SKIDDER DRIVER SLIPS

June 2002
02-S-9

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BACKGROUND: A skidder operator was skidding bunched pine in the Lake States. Weather conditions were good, and the ground was flat. It was nearing quitting time, and the operator was expected to attend his son's little league baseball game.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: The 41 year old operator had many years' experience in logging and had no previous injury record.

UNSAFE ACT OR CONDITION: At quitting time, the skidder operator properly shut down his machine, dismounted from the cab, and began walking towards his pickup truck. He did not observe his footing as he hurried across the landing.

ACCIDENT: He caught his toe on some roots that were protruding from the landing surface and fell to the ground.

INJURY: He twisted his knee, causing a painful injury which made him miss three days of work.

RECOMMENDATION FOR CORRECTIONS: Take care not to let small preoccupations distract you from basic safety precautions. The employee let his attention lapse from the ground conditions of the log landing. Regardless of the time, all logging employees should recognize the inherent dangers that exist on a logging job. Recognizing and anticipating the hazards will reduce accidents.

Barb Bennett
Michigan Association of Timbermen Self-Insurers' Fund
P.O. Box 77
Newberry, Michigan 49868

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