Anolysis of Logging ond Sqwmill 10a tnlurres

(Bosed on CIAPA chort)

The accompanying chart, giving 1953 injury figures of the California Lumbermen's Accident Prevention Association, shows that this Association is actively interested in preventing injuries. In 1950, the injury frequency rate was 64. In 1953, it was 48.8, a 25/o teduction.

The chart shows the following major causes of injuries:

5. Falling, slipping, stumbling '.21.CI% of total

8. Lifting, pushing, pulling - '. '.16.2% of total

14. Handling lumber or materials .12.5% of total

9. Struck by falling and flying objects '.11.6% of total

These, incidentally, are the major causes in most industries.

To eliminate these four causes of injuries would be a tremendous and difficult job. However, they can easily be ' greatly reduced by "careful planning." Careful planning means planning on at least three levels:

Engineering

SuPervisorY

Placing and training of workers

Planning is largely based on past experience, which can be obtained only by a thorough investigation of each and every injury. The results of each investigation should be passed on to all foremen and supervisors, so that they in turn can benefit by them and plan to eliminate the danger.

The Number Five item-falling, slipping, stumbling-is generally caused by: a. IJnsafe working surfaces. b. Inadequate shoes for the job. c. Poor housekeePing. d. Too much haste.

The Number Eight item-lifting, pushing and pullingis generally caused bY: a. Unsafe working surfaces. b. Lack of mechanical lifting devices. c. Lack of training in lifting.

The Number Fourteen item-handling lumber or materials-is generally caused by: a. Lack of protective apparel, such as gloves, leather aprons, and special tools. b. Lack of training of workmen as to how to handle materials and how to protect fellow workmen'

The Number Nine item-struck by falling and flying objects-is generally caused bY: a. Lack of training of workmen in staying clear of material being handled by cranes, loaders, etc. b. Improper methods of releasing binders on logs and lumber trucks. c. Lack of head protection.

The most efiective preventiVe 'measures for all four causes of injuries are: a. Enforcement of rules and recommendations; and b. Thorough job training procedures for all workmen.

After a careful study of the efiectiveness of the C. R. Johnson Safety Award Group in the Redwood area, the California Lumbermen's Accident Prevention Association officers and directors formulated a district plan for all concerns have both logging and sawmill operations' The program consists of setting uP: a. Safety committees for each department (with their duties outlined). b. Injury investigation procedures. c. Injury prevention measures.

Awards will be given at the end of each calendar year for the best records.

If this plan gets proper backing from both labor and management, operating as a teani, (as in the case of the Forest Products Section of the California Industrial Safety Conference) ; and if the industry remembers that' injury prevention is a goal in itself, a goal which will not only eliminate suffering and financial loss to employees, but will lower production costs at the same time-then the results will be most gratifying.

Accomplishing a good injury prevention program takes more than just appointing a committee. It calls for a good selling job, with top management as the head salesman.