Man rescued from Belgrave tree

Tony Knight

Link to news article

Time for a new harness I reckon.

Regards

Tony

Eric Frei

OK, lets get some clear facts out.

Tree was 9m tall.

He fell 3m.

Still connected to the tree via a harness.

He had to be lowered to the ground.

3 pictures to be seen.







What I deduce.

His high point was on the spar/barrel/log.

He likely had a flip line and that is what still attached him to the tree.

The attachment point that likely failed was the highpoint leaving him still attached via the flip line but able to fall downwards until something caught him up, maybe a stub.

Maybe he cut his high line or it wasn't connected properly.

Attached Thumbnails

     

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Tony Knight

You may well be correct, the 2 pics of the tree weren't made available to me just the info posted. That would certainly explain facial injuries

Cheers

Tony

derwoodii

Cut from the news article comments
Tracey Milne
writes:


Posted on
9 Aug 11 at 09:40am
I am the owner of the business and was on site when this accident happened, my climber did not fall from the tree, it was not a human error, a ratchet strap securing the lowering device malfunctioned due to reasons not made available yet, sending the lowering device up the tree hitting my climber in the head everybody on site, neighbours and emergency crew did a fantastic job working together to get him to the hospital I would like to thank these incredible people for the fantastic job that they did yesterday.

Tony Knight

Dam thats nasty, if its those 2000kg ratchet straps for load securing I use the same to strap bifurcated, hollow and rotten barrels (unless their large then HT chain and ratcheting dogs), unless regularly lubricated these straps can often only partially lock down the gate into the ratchet teeth.
Get well mate

Cheers

Tony

Eric Frei

Maybe not tightened properly, maybe on a tapered section, maybe not notched or recessed in (with a chainsaw cut).

I can see another rule coming now.

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arborrakes

My question is, Did the climber have a qualified grounds person ( trained) or second climber with him at the time of the accident?
If so I suspect this would not have happened but... if one takes short cuts in any area in the tree industry then you put people at risk.

Lowering devices are attached with two ratchet straps.right?
Heavy shock loading?

any thoughts arborists?

Eric Frei

Most devices I know of have 1 ratchet strap.

If large sections are going to be lowered usually we cut out a flat section for the strap or device to sit in. Or put it in a spot where it cannot fly up.

Not necessarily short cuts, likely an error, simple one like forgetting to put the fuel cap back on at the servo, forgetting to put the trailer latch down and the trailer pops off the ball etc .... stuff does happen.

Maybe it broke? We do not know.

A deadly situation for a friction device to fly up the tree.

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Garry Brockley

too big a piece, too many wraps on the device, not correctly attached maybe needed a couple of grooves in the sides to stop it running up, i use them on smooth barks just in case.

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redmower

Yes AR I have a few thoughts, Firstly my deep sympathy to the climber and his employer who no doubt feels for the injury a valued staff member has suffered. I wish them both the best on this unfortunate occasion.

Secondly I have a GRCS mickey mouse lowering system and winch assembly. Jolly good stuff despite being a bit heavy and I rekon it is too flash looking so I am worried some nut might knock it off one day. Back on point: it has one rachet without a spring loading the rachet peg so I am now thinking this device could be open to failure if not set properly. Thus far we have not had any problems but given the possible consequence (a climber getting a face full of lowering device) then yes I would like some backup by way of a second strap or sling etc..

Thirdly using 2oookg truckies type rachet and strap for shock loading in tree work is not high on my things-to-do list. despite the usefullnes of the gadget in load binding generally I regard the pressed metal components of the rachet as not being suitable for shock loading, it would thence be the weakest link in any loaded rigging system I use at work. No way hosay not for this little black duck. I'll leave them on the dingo trailer.

RM

TrevMcRev

Sounds terrible, hope the guy is ok & recovers fully.

I'm not sure if there is a good reason why Aerial Rescue was not performed by one of the crew....

I'd hate to be seriously injured in a tree and have to wait for the CFA to come and get me down.

A trained 2nd climber and a 2nd kit of gear along with some practice in rescue scenarios could be the time difference between survival or not.

