Logger Killed When Struck by Log That Rolled of Truck During Unloading Operation
KYFACE KY9403801
Date: 17 June 1994
SUMMARY
A 51 year old male, self-employed, logger/farmer was preparing to unload logs at a saw mill. The load consisted of about 18 logs, 10-22″ in diameter and 8-12 feet long. The load had been secured by 2 binders (chains) to the back of a Chevrolet flatbed single axle truck. The forward of the 2 chains had been removed by the victim. As the second chain was loosened, a log from the top rolled off the truck striking the victim. The victim was crushed by the weight of the log. The Kentucky FACE investigator concluded that to prevent similar occurrences, loggers and logging operations should:
- Ensure that individuals work in teams when unloading logs;
- Logs should be prevented from moving while binders are being removed.
- Ensure the height of the stack of the logs shall not exceed the height of the vertical side supports.
Additionally, logging operators should establish practices where safety of contractors can be assured.
INTRODUCTION
On May 12, 1994, a 51 year old male farmer/logger was fatally struck by a log that rolled off a truck during an unloading procedure. On May 16, the Kentucky FACE investigator was notified of the fatality while reading the Lexington Herald-Leader. On May 17, 1994 the incident was investigated by an on-site visit to the scene. Interviews were conducted in person with the county coroner, a log buyer/manager of the logging company, and the state police. Reports from the EMS and Fire Department have been reviewed for pertinent data.
The victim in this incident was a self-employed farmer who logged farms in the area and sold them to a local saw mill operation. He had been logging as a means of income for nearly 15 years. During heavy work periods, he transferred 3-4 loads a day to the saw mill. He had done business with this particular saw mill for at least the past 5 years. On the day of the incident, he had transferred three loads and was in the process of unloading his fourth load for the day. Wet weather the preceding 10 days had prevented many loads from being delivered during the past week. The victim usually worked with one helper, who ordinarily accompanied him to the mill to unload the truck. The day of the incident, he was alone.
INVESTIGATION
At about 3:20 p.m. on the afternoon of the incident, the victim arrived at the saw mill with a load of white oak logs. The single axle Chevrolet truck carried between 18-20 logs, 10-18″ in diameter and 9-12 feet long. Vertical side supports 3½ feet high contained the load. Two binders (chains) secured the load to the truck.
The normal sequence of events at the mill was as follows: 1) loaded truck arrives at the saw mill; 2) contact is made with the log buyer; 3) the load is driven by the seller, to the designated area; 4) binders are released either by the saw mill personnel or the seller; 5) saw mill personnel unload the truck with a fork lift; 6) the seller leaves the site and the log buyer grades the logs and determines volume of material.
The day of the incident the truck was parked facing west on a nearly level spot on a hard packed dirt. Witnesses at the scene following the incident noticed a slight leaning of the truck toward the south (victim side). Weather conditions were warm and sunny near 75 degrees. Witnesses report the top of the log stack following the incident was between 12 and 14 feet from ground level. The load was well above the vertical side supports.
At 3:25 p.m. the victim was found under an 11″ diameter 10′ long white oak log that had rolled off the top of his loaded truck. At 3:26 p.m., 911 was called and the EMS personnel were dispatched at 3:29. They arrived at the scene at 3:41. On route to the scene they were notified by radio the victim was dead. The coroner arrived at 4:30 p.m. and pronounced the victim dead. He was removed in a body bag to the morgue at the local hospital.
Although there were no witnesses to the log falling, the following sequence of events can be deduced from the evidence. Two chains secured the load during transit from the logging site to the saw mill. The victim had loosened the front of two chains that secured the load. Moving along the left side of the truck to the rear chain, he then loosened it. When the rear chain was slackened a log from the top of the load rolled from the truck onto the victim. The rear chain was found loosely around the remaining logs at the rear of the truck. The remaining stack of logs was above the side support bars about 3′. The log near the top was noted to have a knot protruding approximately 12″ out creating a bulge on the log. This knot was about 6 feet from the end of the log. The knot was thought to have prevented the logs from nesting against one another. When the rear chain was loosened, the knot acted as a pivot point for the log. As the tension was loosened, the log began to roll. The victim was found lying near the left rear wheel in supine position. His right leg was against rear wheel. The log came to rest on victim’s head and face.
RECOMMENDATIONS/DISCUSSION
Recommendation #1: Unloading procedures should include working in pairs.
Discussion #1: Procedures at this saw mill should include working in pairs to unload logs. One person should loosen the binder as the other monitored for potential load movement. A warning from a co-worker could prevent being hit by a falling log.
Recommendation #2: During unloading, logs should be prevented from moving while binders are being removed. (Standard Number 1917.18)
Discussion #2: Shifting during transport likely occurred in this case. To prevent logs from falling due change in weight balance a front end claw loader put around the stack prior to binder release may prevent or contain log movement.
Recommendation #3: The height of the stack should not exceed the height of the vertical side supports.
Discussion # 3: Overloading the truck presents a hazard to the individual logger as well as citizens on public roadways. Binders can break allowing logs to roll off the truck. Load shift may loosen binders and allow logs to come off the truck.
REFERENCES
29 CFR 1917.18 Standard Number 1917.18 Log Handling.
FATALITY ASSESSMENT AND CONTROL EVALUATION PROGRAM
The Kentucky Department for Health Services through cooperative agreement with the University of Kentucky Department of Emergency Medicine and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), conducts investigations on the causes of work-related fatalities. The goal of this program, known as the Kentucky Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (KY FACE) is to prevent future fatal workplace injuries. KY FACE aims to achieve this goal by identifying and studying the risk factors that contribute to workplace fatalities, by recommending intervention strategies, and by disseminating prevention information to employers and employees.
KY FACE also collaborates with engineering, occupational and preventive medicine, and agricultural engineering faculty at the University of Kentucky to identify technological solutions to the hazards associated with workplace fatalities.
To contact Kentucky State FACE program personnel regarding State-based FACE reports, please use information listed on the Contact Sheet on the NIOSH FACE web site Please contact In-house FACE program personnel regarding In-house FACE reports and to gain assistance when State-FACE program personnel cannot be reached.