TreeSurgery.com

HSE has developed a website to allow tree surgeons to find sector specific information quickly. It includes all the relevant H&S information in one place: Site management, staff health and summaries of the key legal responsibilities - 'What you need to do'.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/treework/

Tree work involves many high-risk activities and skills. Workers often work in remote areas with difficult terrain and in all weathers. Training is a basic requirement for safe and efficient work and all tree surgeons should be made aware of their legal responsibilities for Health & Safety.

All tree surgeons should take a look at the information on the site and take the requisite training to do their work safely and effectively.

Since 2002 there has been a common scheme of training provided by Lantra Awards, and certificates of competence (CoCs) awarded by the City & Guilds NPTC. This structure also encompasses Aerial tree work skills, including tree climbing, pruning and dismantling at a basic level.

AFAG's Training and Certification Project Group has also been reviewing current arrangements and industry practices to encourage recording of on-the-job experience and formal qualifications to help the industry encourage good practice and working demands of clients.

Accidents and Trees

Tree surgeons have to undergo thorough training to become fully qualified but many more important lessons are learned from problem solving, risk assessment and execution of day to day tree felling jobs.

One of the best ways of learning to become a tree surgeon is to work with more experienced arborists. Another is to learn by the mistakes one makes. 

Tree surgery is dangerous work. Tree surgeons can be working at great heights with dangerous machines and ropes. One small mistake can have terrible consequences.

Accidents do happen so insurance is of paramount importance for the tree surgeon AND for people and property that may be affected from your work. Tree surgeons must also know the law about Health & Safety for tree felling work.

Accident Confessions of a Tree Surgeon

TreeSurgery.com has compiled a list of 5 real accidents and would like our readers to post their comments on how they might have been prevented.. Remember these accidents actually happened, and mostly were at the end of a long day at work.

Accident 1

Tree Surgeon free climbs up a silver birch tree when a dead branch gives way. Tree Surgeon lands on a wooden fence after falling 12ft.

Accident 2

Tree Surgeon tears a nail off his finger when he realised he had his full weight on the gate of a carabiner and moved the rope with dire consequences.

Accident 3

After pollarding a smallish tree Tree Surgeon stands up and a loop of rope slid over the branch that he was tied in. Tree surgeon leans back and falls out the tree.

Accident 4

Tree surgeon lowers a log which swings onto the groundsman’s helmet.

Accident 5

Tree surgeon takes down a large dead branch of an ash tree. A high branch broke up the tree and hits Tree Surgeon on the helmet.