Providing tree care is no laughing matter. This week a man was killed near Thorndale when a tree he was cutting down fell on him. The risks are real. People in the tree care industry are at risk of injury or death due to falls, electrocution, and contact with objects. Those objects include whole trees, tree trunks, branches, as well equipment such as vehicles, chippers, chainsaws, and other tools of the job. Injuries, and even death, can also occur due to bee or wasp stings (allergic reactions) and interaction with angry neighbours (they tote guns in the US). While the table below comes from the CDC website, Canadian statistics tell a similar story.
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TABLE 2. Number and percentage of occupational injury deaths associated with tree care operations, by event circumstances — United States, 1992–2007 |
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|---|---|---|
|
Circumstance |
No. |
% |
|
Total* |
1,285 |
100 |
|
Injury event† |
||
|
Contact with objects and equipment |
595 |
46 |
|
Struck by or against |
546 |
42 |
|
Caught in, compressed, or crushed |
49 |
4 |
|
Falls |
441 |
34 |
|
To lower level |
434 |
34 |
|
Exposure to harmful substances or environments |
180 |
14 |
|
Contact with electric current |
174 |
14 |
|
Transportation accidents |
65 |
5 |
|
Highway accident |
—§ |
— |
|
Nonhighway accident |
34 |
3 |
|
Pedestrian |
27 |
2 |
|
Other/Nonclassifiable |
— |
— |
|
Primary injury source† |
||
|
Machinery |
88 |
7 |
|
Chippers |
38 |
3 |
|
Parts and materials |
103 |
8 |
|
Power lines |
79 |
6 |
|
Persons, plants, animals, and minerals |
548 |
43 |
|
Trees and logs |
540 |
42 |
|
Structures and surfaces |
418 |
33 |
|
Floor or ground |
406 |
32 |
|
Tools or equipment |
63 |
5 |
|
Powered hand tools |
24 |
2 |
|
Vehicles |
56 |
4 |
|
Highway vehicle |
33 |
3 |
|
Other sources |
9 |
1 |
|
Activity¶ |
||
|
Trimming/Pruning |
569 |
44 |
|
Felling |
300 |
23 |
|
Clearing/Removing |
114 |
9 |
|
Operating machinery |
81 |
6 |
|
Topping |
39 |
3 |
|
Not specified |
182 |
14 |
|
SOURCE: Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, 1992–2007. |
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CLC Tree Services takes Workplace Health & Safety seriously
At CLC Tree Services we take our health and safety seriously. We have been in business for over 25 years and aim to be here a little longer. The only way to do that is by exercising safe practices.
CLC Tree Services carries both Liability Insurance and coverage under Workplace Safety and Insurance Board for all our employees. All our work practices comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, as well as the Ontario Arborist Industry Safe Work Practices. On a regular basis, we conduct safety meetings and look for ways to continue to train our employees through the Infrastructure Health and Safety Association. That includes CPR and first aid training.
The training and safety measures that CLC Tree Services has in place greatly reduces the risks to our employees. We work within a team and are vigilant about their security. We don’t want to see anyone get hurt. But accidents happen.
Our condolences to Garnett Smith’s family this week. You are a reminder that our industry isn’t forgiving to those who are injured and that safety should always first. RIP
My local Tree Expert talks to me all the time about safety and the real life risks his crew takes when they are in these beautiful trees. He has definitely had some close calls!
We try to make it look easy, but it can be far from some days. Thanks for sharing Eric