Inspection Detail

Inspection: 300447950 - North Country Lumber, Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Concord Area Office

Investigation Summary

Employees #1 and #2 were engaged in logging in an area near New Hampton, NH. Employee #2 was operating a skidder, winching in a group of three logs while Employee #1 stood less than one tree length away. The 7.5 in. diameter butt of a 29 ft long oak log became caught against a hemlock stump and a small, 3 in. diameter by 10 in. high maple stump. The skidder operator continued to winch it in, creating a tension in the wire rope until the log popped up over the stump and into the air. It continued to swing around, striking Employee #1 in the back of the head, just below his hard hat and slightly toward his left ear. He was transported to the hospital, where he died shortly after arrival. Employee #2 suffered bruises and abrasions when he ran down through the woods to a nearby house to call for help. He was treated at the hospital and released. There was a mark on the oak log about 25 in. from the far end that matched the ratchet pattern on Employee #1's hard hat.

Keywords: CLEARANCE, HEAD, LOG, WORK RULES, CAUGHT BY, STRUCK BY, FLYING OBJECT, LOGGING, CONTUSION