Tree Care Related Incidents in 2016

TCIA learned of 153 tree care-related occupational incidents* in calendar year 2016. Ninety-two of them were fatal. This report provides what we know about these incidents from the media accounts.

Comparing 2016 with previous years, we reported 79, 81 and 87 occupational fatalities in 2013, 2014 and 2015 respectively.

The youngest victim we recorded was 18, the oldest was 70. The median age of the victim (all incidents) was 39. This relatively high median age suggests that complacency rather than ignorance plays a significant role in these incidents. Supporting this claim:

· The typical fall victim was unsecured

· The typical struck-by victim remained in the drop zone

· The typical electrocution victim violated MAD and made contact through a conductive tool/object.

For those accounts in which an employer was identified, 23 percent of all incidents occurred with TCIA member companies, and 77 percent occurred with non-members.

The "Big Three" types of accident causation are the same as they have been in recent years: Fall, struck-by and electrical contact incidents comprise 31, 25 and 22 percent of the total incidents, respectively.

The consistently high number of incidents in tree care over the past few years has attracted OSHA's attention. At the time this report was published, at least 19 states in five OSHA regions were running "special emphasis" programs targeted at tree care and landscape firms.

*TCIA relies on media accounts of accidents for this data. Less "newsworthy" accidents are less likely to be recorded. We define an incident as "occupational" when it is clear from the account that the victim(s) was/were engaged in tree work for compensation.

TCIA is a 79-year-old public and professional resource on trees and arboriculture. It has more than 2,300 member companies who recognize stringent safety and performance standards and who are required to carry liability insurance. TCIA has the nation's only Accreditation program that helps consumers find tree care companies that have been inspected and accredited based on: adherence to industry standards for quality and safety; maintenance of trained, professional staff; and dedication to ethics and quality in business practices. TCIA also serves as the secretariat for the ANSI A300 series of Standards for Tree Care Management Operations (ANSI A300 Parts 1 through 10). A300 standards are developed by the A300 committee (ASC A300),  and are available for review on TCIA.org.

TCIA arborists, safety and business professionals are also available as sources for tree-related articles and issues: 1-800-733-2622 or tandersen@tcia.org.