The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is urging that the immediate clean-up operation be left to professional operators to undertake the work safely.
The HSA said that while well-intentioned members of the public may be tempted to help, it strongly advises that only trained and competent operators equipped with the necessary personal protective equipment handle items such as chainsaws.
"If you don't have the proper training or equipment to safely use a chainsaw, don’t take the risk and instead engage with emergency and professional services," Mark Cullen, Chief Inspector with the HSA, said.
"Farmers in particular may be tempted to deal with fallen trees on their land or on adjoining roads. Personal safety must be the main priority and I strongly urge only those with the necessary skills to undertake work with chainsaws."
He added that there was safety in numbers and that during difficult weather events, a safety assessment should be carried out before any work goes ahead, and that people needed to stay across weather forecasts.
He said workers must ensure that they are wearing the correct protective clothing, such as helmets, eye protection, specialist chainsaw gloves and leg protection, and steel-toe boots.
Mr Cullen said that storm-damaged and fallen trees often involve additional dangers, such as tensioned branches or interaction with live electrical cables.
"Do not attempt to clear or approach fallen trees that are entangled with power lines. Assume all cables are live and report to ESB Networks on 1800 372 999."
Keith Leonard, Chair of the National Emergency Coordination Group, said that public safety is now the main focus.
The aftermath of the storm will present its own dangers, he added.
"We are going to see widespread fallen trees, fallen power lines and other hazardous debris, so I'm urging drivers to take extra care as we move into this evening and the weekend. Please heed the advice from the ESB - never approach fallen power lines and report such cases immediately to ESB Emergency Services."
Mr Leonard said that the group would be liaising with agencies, local authorities and key stakeholders to assess the extent of the damage, ensuring to get the right responses and resources into the right places.
Meteorologist at Met Éireann Liz Coleman said that risks from the storm may carry over into the weekend.
"Looking ahead to Sunday, we'll have another blustery day. Nothing like we've had today but there is that ongoing risk that trees and structures have been compromised, and a lesser wind might bring something down," she added.
