What should be avoided when working near trees to ensure safety?

Contact with branches that could conduct electricity is crucial to avoid when working near trees because it poses an immediate and severe risk of electric shock or electrocution. Trees can often grow in proximity to power lines, and their branches may have electrical energy flowing through them if they come into contact with live wires. This risk is especially significant when there is moisture present, as water is a good conductor of electricity, making any damp branches even more dangerous.

Ensuring safety in these situations typically involves maintaining a safe distance from power lines and being aware of the locations of overhead electrical infrastructure. Additionally, it's essential to recognize that branches can conduct electricity even if they do not appear to make contact, so preemptive measures should be in place to prevent any such contact from occurring during work operations.

While other activities such as climbing trees without safety gear, using heavy machinery, and pruning during high winds present safety concerns, they do not carry the same immediate threat of electrical shock, which is why avoiding contact with electrically conductive branches is paramount in ensuring safety when working near trees.