Background

            In the early afternoon of a winter morning in the Appalachians, a timber cutter was walking uphill near some trees that he had felled.

Personal Characteristics

            The 24-year-old timber cutter had two years of logging experience and had been working for this logging company for about three months. He had completed a BMP and chain saw safety class in his state, and he was reported to be a cautious worker. He was wearing a hardhat, hearing protection, face screen and chaps.

Unsafe Act or Condition

            The timber cutter headed uphill from a tree he had just felled that became lodged. A skidder approached to remove the lodged tree mechanically, and the timber cutter took the path of least resistance. He walked under the butt section of another tree that had been felled; the butt section was elevated about 5-6 off the ground because of the top of the tree and its position on the bank of the skid road below.

Accident

            While the timber cutter was walking under the elevated butt section, the tree suddenly dropped because of contact with him or breakage of the tree top. The butt struck him on the head and knocked him to the ground, and the tree came to rest on top of his head.

Injury

            The skidder operator ran to the timber cutter and freed his head. He ran to the landing to inform his supervisor, who in turn told a truck driver to call 911. The supervisor noted the victim’s massive head trauma and administered CPR. Emergency medical technicians arrived soon, but the timber cutter already was dead.

Recommendations

            1. Employers should ensure that workers understand the importance of ‘working defensively.’ Workers need to understand that elevated loads can drop at any time and therefore should be avoided.

            2. Employers should develop, implement and enforce a written safety program that includes but is not limited to task-specific safety procedures and worker training in hazard identification, avoidance and control.

            (Source: Forest Resources Assn.)