WorkSafe Victoria is reminding all campsite and holiday park operators to check their green areas to control the risk of falling trees and branches ahead of the holiday season.
In a statement, WorkSafe said the tree assessment reminder followed the recent tragic death of a camper from a fallen tree branch.
“Recently, a camper at a holiday park died when a branch fell on his tent,” WorkSafe said.
“The man had set up camp in his allocated camping spot, locating his tent under a tree canopy, when a large branch fell on his tent as he was sleeping,” it said.
“Whilst large trees with high potential to fall or drop heavy branches in populated areas pose the highest level of risk, all trees have some level of risk of falling branches or trunks.”
WorkSafe said signs to deter people from camping under potentially dangerous trees should not be relied upon as the only means of reducing the risks associated with falling trees or branches.
“Following storms, severe weather and wind events employers should increase inspections of treed areas in workplaces and campsites and, if necessary, should incorporate periodic inspections by a qualified arborist,” the Agency said.
It said a system of work for inspecting all trees and branches at workplaces should incorporate both periodic inspections by a qualified arborist, every one to three years, and regular inspections by a designated person at the workplace.