Interesting to know more about how it happened and what lowering device was being used.

arborrakes

I worked for this company in question for over a year.
I repeatedly asked for a second climber on the job site.
But it never happened. Plus all grounds people were unqualified and not even wearing helmuts.
While I know the climber in question and my heart goes out to him and his family. I am truly sorry this happened but this company he worked for is known for cowboy policies.
non safety procedures and no training and not abiding by Arboriculture standards it is one main reason that OHS safety legislation must be put in place in Australia and all tree workers be fully accredited and qualified.
Its a serious business!
Jay. Master Arborist. ISA

Eric Frei

OHS regulation already exists, no need for more red tape or involvement by other organisational bodies than the existing authorities that have jurisdiction in the matter.

Worksafe were on the scene it says. So now will come investigation.

The duty upon the employer is already sufficient, if the employer chooses to be slack then eventually comes stuff like this.

I know of many crews where the staff get their certs but everyone still runs a round with no PPE sawing shorts etc, means nothing, it is up to the boss to ensure things are done correctly.

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arborrakes

Thanks Eric for your response but i think you miss my point here.
Most trades have regulations. You as a home owner are not meant to do your own plumbing or electrical work and thats for a reason.
Compulsory OHS does not exist in this industry.

Any one can start a tree lopping company!
You dont need to be qualified to do this.

So where is the red tape your talking about?

I beleive Work safe turned up afterwards with all the other safety rescue crew because there was no second climber!

We need regulations for the proection of climbers and and we need it now.
Just my opinion

Tracey Milne

In response to your lack of knowledge in the situation Jay, you have no idea who my crew are now or any details about my operations since Drew has been my supervisor, all safety procedures were in place and a second climber was on the site who actually lowered Drew down, not the CFA as everyone seems to think, you have no right to make such comments, you need to be careful about what you post (defamation of character or related issues!!!) It has nothing to do with human error as Work Safe are still investigating I am not able to comment.

Tracey Milne

Further to my response to Jay, All crew are fully qualified!!

Tony Knight

Hows your climber?

Hope he's on the mend.

Regards

Tony

Jeff Darby

Welcome to Treeworld Tracey,

It's seems as though you have it under control, please dont go the road of fighting on the the forum. Yes there has been an assumption made however you have clarified that all is above board. Comment on this forum is open to both sides of the story as long as it's presented in a civil maner.

Because Work Safe is currently investigating not too much can really be said by yourself about this matter.

Accidents are just that, an accident. Hopefully your climber will recover and all will be good for him and he will return to climbing and your business will survive this ordeal as it is an ordeal for all involved.

__________________

Member: Australian Tree Association

Join the Australian Tree Association...Have your voice heard !

Arboriculture, A life long study for some, a passing phase for others

© Jeffrey J Darby 2011

James Sayers

hope your climber is getting better.sometimes its just wise to double check things like loose straps second climbing kit with second climber .when i have a rigging job i always make a point of checking lowering is tight on tree as i could imagine flying up the tree and hitting family jewels ouch at the end of the day its the climbers choice as to what situation he wants to be in

Tracey Milne

Thank you Pomie and everyone else for your concerns re Drew, he is fighting as hard as he can they had to restrain his arms whist in a induced coma but thats Drew!! All 2 ratchet straps were secured to the lowering device and checked every time prior to being lowered by a qualified rigging specialist. Let me say this to everyone that is showing concerns for us - thank you so much, it is really amazing how many phone calls I have had from tree company's expressing there feelings and support for us, as they said we all band together, you all are amazing people. When Drew wakes up I will show all of your posts to him.

Eric Frei

Ours has OHS regulations. Go check Workcover etc in the state you are in.

Some trades like plumbing and electrical do have licence systems, like builders do, ever wondered why?

By the way, in many fields anyone can start a business/company. Real good business people and managers own business and run them effectively without being qualified in the field of service they offer.
Should I be a qualified electrician to run an electrical service business with qualified electricians who do the work?

