A recent fatal accident forces HSE to issue a safety bulletin

Following several fatal accidents during arboricultural operations, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has elected to share details, with the aim of raising awareness of broad themes concerning risk management and promotion of safety messages.
 
Being struck by a tree, or branches, during felling or other tree work is a significant cause of death and major injury in forestry, arboriculture and other land-based industries. Tree work is common, and the risks need to be managed:

• Anyone involved in tree work, including felling, must be trained and competent for the task being done. Keep other people well away from work areas.
• Tree work must be planned and supervised. Check trees for signs of decay and other factors that may affect felling or the work to be done. Where necessary set up exclusion zones.
• Mechanised means of felling such as use of grapple saws, tree shears and harvesters are preferred to using chainsaws.
• Look out for dead wood, insecure/unstable branches and broken tops in the tree to be cut, and in adjacent trees.
• During felling, keep other people more than two tree lengths away.
• Keep the escape route, and work area, clear of obstructions.
•  Emergency arrangements should include first aid provision and ability to quickly contact emergency services.

HSE Website: Tree work health and safety

Written by Owen Baker | Technical Officer