Man cutting tree survives 12m fall from Aerial Lift

TrevMcRev · 6th April 2009, 10:59 PM

Man cutting tree suvives 12m fall from aerial lift.

Full story here...

Quote:

A man survived a 12 metre fall from an aerial lift yesterday after he was catapulted out of the platform by a falling tree limb.

The man, 45, was trimming a large gum tree at his house in North Tivoli, a suburb of Ipswich, Queensland, Australia.

According to police reports he cut too large a section of the tree, reportedly lopping 20 metres off the top of it. The massive limb came crashing down on top of his house, but not before hitting the platform ejecting the man from the basket. He was not wearing a harness.

The scene after the accident

The man landed on a metal fence sustaining chest injuries and was taken to Ipswich Hospital in a stable condition.

The fall seriously damaged the house and brought down power lines the local authority workers were called out to remove the fallen tree.

Vertikal Comment

This episode demonstrates that in addition to using the right equipment the person carrying out the work needs to have some idea of what he is doing.

We do not know in this case what type of lift was used, it looks as though some form of boom is in the photo under the tree. One possible explanation is that the lift was too short, causing him to cut the tree at the point of full extension?

If so then this is a prime case of the need to select the right platform for the job.

treefeller · 7th April 2009, 12:16 AM

After reading that he is very lucky. Do you lot have MEWP tickets like we do

newguy18 · 7th April 2009, 12:24 AM

But do those tickets apply to homeowners?Around here the local hardware store rents out stump grinders,chippers,mewps up to 90' and bulldozers,as well as tractors,saws,and of course bobcats,no questions asked,just sign and pay.

treefeller · 7th April 2009, 12:31 AM

Some do and somedont, You cant hire top handle saws without having proof that you are trained to use them, ie certs.As for mewps, i think anyone can hire them, normally builders.

newguy18 · 7th April 2009, 01:10 AM

Way differnt here,joe the homeowner can go buy a 200t even an 088 with a 50" bar if he wanted to,no questions asked.

treefeller · 7th April 2009, 01:25 AM

Bruce Hopf · 7th April 2009, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newguy18

Way different here,Joe the homeowner can go buy a 200t even an 088 with a 50" bar if he wanted to,no questions asked.

That is the same way up here in Ontario Canada. Anyone can walk into a Stihl Dealership, and Purchase a Chain Saw. No Matter what size it is.
I have seen People go into a Rental, Rent a Chain Saw, and within about 5 Minutes of Cutting, have that much Smoke coming from the Bar, and wonder why the Saw won't Cut.
The Chain is almost Blunt on the Top Plate of the Cutter Tooth. They would be Yelling, and Cursing that the Rental Place gave them a Bud Chain Saw that wouldn't Cut any Fire Wood, mean while they had hit the Ground, and or a Stone to Boot.

.
Sorry to Say, but this guy must have been Watching James the Narcoleptic Tree Cutter too much. One Dangerous Dude. I hope that I'm wrong about that. Sad to see anyone get hurt, while doing this Dangerous Work. Bruce.

Eric Frei · 7th April 2009, 06:33 AM

Yes you are supposed to have tickets but here's the stupid part.

If hiring the EWP the hire companies dont care if they have tickets or not ... it's not their responsibility who hires, who has tickets etc. For instance the secretary can hire the tower.

They hire the equipment out, it's not their responsibility to see who has tickets etc. When hiring for first time you get a 1/2hour demo of how to use it. This applies for trailer and crawler style EWP's, obviously truck mounted you need a truck licence.

The guy was lucky but he wont be claiming the damage on insurance, a case of scabbing out on getting the pro's has cost him big time. No harness on etc. But as it was home-owner guess what .... no OHS stuff will be applied.

newguy18 · 7th April 2009, 06:46 AM

Hey,i didn't get a demo when i rented out the ewp,but i was tied off while in it,unlike most bucket operators here.

treefeller · 7th April 2009, 07:18 AM

Must admit i did my ewp ticket, just as well as when i hired one out they gave me a 10 min demo and that was it

Jeff Darby · 7th April 2009, 09:55 AM

I like the comment on a little training, It just goes to show you little respect is held for our profession.

