Lessons from 2023: Hit By Tree Incidents

This article originally appeared in the 2024 Winter Issue of Two More Chains.

In 2023 we received reports on 12 different Hit by Tree incidents.

Six of these incidents occurred during tree felling operations.

Similar to chainsaw cut incidents, it’s good to remember that in tree felling operations, the person holding the chainsaw is not the only person facing danger.

This is a good time to look over recent incidents, consider their lessons, and revisit your process for tree felling.

What is your standard approach? Is there reason to adjust it?

Specifically, think about the number of people at the base of the tree and typical escape routes.

Of the SIX tree felling operations that resulted in tree strikes:

• In FOUR instances the sawyer was hit.

• In TWO instances the swamper was hit.