Latest ‘Fatal Facts’ focuses on logging operations

Washington – A new resource from OSHA highlights the dangers of skyline-skidding operations in the logging industry.

The resource, released on Sept. 1, is the latest from OSHA’s Fatal Facts series. It focuses on the death of a 37-year-old male logger who was killed on his first day with his new employer. The victim was working as a chokersetter in a skyline-skidding operation when the skyline lost tension and caused a 1,200-pound carriage to fall on top of him.

OSHA offers the following recommendations to employers to help prevent fatalities involving equipment failure:

• Ensure each machine, including excaliners, is inspected before the start of each work shift.
• Post instructions on or near each machine about proper operations and maintenance, and ensure machine operators and mechanics obey those instructions.
• Implement site-specific safe work procedures for skyline-skidding operations and train workers about those procedures, including time spent standing near the mainline and beneath the carriage.
• Do not make modifications to a machine that affect the equipment’s capacity or safe operation without first obtaining written approval from the manufacturer or a qualified engineer.