FACTS
- Every year people are seriously injured or killed while doing tree work. Most people injured have extensive experience in tree work.
- Common causes of injuries include falls from heights, being struck by falling objects, working around power lines, musculoskeletal disorders, exposure to noise, working with equipment and sun exposure.
- Hazards are known in advance which can be unforeseen.
- condition and stability of the tree
- falling or swinging objects including tree parts that have been cut or have the potential to break
- onsite conditions that increase the risk of slips, trips and falls
- manual tasks including pulling, pushing, lifting and plant vibration
- electric shocks from energised power lines
- working with plant including mobile plant
- dehydration and fatigue
- wind and rain
- allergic reactions to trees and poisonous plants
- biting or stinging (insects/snakes)
STATS
- Fatalities among tree care workers dipped nearly 22 percent in 2017, while incidents decreased about 16 percent, according to a recent analysis from the Tree Care Industry Association.
- Researchers examined media reports and found that 72 of the 129 tree work-related incidents that occurred in 2017 were fatal – down from 92 in both 2016 and 2015 and 81 in 2014. TCIA reported 153 total incidents in 2016, 45 of which resulted in “serious injury.”
- A total of 1,285 workers died while performing tree care and maintenance; 44% were trimming or pruning a tree when fatally injured. The most common causes of death were being struck by or against an object (42% of deaths), most commonly a tree or branch; falls to a lower level (34%); and electrocutions (14%). Most of the decedents (57%) worked for small establishments with 10 or fewer employees.
- A total of 1,285 worker deaths associated with tree care in the United States were reported to CFOI, an average of 80 deaths per year.