Tree worker
incident database
Fill out our simple 'Tree worker incident form' and play your part in improving the safety of our industry with our crowd-sourced data.
The Arboriculture industry statistically is one of the most dangerous professions in the world. It is imperative that the health and safety within our industry keeps evolving. It is our responsibility as Arborists to implement the safe work practices on our job sites, to wear all relevant PPE, to train apprentices and new hires in the correct way without allowing bad habits and potentially dangerous techniques.
We need to analyze our own incidents, learn from them, and figure out where mistakes were made and how the incident can be avoided/prevented in the future. We have to share these stories and experiences with our colleagues, and if possible to an even broader audience through social media and industry events.
Our goal is to create the most comprehensive 'Tree Worker incident database' that includes close calls and injuries. This database outlines the type of injury, the cause, a detailed description of the incident, factors leading to the incident and what could have been changed to avoid the injury (in the opinion of the contributor).
Back to the Incidents Overview
| Date of incident | 03/01/2019 |
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| Incident | Tie in point failure |
| Location of incident | Prescott, AZ United States Map It |
| Age of impacted party | 35 |
| Outcome | Minor injury |
| Type of incident |
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| Type of equipment involved |
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| Type of injury |
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| Action taken |
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| Involvement of contributor | Worker performing task |
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| Causes of the incident |
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| Description of incident | I was removing a shaggy bark juniper tree overhanging a fence. The homeowner had cut the the easy half opposite the fence and called us after realizing he was in over his head. It was about 30 ft tall with multiple stems. I tied in to the central leader and easily pieced apart one side then I swung around on my climbing line to do the other side. Halfway in my swing the entire stem failed from about breast height. I fell about 15 ft and the stem fell close by. The homeowner had cut half way through the stem. due to the nature of the bark it was very difficult to see the cut before it broke. The worst part is the homeowner was watching the entire time, and didn’t think to say “hey I made a cut on that.” |
| Contributing factors | Complacency. did not do a pre climb inspection. The nature of the bark made it difficult to see the hazard. Previously had homeowner work on it. |
| Incident review and preventative measures | Pre climb inspection. |
| Form completed by (optional) | Chris Moore |
| First | Chris |
| Last | Moore |