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Tree safety guidelines to secure future of British woodlands, says CLA The risk posed to the public by trees is put into context by new guidelines on tree safety which should help to secure the future of British woodlands, the CLA said today (21 May). The Association said that "Bringing Common Sense to Tree Management" – published by the National Tree Safety Group (NTSG) – shows just how small the chance is of people being killed or hurt by falling, or fallen, trees and branches.
Research in the guide says that the overall risk to the public represents a one in 10 million chance of an individual in the UK being killed in a tree-related incident, which equates to only half a dozen deaths a year.
The number of hospital Accident and Emergency (A&E) cases reported as connected to trees is around 55 per year – a tiny number compared to the 2.9 million leisure-related A&E cases per year.
The low level of tree-related incidents compare very favourably with the more than a quarter of a million football-related injuries a year, the near-11,000 accidents with children's swings, and 2,200 hurt in wheelie-bin incidents.
The NTSG's guidelines, drafted with the help of the CLA and other leading organisations, recognise the benefits of trees to society and contain recommendations for tree managers. The guidance is out for public consultation until 21 June.
CLA President William Worsley said: "It is always a tragedy when someone is killed or seriously hurt. However, these figures illustrate just how low the risk of death or injury posed by trees actually is.
"This is good news for tree owners and woodland managers who can make their plans and management decisions within this context of low risk. Fear of litigation has led many landowners to remove trees in the name of 'health and safety'.
"Tree-related deaths are perceived as a risk because they are more newsworthy than other forms of accidents, even though the latter pose a far greater risk so the public." |
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