TCIA reports tree care-related incidents in 2017

The Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) learned of 129 tree care-related occupational incidents in 2017. According to research, 72 of the incidents were fatal. In addition, 45 reported were serious injuries and 11 were minor injuries.

Comparing 2017 with previous years, TCIA reported 81, 92 and 92 occupational fatalities in 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively. The youngest victim recorded was 20, the oldest was 71. The average age of the victim (in all incidents) was 43. This relatively high average age suggests that complacency rather than ignorance plays a role in these incidents. Supporting claim:

• The typical fall victim was unsecured.

• The typical struck-by victim remained in the drop zone.

• The typical electrocution victim violated “MAD” (minimum approach distance) and made contact through a conductive tool/object.

For those accounts in which an employer was identified, 22 percent of all incidents occurred with TCIA member companies and 78 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 33, 33 and 17 percent of the total incidents respectively.

TCIA relied on media accounts of accidents for this data. Less “newsworthy” accidents are less likely to be recorded and incidents are defined as “occupational” when it is clear from the account that the victim was engaged in tree work for compensation.

Click here to see the report and infographic, which provide TCIA’s insights on these incidents based on media accounts.