Inspection Detail

Inspection: 106781396 - Clifton Little Logging

Inspection Information - Office: Little Rock Area Office

Investigation Summary

Employee #1 was the only log cutter on a small logging crew. He had eaten lunch and returned to the woods alone to fell a few more trees. The owner and other members of the crew heard his chain saw running and could tell that Employee #1 was cutting. A short while later the skidder operator went looking for enough logs to complete a truck load. As the skidder operator neared the area where Employee #1 was cutting, he observed the chain saw sitting across a small log. He then saw Employee #1 lying face down about 25 feet away. Investigation revealed a knot behind Employee #1's left ear, a bruised neck, and abrasion/contusions of the upper left chest. A limb about 5 in. in diameter and 12 ft long was found at the base of a tree that Employee #1 had cut. The limb apparently had fallen as the tree moved, striking Employee #1 on his head and neck, killing him. The pines in this area had been cut over last year and there were many broken limbs visible among remaining trees.

Keywords: CHEST, HEAD, TREE FELLING, TREE LIMB, ABRASION, NECK, STRUCK BY, FALLING OBJECT, LOGGING, CONTUSION