the city of Little Rock. “We were issuing permits to people from out of state.”
Eric Petty, manager of operations for the city’s Public Works Department, said reputable tree service providers should be able to provide certificates to prove the company or individual is licensed and bonded. Petty added that for extra security, calling the insurance company and the city to verify the documents is a good idea.
“They hand us a certificate from their insurance company, and we can always call their insurance company” to find out if they are insured, Petty said. “Same with their license. ... Call the city of Little Rock and ask, ‘Is this person licensed to do business in the city?’”
Individuals who go door to door offering services must obtain a solicitor’s permit from the city of Little Rock, which requires a background check, Massanelli said. A business application must be filled out and approved by the city to obtain a license, but being insured is not a requirement.
“They definitely have to have a license,” Massanelli said. “We request, we advise, but as a requirement, they don’t have to be bonded. But if someone was cutting a tree in my yard, I’d ask” to see proof of insurance.
Since it is not a requirement, only the insurance companies can verify whether a tree service is insured, but the city can always check a license.
“Maybe if they did something real bad in the past, maybe the city wouldn’t give thema license,” Petty said.
Entergy Arkansas provides tree services when electrical lines are involved or threatened, said spokesman David Lewis.
“Being the power company, we’re concerned with anything that threatens the power lines,” Lewis said. “If there’s a tree down and it doesn’t affect the power lines, we’re not concerned.”
On Wednesday, Filiberto Martinez Pita, 27, who worked for Hernandez Tree Service, was electrocuted when the branch he was trimming fell on a power line at 3610 W. 10th St. in Little Rock. The home owner, Charles White, 40, hired the company after he was placed on a “waiting list” by Entergy and was unable to get help from the city.
Lewis said Entergy expects customers to contact the company before any tree work is done near power lines to prevent electrocution.
“We encourage customers who have trees trimmed on their property to hire experienced, certified tree trimmers who can safely do the work,” Lewis said in an e-mailed statement. Entergy also requires any contractor they hire, including tree service providers, to “specialize in electric utility line clearance.”
West Tree Service, which contracts with Entergy and other statewide utilities, held a safety meeting for all company crews in response to Wednesday’s fatality, even though Pita was not associated with the company.
“The loss is bad enough, and now it’s ‘Whose fault is that?’” Vangsnes said. “We work with each other, share accident information. There are so many ways to get really hurt in this business. It’s not just one person’s responsibility.”
Most tree service workers go through training with organizations like the International Society of Arboriculture, Vangsnes said. For tree services that work with electric companies, there are additional training requirements to work near power lines, Vangsnes said.
Homeowners should be aware of the risks associated with small, unknown tree service companies, and if there are power lines involved, it’s vital to contact the power company, he said.
“It’s kind of like ‘Let the buyer beware’ with a lot of these [businesses],” Vangsnes said. “It’s kind of a crap shoot. You’d certainly want to know if they were insured. If you aren’t sure, walk away. You’ve got time.”
Arkansas, Pages 10 on 01/18/2013