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Tony Knight

Very true Eric, it takes good business acroment to run a business successfully, not necessarily qualifications for the core work. I don't see Lindsay Fox necessarily needing a heavy license or the skills to tarp a load to be successful in transport.
Alot businesses run more efficiently when the hands on is separated from the admin, ie wife runs the joint and I just work for her.

Regards

Tony

Tracey Milne

Thank you Tony & Eric, you are exactly right successful business's are run better when hands on is separated from everything else to do with the company. My previous comments were directed to Jay (Arborrakes) who is a disgruntled ex sub contractor from Holland and not JayD. Sorry for the confusion.

jnm

My name is Julia/Jules/Itchy Mouse (as Drew calls me).

I am Andrew Wells' partner of 3.5 years(the accident posted on this page i think). We live together in Sassafras with our 2 dogs ollie and gemma, a german shepherd and a huski/kelpie x. I was only made aware of this site tonight. Drew has been in an induced coma for 3 days now, they want to wake him up tomorrow, but only if the ct scan an anogram come through clear in the morning. he has had a piece of his skull removed to allow the brain to swell without complication, it is the left side of his brain which has been penetrated by the bone, and i am told this affects speech and memory.....(i hope he remembers who i am)

i have had so many different opinions about what might happen to him and what could have gone wrong and why the accident happened. he has showed me how to climb and set up ropes but i never payed much attention. i am struggling to plow through all the different opinions and reasons. the reason i am posting this note is to ask any tree person who knew him, or anyone in the industry who may be able to give any advice or reason to please contact me, anytime on 0408 992 564.

all big love from all tree climbers to my Drew(scratchy cat), lets all give him our positive energy. ok, thanks guys. jules

TrevMcRev

Thanks for your direct input Tracey & Julia.

Filling in some blanks helps all of us to understand how it happened & learn from the incident to help prevent similar happening again. The media has a way of wording things that often make it sound very different to what really happened.

Sounds like a very serious injury. I hope Andrew recovers fully.

Done it

My best wishes for you and Drew, I hope he has a full and speedy recovery.

jnm

hi again, this is jules, this is a great community of people. still trying to figure out how to put picuture up. Drew was/is the tech man. so i am trying to learn, i just want to go to sleep next to a warm body but right now i cant because he is still in a coma in the hospital, so i sleep alone. too tired now, will go to sleep, will let the tree community know more when i know more....asap. i know his great mate in Tassie Ryan James will testify to his personality and his obsession with saftey procedures. anyhow. i will talk to the owner of this website and take from there, at the moment, the most important thing is Andews health and brain function. big love from all family.

I LOVE YOU SWEETHEAT, PLEASE WAKE UP SOON, I want to look you in the eye, i need to. big love again. i have your brothers chrystal for luck and love, talk soon, xoxoxoxoxoxx, jules/itchy xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Tony Knight

Best wishes to Andrew and yourself Julia, for a timely and full recovery.

As for posting pics, there is a block in place until you have a certain number of posts (10 I think) before you can upload pics, not sure wether there's a minimum time to be a member or not as well?

Regards


Tony

Eric Frei

Jules,

Email me any pictures and I will put them up, just email at eric@treeworld.info

We suspect the lowering device strap failed. I do not own a device like that one, I use a porty but many people use hobbs or grcs etc which use truckie style ratchet straps.

This could also be a liability claim on the manufacturer of the device if the device has a weakness or engineering fault. Whilst the devices are rated for safe work load (SWL) perhaps the strength of the strap and the way the device gets loaded means it is a weakness. Essentially the strap holds the device to the tree but all loading is upwards, at 90 degrees to the strap. Maybe some destructive testing needs to be done as to how strong these straps are.

The other thing that may have happened is metal fatigue or failure somewhere, again that is degradation over time at an engineering weak point.

Some pics would really help plus any observations by the crew. The tree frankly seemed to small to start dumping out some huge loads.

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Drouin Tree Service

All the best to you guys hope Andrew pulls thru.

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Drouin Tree Services | Excavator Hire - Drouin and SE Gippsland | Landclearing Melbourne