What PPE and safety practices are essential when performing pruning?

• A. Just gloves
• B. No PPE required
• C. Eye protection, gloves, long sleeves as needed, and safe tool handling; maintain sharp blades and use proper ladders or platforms
• D. Hearing protection is essential only

Answer: (C)

Pruning safety focuses on protecting yourself from the main hazards: sharp blades can cut, flying wood chips can injure the eyes, thorny branches can scratch skin, and working at height creates a fall risk. Eye protection is essential because debris can strike the eyes during cutting or chip flying. Gloves guard your hands from cuts, punctures, and thorny parts, while long sleeves help shield skin from scratches and sun exposure. Safe tool handling, including a firm grip, controlled cuts, and keeping blades sharp, reduces the force you must apply and lowers the chance of slips. Using a proper ladder or platform provides stable reach instead of overreaching. Together, these PPE and practices cover the primary risks of pruning, which is why this option is the best. The other choices miss important protections or suggest no protection at all.