Essex tree surgeon in court after chainsaw fall onto worker

You really couldn't write stuff like this if you tried ...

Would have liked to see his RAMS for this job ....

At what point does common sense go out of the window?

"A tree surgeon from Clacton-on-Sea has been fined after he fell nearly four metres, still clutching a running chainsaw, and landed on a colleague as they were pruning a garden tree in Little Oakely, near Harwich.

Colchester Magistrates’ Court heard today (14 Nov) that Mr Bradfield was contracted to fell the tree after the homeowner became concerned for its stability following strong winds. Mr Bradfield engaged three casual employees to help him and, after removing lower branches with a chainsaw, they erected a three-stage extending ladder to provide higher access.

To increase its height, they placed the foot of the ladder in the rear of their pick-up truck parked at the foot of the tree. Mr Bradfield climbed four to five metres to cut through the trunk and remove the top third of the tree using a heavy rear-handled chainsaw. But as the top of the tree was cut, it swung around and knocked Mr Bradfield off the ladder. He fell, with his chainsaw, and landed on his employee who was ‘footing’ the ladder."

Full story & pictures

Replies

Green Hand November 14, 2014 at 4:43pm

71 years old with 30 years of experience......I'm lost for words
chris nangle November 14, 2014 at 5:11pm

good grief
Benedict Simmons November 14, 2014 at 5:18pm

This reminds me of a video that was put up only a couple of weeks ago. What a silly sod. Amazed no one was killed
PRO

Gary RK November 14, 2014 at 5:26pm

Must be this one....

It must be silly season. Tree Surgery is one of the most dangerous parts of our industry and yet these 'incidents' keep happening...

Benedict Simmons said:

This reminds me of a video that was put up only a couple of weeks ago. What a silly sod. Amazed no one was killed
James Brett November 14, 2014 at 7:48pm

Wow this hits home just how stupid people can be especially as it's on my doorstep!! How stupid people can be is just unreal!
Steve London Stone November 16, 2014 at 3:41pm

I'm lost for words after reading that article. Its the sort of thing that you would expect of the cowboys but not from a 70 year old man with 30 years experience. Although you would have to question his experience if he's pulling stunts like that
Lawncare-4u.co.uk November 16, 2014 at 4:06pm

70 year old and a 72 year old - no insurance it said ! and no certificates for chainsawing..
Lawncare-4u.co.uk November 16, 2014 at 4:23pm

http://press.hse.gov.uk/2014/essex-tree-surgeon-in-court-after-chai...
PRO

Gary RK November 16, 2014 at 4:28pm

Yes, that's the link contained at the bottom of the original post for the full story.... :-)

Gardens4u.co.uk said:
http://press.hse.gov.uk/2014/essex-tree-surgeon-in-court-after-chai...
Ben Marshall November 16, 2014 at 5:13pm

So considering the seriousness of this incident, and also the fact that 24 "tree surgeons"(training/qualifications debatable) have died in the last 10 years, what steps has the HSE taken to try to ensure that householders and other businesses only use qualified tree surgeons who arent a danger to themselves and everyone else? none as far as i can see, surprisingly. There should be a nationwide campaign to ensure people only employ competent tree surgeons, and householders and businesses should recieve an ear bashing when it goes wrong for not checking for certificates or qualifications.