While he had undertaken a simple refreshment of his garden, a 63 -year -old man died in the Yvelines, crushed by the weight of a tree. A banal and yet deadly incident, which we teach us to avoid Dr Gérald Kierzek, medical director of True Medical.
The tree fell on the sixties
It is around 6.30 p.m. that the incident occurred. According to our colleagues from the Parisian, the sixty -something man decided to clean his garden by cutting imposing trees.
Earlier in the afternoon, a neighbor had already heard one “great crac“Before seeing a first tree”8 or 9 meters high” to fall. “I was afraid, I went out to see if everything was fine. It was there that he told me that he preferred to cut everything without pruning so that the branches amortize the falls“She says.
But, quickly, the man finds himself annoying posture, crushed by an imposing tree trunk. A neighbor calls help … in vain. On the spot, the firefighters try to resuscitate the victim, who will succumb soon after his injuries.
“They just returned from vacation and they were ready to leave”confides, shocked, a neighbor close to the couple.
How then to prevent such accidents when maintaining your garden? What security precautions should you adopt to protect yourself? Dr. Gérald Kierzek, medical director of True Medical, drives us.
What risks are we running to garden alone at home?
They are multiple and varied, confirms Dr Gérald Kierzek.
“The risk of falling trees or branches is real, in particular in the event of a poor estimate of the trajectory. The use of a chainsaw can be perilous: rebound, cuts or projections of debris are all risks not to neglect. If electric lines are nearby, the risk of electrocution is very real. Summer heat, combined with significant physical effort, can cause dehydration or heat stroke. Finally, musculoskeletal disorders can also occur due to the wearing of heavy loads or unsuitable postures “, warns the expert.
All these risks are amplified when working alone, without assistance or suitable equipment. “In case of doubt or lack of skills, it is better to call on a professional”, still advises the doctor.
What safety instructions are applied so as not to injure yourself?
Summer and winter, before starting to garden, think of:
- Always check the weather (no strong wind, dry floor to avoid slides);
- Inspect the tree (watch out for cracks, dead branches, animal nests);
- Locate obstacles (electric wires, buildings, cars …).
Then comes the time to equip yourself:
- Individual protections (PPE): “They include a forest helmet with a visor and hearing protection, anti-treatment gloves, safety shoes, adjusted clothes. Be careful to avoid floating tissues”, warn the emergency doctor;
- Adapted material: “A sharp chainsaw is essential, just like ropes or a harness to guide the fall if necessary. To work in height, a stable scale may be suitable, but an lifting nacelle offers much higher safety “, says the medical director of True Medical.
During slaughter:
- Plan a withdrawal area, “to flee in the event of an unforeseen fall “;
- Work in pairs: “One person monitors the fall while the other cuts“;
- The secure cutting technique: “It consists in making a directional cut on the side where the tree we want to fall, then make the final cutting line on the opposite side, slightly higher than the initial cut“;
- Never cut over the shoulders: “otherwise you risk losing control“.
After the cup, “Delerate the tree on the ground with caution (beware of rebounds) and store the tools out of reach of children“, Recommends the doctor again.
When should these tasks be delegated to a professional?
If some small tasks can be performed alone, certain situations make the presence of an expert absolutely essential.
“This is particularly the case when intervening on a tree of more than 5 to 6 meters, due to the risk of uncontrollable fall. The proximity of electric cables, housing or roads also increases the dangers. If the tree is sick, rotten or leaning in a disturbing manner, you must also redouble a precaution. Finally, in the event of lack of experience or absence of suitable equipment, it is strongly advised to act alone”, concludes Dr Gérald Kierzek.