Safety Focus

During a nice fall day in the Lake States region, a logging crew was hand felling large white oak trees. The trees were felled with a chain saw. The ground where the crew was working was relatively flat. The sun was shining.

The employee was part of a four-person logging operation that had been in business for 65 years. The employee involved in the accident was a 60-year-old man who had worked in the woods for more than 30 years, hand-felling with a chain saw.

UNSAFE CONDITIONS: The employee was felling a large white oak tree at the end of the workday. The tree was felled and hung up six feet off the ground.

ACCIDENT: While the employee was working the tree free, he cut one of the limbs off. He did not notice the limb was pressured up against a smaller tree. When he cut through the limb, it sprung loose and struck him in the leg. The employee did not anticipate the limb kicking back towards him.

INJURY: The employee suffered multiple fractures in his leg that required surgery to repair. The surgery procedure involved inserting a rod and screws to stabilize the fractures and allowing the leg to heal. The employee is scheduled for 13 weeks of rehabilitation and anticipates a full recovery.

l Wear proper Personal Protection Equipment for the job you are performing. l Stay focused on your task at hand. Do not be complacent at the end of your workday. l Assess the landing area of the tree and avoid felling into areas where the tree can hang up. l Pay attention to a tree if it does become hung up and look for areas of stored energy. Assess possible cutting scenarios and risks. l Make sure your feet are on solid ground and positioned correctly before cutting.

Source: Timber Bulletin. Minnesota Timber Producers Association, March/April 2020, Volume 76. Pg. 18.

Supplied by Forest Resources Assn.