Columbus GA climber falls, injured

oldoakman

oldoakman

Been here much more than a while
Location
Alorgia
I got word late this afternoon that a local climber fell today and was severely injured. He is in surgery as I post this for crushed vertebrae. Also has a shattered right leg and broken left leg. Not sure if there is Workman's comp as GA law only requires this for companies employing 3 or more. I am pretty sure he has no hospitalization.
Please keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers. I'll keep updating as I get info.
 
UPDATE ON CONDITION: Mark came through the back surgery last night in good shape. No word yet on any paralysis. I did see the tree he fell from and talked with his coworkers about what happened. The tree is a Loblolly pine about 22"DBH with an approximate 15 degree lean. No obstructions other than other pines. He had removed the top and was blocking down big wood and had just sent a piece down and the groundies were working on it. He has a bad habit of laying his lanyard across the top of the cut and sitting into it and it apparently slipped off when he did this. He had no second tie in point(most of the locals here don't believe in that). He hit on his feet and shattered at least one ankle, broke both legs and the crushed vertebrae. Still no exact word on extent of injuries. Again, updates as I get them.
 
Thanks EZ. I'll pass that along. I just got a call from one of his friends, he is in surgery now for his legs and may loose his right leg at the knee because of the extensive damage. The locals are setting up a fund for the bills that are sure to come. I'll post info as I get it.
 
Treehumper, you have to understand it is a different world here in the south. Git-R-Done is not just a comedians by line. I have seen things that you wouldn't believe and when I say something, it is brushed off as if I don't know what I'm talking about. It is really frustrating at times. Three years ago we had a climber/owner fall 50 feet while doing a removal. He was only tied in with a lanyard halfhitched to his DEE. The hitch came undone and gravity worked. During the fall, he caught a stub just under his chin and it peeled most of his face off. I don't get the opportunity to climb much anymore, but when I do, I am always doubled up in some fashion and gear is always checked before hand. It really doesn't pay to be careless.
 
I hear ya. Much the same here in NJ. I've met guys with horror stories of accidents but then see them turn around and continue to do things the same way as if it is inevitable or like they got hurt so it won't happen to them again.

The whole macho thing of comparing wounds and scars. Bow our heads for those that didn't make it but do nothing otherwise when we see someone doing the same thing that lead to the accident. Why cuz it just doesn't happen all the time....
 
This is an interesting question: How often do you stop and say something when you see a really unsafe act, as in another company's work site?


I know I don't stop enough, but I have a few times, and gotten glassy-eyed stares and polite talk. I know they probably had a good laugh about it after I left (hopefully they thought about what I was trying to communicate to them).


SZ
 
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I have a few times, and gotten glassy-eyed stares and polite talk. I know they probably had a good laugh about it after I left

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polite talk??? from southern boys???? On a job you didn't even belong on??? Times are a changing.
 
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I have a few times, and gotten glassy-eyed stares and polite talk. I know they probably had a good laugh about it after I left

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polite talk??? from southern boys???? On a job you didn't even belong on??? Times are a changing.

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It's been what, 20 years? Yeah, there are more Yankees down here than southern boys.


SZ
 
just about, miss it, I've heard rumors. been told it's like the english tried with the scotts, can't get them out ya'll breed them out.
 
Very sorry for the accident. Very unfortunate! I'm in the "south" for the most part. Where I'm employed for 40 hours a week I was a subject of jokes for being too safety conscience for close to a year. People do eventually come around. I really hate ignorance in power positions. My prayers that this accident helps to start change.
 
I'm a native of the south and grew up doing tree work with various companies. I get funny looks sometimes for being too safety conscious when I climb, especially with the smaller companies. There's no trade off for being safe, people come around eventually if you stick to your guns, so to speak.

mark
 
[ QUOTE ]
UPDATE ON CONDITION: Mark came through the back surgery last night in good shape. No word yet on any paralysis. I did see the tree he fell from and talked with his coworkers about what happened. The tree is a Loblolly pine about 22"DBH with an approximate 15 degree lean. No obstructions other than other pines. He had removed the top and was blocking down big wood and had just sent a piece down and the groundies were working on it. He has a bad habit of laying his lanyard across the top of the cut and sitting into it and it apparently slipped off when he did this. He had no second tie in point(most of the locals here don't believe in that). He hit on his feet and shattered at least one ankle, broke both legs and the crushed vertebrae. Still no exact word on extent of injuries. Again, updates as I get them.

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oldoakman,

Sorry to bother you with your friend laid up so badly, but what does "He has a bad habit of laying his lanyard across the top of the cut and sitting into it" mean?

Not aiming to call anyone out on this, just trying to figure out what he was doing.

Northwind
 
When blocking down a spar, it's always smart to use your climbing line as not only a secondary lanyard, but with the taughtline hitch intact and working in case something goes wrong and you need to get on the ground fast.

Many climbers have hit the ground when their single lanyard's have slipped over the top, or been cut through by mistake.

Sounds like a bodyline lanyard backup would have prevented this fellow climber's accident.

I hope he heals well and climbs again.

jomoco
 
"what does "He has a bad habit of laying his lanyard across the top of the cut and sitting into it" mean?"

I have a feeling he means that the climber lays his lanyard over the vertical part of the hinge that's left. I have no idea why anyone would do that, I am just picturing what those words are supposed to mean.

-Tom
 
Many prayers for Mark and his family.
This brings up a point though, the whole macho thing surrounding any type of tree work, be it falling, climbing, or what have you, bottom line is this, doing it the macho way gets people killed, takes fathers and brothers away from their families, and has no place in a ny work site I am on. Simply put, there is no place in this industry for macho tactics.
I started on the job when I was 17, was climbing two years later, and since have spent a good deal of time in the tree tops. I tell new crews/groundies straight out, before a rope is uncoiled, saw gassed up, whatever, the macho BS stays in the truck.
Being an arborist in the 2000's requires a whole litany of skills plus the knowledge to incorporate them safely, not too mention the straight up physical demands of the job.
It is time for every one of us too work smarter, change the attitudes of any who feel differently through EXAMPLE, its a dirty job but we love it.
Heal up Mark.
-G.
 
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