Inspection Detail

Inspection: 308778687 - Pridgen Johnson Dba Pridgen Johnson Logging

Inspection Information - Office: Nc Department Of Labor - Raleigh

Investigation Summary

On May 23, 2005, Employee #1, a tree trimmer, and coworkers were cutting down a 25-inch diameter tree at a private residence. The tree was within 1-foot of a shed on the property and Employee #1 and another coworker determined that the tree may damage the shed if not controlled by more than a properly applied chainsaw. Employee #1 cut a small 3-inch deep by 4-inch wide wedge into the tree to indicate the desired direction for the tree to fall. The coworker, a skidder operator, applied pressure with the blade almost 90-degrees to the cut section. Employee #1 then moved to the side of the tree opposite the skidder and between the tree and the shed to make his cut. The pressure applied by the skidder overcame the wood fibers and pushed the stem off of the stump onto Employee #1. He became pinned between the tree and the shed and was killed. The accident investigation revealed that Employee #1 performed a bypass cut to within 2-inches of the full diameter. The coworker that operated the skidder stated that the skidder surged forward following the stem and the left front tire and struck Employee #1, pinning him between the tree and the shed. However, according to the coroner's investigation the victim was struck by the tree alone and not the tire.

Keywords: CHEST, CAUGHT BETWEEN, TREE, MANUAL MAT HANDLING, STRUCK BY, FALLING OBJECT, LOGGING, TREE TRIMMING