Forestry is one of the most hazardous industries to work in
Forestry work is more than just a tough outdoor job, it’s statistically one of the most dangerous types of work in Great Britain. In the most recent UK figures, 23 workers in the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector were killed in work related incidents in a single year, despite the sector making up only a small portion of the overall workforce. That puts this sector at the highest rate of fatal injury per 100,000 workers of any major industry.
These tragic figures don’t just represent numbers on a page. They reflect real people who were working with dangerous machinery, at height, in remote locations or under tensioned systems like ropes and winches. Situations where, if something goes wrong, every second counts and external help may be far away. In forestry work, falls from height, being struck by moving objects and machinery incidents are among the leading causes of fatal injuries.
In such a high risk environment, forestry first aid isn’t just an add on. It’s an essential skill that can make the difference between a survivor and a statistic.
*latest Health & Safety Executive (HSE) figures for Great Britain (April 2024 – March 2025)
The Unique Risks of Forestry Work
Unlike many workplaces, forestry operations often involve:
Remote and isolated locations with limited or delayed emergency response
High-risk machinery, including chainsaws, chippers, harvesters and winches
Working at height, climbing trees or operating on uneven terrain
Ropes, rigging and tensioned systems that can fail catastrophically
Severe bleeding risks, crush injuries and traumatic amputations
Exposure to weather, increasing the risk of hypothermia or heat illness
When emergency services may take 30–60 minutes (or longer) to reach you, first aid knowledge becomes your first line of defence, not a backup.
Serious forestry incidents often involve life threatening trauma. In these situations, the outcome depends heavily on what happens before professional help arrives and can keep someone alive long enough for rescue.
Examples include:
Catastrophic bleeding from chainsaw injuries
Crush injuries from falling timber or machinery
Falls from height causing spinal or head injuries
Entrapment or suspension injuries involving ropes
Medical emergencies such as cardiac events in remote locations
Knowing how to:
Control severe bleeding
Manage shock
Maintain airways
Treat unconscious casualties
Safely manage casualties in challenging terrain
Emergency First Aid at Work + Forestry (EFAW+F): Why It’s Relevant
Standard first aid training does not always reflect the real world scenarios faced in forestry. Emergency First Aid at Work + Forestry Level 3 or EFAW + F training is designed to bridge that gap.It is a critical skill set that reflects the realities of forestry work.
It focuses on:
Trauma-based injuries, common in forestry environments
Major haemorrhage control, including the use of tourniquets and trauma dressings
Casualty management in remote or uneven terrain
Extended care, where help may be delayed
Environmental considerations, such as cold exposure
This level of training better prepares forestry workers for the severity and complexity of incidents that can occur in forestry operations.
Why This Matters for Self Employed Forestry Workers
If you are self-employed, you are often:
Working alone or in small teams
Responsible for your own safety planning
Potentially the only trained person on site
In an emergency, there may be no one else to rely on. Having appropriate forestry first aid training is part of taking professional responsibility for your own life and the lives of those you work with.
It also demonstrates due diligence when working with clients, contractors or landowners, showing that safety is taken seriously, not assumed.
Why Employers Should Prioritise Forestry Specific First Aid
For employers, first aid training is not just about compliance. It is about:
Protecting employees in high-risk environments
Reducing the severity of injuries when accidents occur
Demonstrating a strong safety culture
Meeting legal duties of care
Forestry first aid training equips workers with realistic, practical skills rather than generic classroom knowledge that may not translate well in the field. No amount of training can eliminate risk entirely in forestry work. However, forestry specific first aid training forms a vital part of a broader safety approach that includes:
Risk assessments
Safe systems of work
Proper equipment and PPE
Clear emergency plans
When incidents do happen, trained workers are calmer, more confident and more effective in responding, reducing panic and improving outcomes.
Final Thoughts on an EFAW +F First Aid Training Course
Forestry is demanding, skilled and inherently dangerous work. Accidents are not always preventable, but the consequences can often be reduced with the right knowledge and preparation.
Emergency First Aid at Work + Forestry training recognises the realities of forestry operations — remote locations, dangerous machinery, working at height and the potential for severe trauma. For both self-employed workers and employers, it is about being prepared for the moment when preparation matters most.
In forestry, first aid isn’t just a qualification, it’s a lifeline.
