TCIA releases 2017 tree care-related incident report

The Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) released a report of 2017 tree care-related incidents. TCIA learned of 129 tree care-related occupational incidents* in calendar year 2017. Seventy-two of them were fatal. This report provides what TCIA knows about these incidents from the media accounts.

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 (all incidents) was 43. This relatively high average 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, 22 percent of all incidents occurred with TCIA member companies, and 78 percent occurred with non-members.