This bloke is still alive, his house is testiment to all in his area as to why it prudent to hire fully trained and insured contractors.

In NSW private company's ticket you to 12 mtrs with EWP's and Workcover covers above and beyond that.

Therrin · 7th April 2009, 10:33 AM

Quote:

This episode demonstrates that in addition to using the right equipment the person carrying out the work needs to have some idea of what he is doing.

If he was "using the right equipment" then why wasn't he harnessed and tied into the boom, and why was he cutting that much off from so far down?

Doesn't sound like the right equipment to me!

Also, it said the house is severely damaged... looks to me like some corrugated metal over his front porch got torn off but not much worse. The metal is all sheared and bent so it *looks* bad, but doesnt really appear to be much damage to the structure.

Drouin Tree Service · 7th April 2009, 02:50 PM

Looks like he took a bit much with that cut!!

Eric Frei · 7th April 2009, 06:36 PM

Hey, I live in this town and I'm telling ya .... lots of scabs here!

Bernard Keays · 7th April 2009, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrevMcRev

Man cutting tree suvives 12m fall from aerial lift.

Full story here...

So if he was cutting 20 metres off the top, would that make it a 32metre tree?

Sean Freeman · 7th April 2009, 08:05 PM

I don't know North Tivoli at all but have dealt with a couple of E tereticornis at Greenwood Village nudging 30-35m, there are some tall trees around the Ipswich area...sadly fewer and fewer these days.

newguy18 · 7th April 2009, 11:56 PM

Exactly why i 'm on with the state park service Sean,i've helped measure and save some of the biggest old growth in Florida,its all protected by the state.

timscott · 11th July 2009, 04:12 PM

I have a 14 meter tracked cherry picker & use it very often. What I find odd is that
1: you can go and hire these machines and not have any lincense
2: in queensland all trailers over 750kgs are meant to have trailer brakes, and to my amazment I had to inform the hire company that this is a QLD transport requirement.'
I bet if you look at most of their heavier equipment being hired none will have brakes fitted.

Once again coming back to the old "she'll be right mate attitude"

This guy must of had some luck on his side; I don't want to sound to harsh but I hope he wasn't cover by his insurance WHAT AN IDIOT!!!!!!!!!!!!

7th April 2009, 12:16 AM	#2
treefeller Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: aaa Posts: 224	Re: Man cutting tree survives 12m fall from Aerial Lift After reading that he is very lucky. Do you lot have MEWP tickets like we do

7th April 2009, 12:24 AM	#3
newguy18 Part of the Furniture Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: orlando,fl Posts: 4,948	Re: Man cutting tree survives 12m fall from Aerial Lift But do those tickets apply to homeowners?Around here the local hardware store rents out stump grinders,chippers,mewps up to 90' and bulldozers,as well as tractors,saws,and of course bobcats,no questions asked,just sign and pay. __________________ Have your say join us today. old schooler

7th April 2009, 12:31 AM	#4
treefeller Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: aaa Posts: 224	Re: Man cutting tree survives 12m fall from Aerial Lift Some do and somedont, You cant hire top handle saws without having proof that you are trained to use them, ie certs.As for mewps, i think anyone can hire them, normally builders.

