Background:
A tree faller was felling Douglas Fir on rolling terrain into a light southwest wind. The faller scarfed and backcut a tree and after placing a wedge was unable to get it to fall. In the process of turning his back on the tree and bending down to collect his fuel container a breeze came up and the tree came backwards on top of the faller.
The tree hit the faller in the lower part of his back. Although the tree was partially suspended over a small depression in the ground, the tree concertinaed the fallers legs up either side of his chest, forcing him down into a crouching position with his face pushed into the dirt. The faller was able to dig soil away, maneuver his body out from under the tree and reach his cellphone in his pocket to text a crew member for help.
Injuries received were spinal damage to vertebrae L4 and L5 for which the faller needed an operation to fuse these two vertebrae's together. He also suffered a partially collapsed lung.
Learnings from this:
* Ensure that all felling cuts are up to industry standard, and all felling practices follow industry best practice.
* Never turn your back on a scarfed and backcut tree.
* Fallers should not walk directly behind a scarfed and backcut tree instead using the 45 degree escape route.
* Plan the felling and constantly assess the conditions. If necessary stop work or move to another suitable location.
* Being able to communicate with other crew members is a critical factor.
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