BACKGROUND: A chain saw operator was trimming logs at the landing one summer morning in the South. The pine timber stand was on moderately steep, rolling terrain.
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: The 38-year old sawhand was considered fully trained. He had no accidents during his 18 months employment with this logging company. The logger was wearing personal protective equipment-a hardhat, sawchaps, and ear protection.
UNSAFE ACT OR CONDITION: For some unknown reason, the saw operator left his designated work area-the landing-and walked into the woods where the feller-buncher was actively felling trees. He did not notify any other employees where he was going and did not signal the feller-buncher operator as he approached the machine.
ACCIDENT: The chain saw operator walked into the area where the feller-buncher was operating without signaling the operator. The feller-buncher operator cut a tree and intended to place it in a pile he was building for the grapple skidder. The accumulator arms missed the tree and it started to fall just as the feller-buncher operator saw the landing worker directly in the path of the falling tree. There was no time to warn the man, and the tree fell directly on him.
INJURY: The saw operator was rushed to a local hospital where he died as a result of extensive internal injuries.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CORRECTION: Always observe the two tree-length rule: all personnel except the feller must remain at a distance from all felling operations of at least twice the height of the trees being felled. The chain saw operator should have stopped and waited for the signal of the feller-buncher operator, that felling operations had ceased and that it was safe to approach before proceeding. Employers should develop, implement, and enforce a written safety program which includes strict observance of the two tree-length rule.
Courtesy of the Forest Resources Association: https://www.forestresources.org/