Inspection Detail

Note: The following inspection has not been indicated as closed. OSHA citation items will be posted 30 (thirty) days after the employer receives the citation(s), except in cases of significant public interest. Posted citation items reflect any amendments to citations that are the result of a prompt settlement, which OSHA encourages. Employers and employee representatives will continue to receive copies of the citation(s) upon issuance.

Inspection: 1644865.015 - Tri State Timber Sawmill, Llc.

Inspection Information - Office: Kansas City Area Office

Investigation Summary

At 9:00 a.m. on January 11, 2023, an employee was working as the off-bearer at the Hurdle sawmill located in the main building when he saw something wrong with the head saw and indicated the problem to the saw operator by flipping a toggle switch that turned on a light in the sawyers' cab. The head saw cutch was engaged by the employee and the sawyer left the cab to go inspect head saw. The vertical edger was left running during this time. While inspecting the saw the sawyer heard a noise behind him and he turned around to find the employee caught up in the blades of the vertical edger. The sawyer was focused on inspecting the head saw and did not observe the employee coming into contact with vertical edger blades. The employee died from his injuries.

Keywords: Caught By, Sawblade, Sawmill, Sawyer