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News release

13 October 2011 - NR 49/11

Safety experts call for landowners to take more responsibility

Health and safety experts today (13 October) called on landowners to take more care and responsibility when looking after trees on their land.

In light of recent fatalities and injuries sustained because of falling trees and branches, members of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) are reminding landowners and managers of the potential risks – and how to mitigate them.

At an event in Alnwick today, IOSH’s Rural Industries Group addressed the latest issues surrounding tree management, looking at tree safety from a number of perspectives, that of the regulator, landowner and local authority.

Alan Plom, event organiser for the IOSH Rural Industries Group, said: “Every year across the UK members of the public are injured, or even worse killed, when a tree falls on them.

“Landowners and managers need to step up to the mark and be aware of the risks that unsafe trees on their land pose to the general public and those who could be seriously hurt should they fall. So far this year, Northumberland alone has seen two fatalities as a result of trees falling – we want to try to prevent accidents like these ever happening in the first place.”

Over 100 health and safety professionals and landowners from across the UK have gathered at Alnwick Castle and Park to discuss the issues relating to tree safety management.

Mr Plom added: “Tree safety is no laughing matter, it’s a must. Landowners need to balance the risks and benefits that having trees on their land can bring, and adopt a sensible, proportionate position on tree safety.

“When assessing whether trees are safe it is important that risks are considered without adopting an overly defensive approach that can have a harmful effect on tree stocks or individual trees.”

There have been some high-profile incidents and widely reported civil cases relating to poor tree safety and management. Liability concerns amongst landowners have led to a defensive approach and often unnecessary felling of trees.

Speakers at the event included adviser on visitor safety at Coast, Countryside and Historic Buildings Mark Daniels, Health and Safety Executive inspector Frances Hurst, Northumberland Estates health and safety officer Gerry Frank and Northumberland County Council’s tree and woodlands officer John Alderson.

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Notes for editors:

IOSH is the Chartered body for health and safety professionals. With more than 40,000 members in 85 countries, we’re the world’s biggest professional health and safety organisation.

We set standards, and support, develop and connect our members with resources, guidance, events and training. We’re the voice of the profession, and campaign on issues that affect millions of working people.

IOSH was founded in 1945 and is a registered charity with international NGO status.