AFAG Initial Notifications - 2025

Arboriculture & Forestry Fatalities

September 2025 - AFAG Fatal Notification - Struck by (Tree Branch)
Initial notification is that a worker was killed when part of a felled tree that he was snedding sprang back and hit him in the chest.

Key messages for AFAG members to promote:
Being struck by a tree, or branches, during felling or other tree work is a significant cause of death and major injury in forestry, arboriculture, and other land-based industries. Tree work is common, and the risks need to be managed.

Key messages are:

• Tree work must be properly planned and carried out by competent persons.
• Anyone involved in tree work, including felling, must be trained and competent for the task being done.
• Check trees for signs of decay and other factors that may affect felling or the work to be done. Look out for dead wood, insecure/unstable branches, and broken tops in the tree to be cut, and in adjacent trees.
• Keep other people well away from work areas. Where necessary set up exclusion zones.
• Select suitable equipment. Mechanised means of felling, eg harvesters, grapple saws and tree shears, should be considered and used where appropriate.
• During felling, keep other people more than two tree lengths away.
• Keep the escape route and work area, clear of obstructions.
• The correct tools and personal protective equipment must be used. Tools and safety equipment must be in full working condition.
• Emergency arrangements should include first aid provision and ability to quickly contact emergency services.

April 2025 - AFAG Fatal Notification - Struck by an object (tree trunk)
Initial notification is that a person was struck by a falling tree trunk whilst involved in the unloading of them from a trailer.

January 2025 - AFAG Fatal Notification - Struck by (branch)
Initial notification is that a worker was killed while working in a tree. He was struck by a branch.

The HSE are sharing these notifications. Because the incidents are under investigation exact details will not be available and will not be provided with these notifications (either because the facts haven’t’ been established or release may prejudice enquiries).

Sharing of these notifications helps to raise awareness of broad themes around risk management and promote safety messages.

These notifications should not be seen as a definitive record of the number of fatalities in any particular period or sector of industry (some fatalities may turn out to be not reportable, or be allocated to other HSE Sectors when details are fully known eg amenities). Formal figures are released annually through HSE’s ‘Fatal injuries in Great Britain’ report: Statistics - Fatal injuries in Great Britain (hse.gov.uk)

Additionally the HSE may also share relevant agricultural initial notifications when sent out to agricultural stakeholders particularly if they may be of use to the forestry / arboriculture industries, for example situations that are common to all sectors eg relevant machinery incidents, chainsaw injuries, and working at height matters.