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: 1741528.015 - J&B Logging, Llp

Inspection Information - Office: Little Rock Area Office

Investigation Summary

At 8:03 a.m. on April 16, 2024, an Employee #1, Employee #2 and a coworker were topping felled trees in a cleared-out area of a logging site. The coworker was operating the John Deere 843L a Feller Buncher while Employee #1 and Employee #2 were riding on the feller head. In the process of driving, The coworker called out to Employee #1 and Employee #2 but did not get a verbal response. The coworker then stopped the equipment, got out of the cab and came to the front of the feller head. The coworker observed that the claws of the feller head had closed and crushed Employee #1 and Employee #2. Employee #1 was pronounced dead at the site with depressed skull fractures on the back of the head and a large cut to the forehead. Employee #2 was hospitalized to treat paralysis and penetrating injuries to head, neck, and torso.

Keywords: Caught Between, Chest, Crushed, Forehead, Fracture, Head, Insufficient Supervision, Logger, Logging, Misjudgment, Misjudgment of Hazardous Situation, Neck, Paralysis, Pinch Point, Pinched, Skull, Torso, Tree Felling