DRIVER FALLS FROM LOG LOAD

June 2001
01-S-17

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BACKGROUND: A Lake States logging company was pre-hauling wood out to an all-weather landing where, in inclement weather, their truckers could haul the wood easily out of the woods and to the mill. It was autumn and the crew was expecting the fall rains to start soon. A lone truck driver was moving the log trailers into position.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: The driver of the log truck had many years of experience in the wood industry and was considered a "Steady Eddy" by his co-workers and boss.

UNSAFE ACT OR CONDITION: Working late one evening to make things ready for the next morning, the driver was up on the pulpwood load, securing his wrapper chains. He accidentally slipped and fell to the ground -- landing at first on his feet, then on his right side.

INJURY: The driver had the wind knocked out of him and lost his glasses yet he somehow managed to climb back into his truck. He realized that he could not drive and was forced to spend the night in the warmth of his cab. Someone who was looking for him retrieved the injured driver the following morning. He was brought to the emergency room and was diagnosed with four broken ribs. The driver experienced a great deal of soreness and discomfort and missed a week of work.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CORRECTION: :

• Never work alone, either in the woods or at the landing.
• Loads of logs are never stable enough for dependable footing; binding systems must be such as to permit securement entirely from a stable position on the ground.
• The driver was wise to recognize that he was incapacitated and not to attempt to drive himself home. However, he should have had access to, and used, some form of two-way communication to signal that he was injured and needed assistance.

Forest Resources Association Inc.
600 Jefferson Plaza, Suite 350, Rockville, Maryland 20852
Phone: (301) 838-9385     Fax: (301) 838-9481