Background:

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 chainsaw. The ground where the crew was working was relatively flat. The sun was shining.

Personal Characteristics:

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 chainsaw.

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.

Recommendations for Correction:

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