Wakeup call

T

TMW

Location
OH
While we banter about how we won't mistakes and make ourselves feel better by insulting others, I thought we should have a number to keep in mind:

174

This is the number of tree workers killed at work in 2005 in the US. (Personal communication with Dr. John Ball).

So keep criticizing each other and saying that it won’t happen to you and you don’t need to follow the safety standard...

But think about those 174 workers who were killed in 2005. What do you think they were thinking about the day that they were killed at work? “It can’t happen to me?”

Now think about what their families were thinking that morning, and what they have been thinking about every day since then. Do you think that they would like to be able to rewind the tape and have something different happen that day?

Unfortunately, we can’t rewind the tape for them or their families. We can rewind it for ourselves and our families, today, before that happens to us.

You can’t be too alive and dead is forever.

TMW
 
Just yesterday I got word about a good friend of mine, while working on a tree, fell off while coming down. Apparently the branch he was tied into broke off. He broke his shoulder and his collarbone. He's having surgery to repair it. I'll hear more from him next week and I'll let you know how he's doing.

Later in SO-CAL climb safe...
 
Tim , You have always been on top of the ANZI , teaching students and I for one respect you for that . Since you are throwing numbers out there , like 174 . Hey no one wants to die , but it's gonna happen . Was that number twice that or three times that twenty years ago ? If everyone followed ANZI guidelines to the letter , would that number go down ? I doubt it . How safe can you make an unsafe situation ? If you're pruning and running around a tree scratching it , that is one thing . Now the tree is cracked in half ,dead, hanging in another tree , over power lines etc., . The best choice for my family would be for me to walk away from a trees like that , but I can't because I grew up doing stuff like that and it's my job. Stupid people die , if it wasn't for stupid people some people wouldn't have a job(paramedics , firefighters). I follow anzi guidlines , where I see fit . PPE for all jobs always , two hands , two ropes, stuff like that comes down to whats between your ears. How many ground people were killed by climbers in 2005 ? That is what I always worry about , keeping my crew safe . If they're stupid , than I got my job cut out for me . 174 divided by 50 states is still alot safer than driving to work or home from work . My 2 cents .
 
Just have time for a quick reply.

Smart people die too, when they do dumb things.

Most of the fatalities could have been prevented if they had been following the Z standard.

I concur, that it comes down to what is between the ears that counts most. However, the standard was written in response to specific types of accidents.

I'll get more info on the break down and post later.

TMW
 
[ QUOTE ]
I'd like to see the break down on the 174 deaths.

[/ QUOTE ]

There was an owner that went through his chipper north of Denver but not sure if that was 05. I am glad I was no where near that sceen. It makes you feel for the families, losing someone so sudden like that.
 
174 divided by 50 states is still alot safer than driving to work or home from work . My 2 cents .

[/ QUOTE ]


Well, you would divide the total number of deaths by the total # of workers in the industry, and state this in fatalities/100,000. Last time I did the numbers (and the total # of tree workers is very difficult to estimate), I got ~35 fatalities/ 100,000. I think Dr. Ball 's estimates are a bit higher (40+/100,000). Either way, tree work is among the most dangerous jobs in the US.

Go to the Bureau of Labor Statistics webpage for fatality info.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I'd like to see the break down on the 174 deaths.

[/ QUOTE ]

There was an owner that went through his chipper north of Denver but not sure if that was 05. I am glad I was no where near that sceen. It makes you feel for the families, losing someone so sudden like that.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes. In Loveland. Brian Morse was his name. Sad story. It sounds like it truely was a "freak" accident, because he had a good reputation for doing things "by the book." It souds like he was a good man.
 
Althogh i did not know Brian i did take my crew to his funeral to give my respects and show my crew the trickling affect of a fatal accident in our industry and our community with the equpment we use daily.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I would like to see the figure of fatalities while following the guidelines in the Z.

[/ QUOTE ]

Treefrog,

That would be interesting. Just like looking at statistics of fatal accidents of companies that are not members of TCIA, who are not insured, etc.

We have written about the other view, that is to say what sections of the standard would have kept people alive.

I am sure that there are instances where following the standard has put people at risk, but:

1. There are rules with exceptions to avoid this and
2. There are people who have died because they were wearing their seatbelt. (maybe not the best analogy, but you get my point)

TMW
 
I have to agree with you on the exceptions and seatbelts.

Unfortunally, the precentage of the deaths seem to be due a lack of training and/or adhearance to this training.

FYI - I am feeling the effects of these hazards in our business while doing my preliminary research. Work comp Idaho- 14%, California 40%.
 
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