Coroner's Finding: Howard, Lawrence Alan
Deceased
Lawrence Alan Howard
Demographics
69y, male
Date of death
2013-07-23
Finding date
2017-08-11
Cause of death
multiple injuries including vertebral fracture, chest compression with rib fractures, lung collapse, haemorrhage, and liver laceration sustained when a tree he was felling struck him
AI-generated summary
Lawrence Alan Howard, aged 69, died from multiple fatal injuries sustained while felling a tree on his rural property. He was struck by a burnt, double-header tree on sloping ground. Expert assessment identified that his tree-felling techniques fell well short of basic safety standards: scarf cuts did not meet, significant undercutting occurred, back cut was not level with no hinge wood, and inadequate cut depth for tree size. Howard had no formal training in safe tree-felling despite years of casual chainsaw use. The coroner found his death entirely avoidable through proper training, adherence to Australian Standard 2727 and the Forest Safety Code, and use of appropriate personal protective equipment. This case was reviewed alongside five other recent chainsaw-related deaths in Tasmania, revealing a disproportionate death rate (23 of 99 Australian chainsaw deaths 2000-2016 occurred in Tasmania, despite 2.15% population share). Common preventable factors included lack of formal training, poor technique, and inadequate safety precautions.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Error types
Clinical conditions
Contributing factors
- lack of formal training in tree-felling techniques
- use of hazardous tree (burnt, double-header) on sloping ground
- poor scarf cut technique with cuts not meeting
- significant undercutting during felling
- inadequate back cut depth relative to tree size
- back cut not level with no hinge wood
- working alone without supervision or assistance
- lack of proper site and tree assessment before felling attempt
Coroner's recommendations
- All chainsaw operators must undertake approved chainsaw training prior to purchasing or using a chainsaw
- All persons selling chainsaws must be accredited chainsaw operators
- All chainsaw operators must undergo regular practical reassessment
- All land owners be required to ensure that people permitted to use chainsaws on their land be appropriately qualified
- No person under the age of 16 years be permitted to own or use a chainsaw in any circumstances
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