BACKGROUND: A chain saw operator was felling trees in a predominantly hardwood clearcut stand. It was afternoon of a winter day in the South.
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: The worker was in his mid-40s and had more than 20 years’ experience in the woods, mostly as a chain saw operator. The man was wearing personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, but was not using a face shield.
UNSAFE ACT OR CONDITION: The faller had felled a 12-inch dbh hardwood tree which had standing timber around it. The cutter seems to have followed safe felling procedures. He completed his back cut and retreated on his escape path where he watched the tree fall.
ACCIDENT: A limb two to three inches in diameter and 18 inches long, attached to a larger limb, struck the logger in the face. It is unclear whether this limb fell from an adjacent tree or was thrown back at him as the tree fell. If noticed during the pre-felling evaluation, this limb would not have been considered a risk. Such limbs are abundant in the woods, especially in hardwood stands.
INJURY: The limb had a small, pointed branch stub which struck the man on the right side of the nose. The stub pierced the man’s nose almost puncturing the roof of his mouth. The larger portion of the limb broke off, leaving a small sliver stuck through his nose.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CORRECTION: Tree fellers must carefully assess the potential as well as actual hazards around the trees they are felling. Overhead hazards such as dead limbs can be very difficult to detect. As this accident demonstrates, unseen or seemingly harmless forest debris can become dangerous, even fatal, missiles under almost any conditions. Clearing and using an escape path in a 45-degree angle back away from the falling tree is a good precaution, but not absolute protection, from falling limbs. Contractors should also consider the use of full-face shields (clear guard or screen) for all chain saw operators.
Courtesy of the Forest Resources Association: https://www.forestresources.org/