7th April 2009, 01:10 AM	#5
newguy18 Part of the Furniture Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: orlando,fl Posts: 4,948	Re: Man cutting tree survives 12m fall from Aerial Lift Way differnt here,joe the homeowner can go buy a 200t even an 088 with a 50" bar if he wanted to,no questions asked. __________________ Have your say join us today. old schooler

7th April 2009, 01:25 AM	#6
treefeller Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: aaa Posts: 224	Re: Man cutting tree survives 12m fall from Aerial Lift

7th April 2009, 06:33 AM	#8
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,994	Re: Man cutting tree survives 12m fall from Aerial Lift Yes you are supposed to have tickets but here's the stupid part. If hiring the EWP the hire companies dont care if they have tickets or not ... it's not their responsibility who hires, who has tickets etc. For instance the secretary can hire the tower. They hire the equipment out, it's not their responsibility to see who has tickets etc. When hiring for first time you get a 1/2hour demo of how to use it. This applies for trailer and crawler style EWP's, obviously truck mounted you need a truck licence. The guy was lucky but he wont be claiming the damage on insurance, a case of scabbing out on getting the pro's has cost him big time. No harness on etc. But as it was home-owner guess what .... no OHS stuff will be applied. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

7th April 2009, 06:46 AM	#9
newguy18 Part of the Furniture Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: orlando,fl Posts: 4,948	Re: Man cutting tree survives 12m fall from Aerial Lift Hey,i didn't get a demo when i rented out the ewp,but i was tied off while in it,unlike most bucket operators here. __________________ Have your say join us today. old schooler Last edited by newguy18; 7th April 2009 at 11:53 PM.

7th April 2009, 07:18 AM	#10
treefeller Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: aaa Posts: 224	Re: Man cutting tree survives 12m fall from Aerial Lift Must admit i did my ewp ticket, just as well as when i hired one out they gave me a 10 min demo and that was it

7th April 2009, 09:55 AM	#11
Jeff Darby Moderator - Previously known as JayD Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: TreeWorld, Sydney Australia Posts: 2,059	Re: Man cutting tree survives 12m fall from Aerial Lift I like the comment on a little training, It just goes to show you little respect is held for our profession. This bloke is still alive, his house is testiment to all in his area as to why it prudent to hire fully trained and insured contractors. In NSW private company's ticket you to 12 mtrs with EWP's and Workcover covers above and beyond that. __________________ 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

7th April 2009, 02:50 PM	#13
Drouin Tree Service Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 1,727	Re: Man cutting tree survives 12m fall from Aerial Lift Looks like he took a bit much with that cut!! __________________ Drouin Tree Services \| Excavator Hire - Drouin and SE Gippsland \| Landclearing Melbourne

7th April 2009, 06:36 PM	#14
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,994	Re: Man cutting tree survives 12m fall from Aerial Lift Hey, I live in this town and I'm telling ya .... lots of scabs here! __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

7th April 2009, 08:05 PM	#16
Sean Freeman Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,981	Re: Man cutting tree survives 12m fall from Aerial Lift I don't know North Tivoli at all but have dealt with a couple of E tereticornis at Greenwood Village nudging 30-35m, there are some tall trees around the Ipswich area...sadly fewer and fewer these days.

7th April 2009, 11:56 PM	#17
newguy18 Part of the Furniture Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: orlando,fl Posts: 4,948	Re: Man cutting tree survives 12m fall from Aerial Lift Exactly why i 'm on with the state park service Sean,i've helped measure and save some of the biggest old growth in Florida,its all protected by the state. __________________ Have your say join us today. old schooler

11th July 2009, 04:12 PM	#18
timscott I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Brisbane Posts: 3	Re: Man cutting tree survives 12m fall from Aerial Lift I have a 14 meter tracked cherry picker & use it very often. What I find odd is that 1: you can go and hire these machines and not have any lincense 2: in queensland all trailers over 750kgs are meant to have trailer brakes, and to my amazment I had to inform the hire company that this is a QLD transport requirement.' I bet if you look at most of their heavier equipment being hired none will have brakes fitted. Once again coming back to the old "she'll be right mate attitude" This guy must of had some luck on his side; I don't want to sound to harsh but I hope he wasn't cover by his insurance WHAT AN IDIOT!!!!!!!!!!!!

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