Tree surgery company fined $70,000 after worker struck by trunk
27 Mar 2026•BlueSafe Team•Source: SafeWork NSW
General Forest Tree Surgeon Pty Ltd has been convicted and fined $70,000 in the Industrial Court of NSW after a worker was seriously injured by a falling section of tree trunk.
The SafeWork NSW prosecution followed an incident on 22 November 2022. The worker was struck by a section of trunk while the tree was being cut down.
The company pleaded guilty to an offence under section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 for failing to meet its duty to workers under section 19(1). It has the right to appeal its sentence.
SafeWork Commissioner Janet Schorer said: “Risk control measures for falling objects such as exclusion zones, traffic management plans and adequate supervision are well known, so businesses have no excuse for not implementing them.”
“SafeWork NSW reminds all businesses of their duty to ensure their workers are protected when working with potential falling hazards.”
Workers can raise workplace health and safety concerns anonymously with SafeWork on 13 10 50 or through the Speak Up Save Lives website. Resources on managing risks when working around trees are available to business owners and workers on the SafeWork NSW website.
The full judgment against General Forest Tree Surgeon is available on the NSW Caselaw website.
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