About the tree industry
About the tree industry
Arborists and utility tree workers climb trees to conduct pruning and dismantling . The work can be arduous and high-risk , with injuries including lacerations , falls , compression and impact injuries . The overall accident and injury rate in tree work is extremely high . An American study found that tree workers were 21 times more likely to be killed while conducting tree work operations than while driving a vehicle , and that per-capita fatality rates in tree work may be significantly higher than in any other industry .
Reliable Australian and New Zealand data is harder to obtain ; in Australia arboriculture does not have a unique National Coronial Information System Occupation Code and arborists are often grouped in coronial records with horticulturists and other ‘ green trades ’. Conversely , “ tree-related accident ” rates include non-professionals such as homeowners who are injured whilst attempting works on their property .
The chart at the bottom of the page is taken from data collected in a five-year study of tree worker injuries in the United States ; it is one of the few such studies to exclude accidents that occur to private individuals conducting work on their own trees .
The number of tree climber rescues that are conducted each year is also unknown . Climbers will attempt self-rescue even after serious lacerations or other injuries . ‘ Basic ’ rescues in which the casualty remains in their own climbing system may be responded to by other workers on site . Consequently , the types of tree climber accident to which rescue teams may be called to respond is likely to be demanding and complex .
Ball ( 2014 ) Five-Year Analysis of Tree Care Accidents
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