THE ACCIDENT: A
28-year-old worker is prepping
a site at a golf course using an
excavator. He is pushing down
a 60-foot tall tree by digging
around the base and then loos-
ening the root system.
He places the bucket against
the tree's trunk and extends
the boom outward to push the
tree away from the excavator.
The tree falls backward onto
the cab, and the weight causes
the roof to cave in. The worker
is pinned in the cab. His co-
workers fi nd him and call 911.
When the medical team arrives,
he is pronounced dead from
asphyxia.
THE BOTTOM LINE:
The site's wet, unstable soil
and high wind speeds may
have hindered the excavator
operator's ability to control the
direction the tree would fall.
To prevent similar accidents,
equipment operators should fol-
low these safety guidelines.
s Make sure the equipment be-
ing used provides the highest
level of physical protection
and is appropriate for the
work.
s Before starting tree-felling
operations, create a plan and
procedures for safe operation.
Decide the felling direction
and different conditions
such as wind direction, wind
strength, slope and obstacles
around the area.
s Keep a distance of at least
twice the tree height be-
tween the tree and other
crewmembers.
s Study the tree: Are there
cracks or decay? Is the tree
leaning, and if so, which way?
Once the natural direction of
fall is discovered, push the
tree that way.
F E B R U A R Y 2 014 To t a l L a n d s c a p e C a r e . c o m 7
Timber!
BY LAUREN HEARTSILL DOWDLE
How clearing trees can turn deadly
Download free safety manuals for employee training or read past
Safety Watch articles at totallandscapecare.com/safetywatch.
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