Background

On a sunny summer day in the Pacific Northwest, three timber cutters were felling hemlocks with chain saws. Their employer was subcontracted to do hand falling of timber.

The site had standing trees of various sizes, including many that were densely packed with small stems. There were a lot of “jackpots”—trees leaning into other trees with bound up tops.

Personal Characteristics

The feller who was involved in the incident was a 44-year-old timber cutter with 12 years of experience. He was wearing all required personal protective equipment.

Unsafe Acts and Conditions

The cutter made partial cuts in two trees and was going to push them down with another tree. He noticed that there was a small leaning hemlock 39 feet away on the slope above him. It did not appear to be touching the tree he was cutting, so he did not think that there was a danger of it coming down. He felled the tree and started along his escape path.

Accident

As he was retreating, he slipped and fell. While he was lying on his back on the ground, the 6-inch diameter hemlock fell and struck him in his midsection and legs.

Injury

His spine was severed, resulting in paralysis of his legs and lower body.

Recommendations for Corrections

• One worker must not fall a tree or danger tree when the assistance of another worker is necessary to minimize the risk of injury caused by overhead hazards, loose bark, or interlocked limbs, conditions of the tree or cutting conditions.
• Domino falling of trees, including danger trees, is prohibited. Domino falling does not include the falling of a single danger tree by falling another tree into it.
• Always make a thorough risk assessment of hazards in your work area.
• When conditions are especially dangerous, slow down and look for hazards, such as leaners and trees that are bound up with each other’s tops.
• Perform assessments more frequently as you work.
• When planning operations at a site, consider hazards when deciding whether to use hand fallers or mechanized equipment.