Forestry, together with farming and fishing, make up the industrial sectors with the highest rates of fatal accidents and major injuries.
While just over 1% of the UK’s workforce is employed in the agricultural industry, out of the 142 fatal workplace accidents occurring in 2020/21, 34 of them were in the agriculture sector – which represents almost 24% of all fatal workplace injuries, according to the latest RIDDOR figures.
Looking at the forestry sector in particular, the most common risks faced by tree workers include:
- Working with chainsaws
- Being struck by a falling object, such as a tree or a branch
- Working alone
- Working at height
- Being hit by a vehicle at work
- Touching an overhead power line
Statistics
According to Health and Safety Executive statistics, between 2017/18 and 2019/2020 there was an annual average of 12,000 self-reported, non-fatal workplace injuries in the agriculture, forestry, and fishing sectors.
According to RIDDOR, from 2015/16 to 2019/20, the following specified non-fatal work injuries included:
- Slips trips and falls – 22% (20% of all over 7-day injuries)
- Injured by an animal – 21% (11% of all over 7-day injuries)
- Falls from height – 19% (8% of all over 7-day injuries)
- Struck by an object – 12% (10% of all over 7-day injuries)
- Contact with machinery – 9% (10% of all over 7-day injuries)
- Lifting and handling – 4% (18% of all over 7-day injuries)
Ill-health at Work
Forestry workers also risk contracting work-related diseases, due to the conditions in which they work. These include:
- Musculo-skeletal disorders
- Industrial deafness
- Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome
- Skin or respiratory complaints due to the use of pesticides
Claim with a leading personal injury firm
If you or a loved one has been injured or suffered ill health as a result of working in the forestry industry, you may be entitled to compensation.
To talk to an expert about making a claim, call 0800 0891 331 or click here.
Thompsons is one of Scotland’s leading personal injury firms. We win around 90% of the cases we take on and secure around £1 million a week in compensation for our clients.
