Initial Notification Of Forestry/Arboriculture Fatality
Issued by HSE’s Agricultural Sector to the Arboriculture & Forestry Advisory Group (AFAG); to assist with timely promotion of key health and safety messages.
The details are based on initial notification and media coverage and do not fully reflect the detailed circumstances of the incident.
The death has been treated as work related BUT this will be subject to further assessment.
The links to existing H&S guidance are to help recipients promote health and safety and should not be taken to imply any detail about the cause of the incident.
Date of incident: 22 December 2023
Geographic area: South East England (London) General
Nature of incident: Struck by (section of tree)
Initial notification is that an operative was struck by a stem section whilst dismantling a tree.
Falling trees, falling branches and falling sections of tree can kill or seriously injure people at work or passing by. Any felling, branch removal or dismantling work must be carried out by a trained and competent person, usually a specialist tree work contractor
Ensure:
• the layout and organisation of the work area protects all parties from the risk of falling objects.
• exclusion drop zones are established and people are prohibited from entering the zone.
• exclusion zones are, where reasonably practicable, clearly marked, signed and guarded
• communication methods between arborist and ground person are robust and effective
Additional resources may be required on site, such as lookouts, to help manage any risk associated with anyone possibly entering the work site, including the public.