A college in Surrey has been fined £70,000 after a student was struck on the leg by a tree as it was being felled. The falling tree hit a student who was observing the operation causing fractures to one of his legs. An investigation found there was inadequate supervision and insufficient risk assessments which were not followed. http://press.hse.gov.uk/2016/college-fined-after-tree-felling-injury
Redhill Magistrates Court heard how the campus supervisor of Guildford College instructed an employee and part of the estates team to take 2 work experience students to fell a tree.
While the tree was being cut, two students arrived to observe the operation. The falling tree hit one of the students who was observing, causing fractures to one of his legs.
An investigation by HSE into the incident, which occurred in May 2015, found that there was insufficient training given to fell the tree competently, also there was inadequate supervision, the risk assessments were not sufficient and they had not been followed.
The college was fined £70,000 and ordered to pay costs of £3,461.
This case illustrates the importance of good training, adequate supervision, sufficient risk assessments and risk assessments being communicated and followed. Offering good work experience placements requires these basic H&S compliance measures being in place.