Huddle script
On January 20, 2023, a tree trimmer died while cutting a storm-damaged maple supporting two uprooted firs. Washington FACE's preliminary account says a broken fir limb lodged unnoticed in the canopy; a crack in the maple dislodged it, and it struck him. Investigators found workers exposed to loose or broken limbs overhead and that the employer's accident prevention program was not effectively enforced. These findings are preliminary, not final determinations. [1]
A first look is not the last look. For damaged trees, FACE recommends using a spotter and pausing often during felling to check for hanging or lodged limbs before continuing. Let's assess overhead hazards and agree how we will stop and reassess if conditions change. [1]
Plan the work
Adapt these planning prompts to the task; they are proposed actions, not claims about the incident. OSHA's hierarchy puts engineering solutions, including elimination or substitution, first, followed by safe work practices and administrative controls, then PPE. Discuss feasible options with workers and use a combination where needed. [3]
- Before tree care, assess falling-object hazards and have a qualified arborist survey tree structure and related hazards. [2]
- Establish and mark drop zones, and keep ground workers at least twice the tree height from tree-felling operations. Plan an escape route; use a spotter and pause often to recheck hanging or lodged limbs during damaged-tree felling. [1, 2]
- Provide properly fitting PPE for overhead falling-object hazards and ensure workers use it and are trained in its proper use. [2]
Crew discussion and actions
Adaptable discussion prompts: Where could a limb be hidden or become dislodged as the work changes? Who will watch and how will the crew communicate? Confirm the site's stop-work and no-retaliation procedures before work starts.
- Arrange the qualified arborist's survey and identify overhead hazards before tree care.
- Mark the drop zone, plan the escape route, and agree on the spotter and recheck pauses.
- Confirm required, properly fitting PPE and its use.
Planning prompt: Who will own each action, and by when? Record the owner and due time, then track completion. [3]
Close the loop: What changed during the work, and who needs to hear about it? Verification question: Have the agreed controls been implemented and checked for effectiveness? [3]
Note: Comprehension check: What does FACE recommend during damaged-tree felling to find hanging or lodged limbs? Use a spotter and pause often to check for them before continuing.
Sources
- Trimmer Struck by Limb from Storm-damaged Tree — Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, FACE. Accessed 2026-11-10. lni.wa.gov
- Tree Care Work: Falls and Falling Object Hazards — OSHA. Accessed 2026-11-10. osha.gov
- Safety Management: Hazard Prevention and Control — OSHA. Accessed 2026-11-10. osha.gov