Incident
Loss of control in directional felling
Date of incident
2017-09-28
Location of incident
Vancouver BC Canada
Age of impacted party
36
Outcome
Property damage
Type of incident
Tree failure
Type of equipment involved
Chainsaw
Action taken
No action taken
Involvement of contributor
Witness/Onsite
Weather
Sunny/mostly sunny
Causes of the incident
Unaware of surroundings
Description of incident
1.While conducting directional felling of black cottonwood with mechanical assistance (excavator), a rope installed at approximately 50% of the tree's height was secured to a port-a-wrap on the bucket of the excavator. 2.An undercut was placed in the tree in the direction of the intended lay, and the backcut was commenced with the rope pre-tensioned by the excavator. 3.While nearing completion of the backcut, it was apparent that the tree kerf was opening on the side of the stump. Direction was given to the excavator to pull, but control was already lost due to hinge failure. The tree went 90 degrees to the low-side off intended lay and struck a fence as well as other property items at occupied housing.
Contributing factors
-Rushing -Falling whole tree within 2 tree lengths of occupied buildings -Species profile/fiber weakness -Prioritize lay rather than mitigate by changing direction/position of excavator -Overconfident in capabilities of machinery
Incident review and preventative measures
Take extra precautions where species profile, proximity to buildings, and potential for unanticipated loads and leans exist. Climb and remove weight and extension prior to felling trees with those conditions. Prioritize the safest fell, not the most expedient cleanup.