FATALITY FROM POORLY TENDED NECK INJURY

Feb. 2003
03-S-5

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BACKGROUND: On a late winter day after a light rain, a woods worker was moving to the next area to be harvested.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: The 55-year-old timber feller with 28 years of woods experience was felling hardwood trees on a logging job. He was walking through a recently harvested area.

UNSAFE ACT/CONDITION: The timber feller slipped in the muddy conditions and fell backwards, striking his head, neck and arm on a recently cut hardwood stump.

ACCIDENT: The timber feller returned to the loading area and complained of a headache, dizziness and a sore arm. The owner of the logging operation immediately transported the timber feller to the nearest hospital.

INJURY: On the way to the hospital, the timber feller complained of his neck being stiff and he moved his neck around trying to loosen the muscles of his neck. No head and neck restraint was used when transporting the timber feller to the hospital.

The timber feller later died from a broken neck. The movement of the neck aggravated the injury causing the area to swell and cut off the flow of blood to the brain.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CORRECTION:

• Take constant care when walking through logging sites; ground can be wet and slippery. Good boots with deep lugged soles can help with traction in slippery areas.
• In the case of a head or neck injury, the head and neck should be restrained in order to eliminate movement that might aggravate the injury.
• OSHA requires basic first-aid training for all logging crew members; however, immediate professional medical help should be provided to the victim if a serious injury is suspected.

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