Inspection Detail

Inspection: 3101110 - William A Andrus Dba

Inspection Information - Office: Or-E-Portland - Safety 1 1054111

Investigation Summary

ON AUGUST 21, 1985, AT APPROXIMATELY 9 AM, EMPLOYEE #1 WAS KILLED WHILE FELLING TIMBER FOR THE WILLIAM ANDRUS LOGGING CO. EMPLOYEE #1 FELLED A LARGE FIR TREE (APPROXIMATELY 120 FEET IN LENGTH) DOWN A 75% GRADE. HE WALKED DOWN THE TREE, CUT THE TOP OFF THE TREE AND CAME BACK UP THE HILL TO BUCK A 40 FOOT LOG OFF THE TREE. THIS LEFT A 30 FOOT BUTT LOG ON THE UPPER PART OF THE HILL. THE BUTT LOG WAS LYING ACROSS A COUPLE OF SMALLER LOGS WHERE HE WAS MAKING HIS CUT. IT WAS APPARENT THAT HE HAD MADE AN ATTEMPT TO CLEAR A PATH OF ESCAPE BY CUTTING A SMALL VINE MAPLE. IT IS LIKELY THAT WHEN THE CUT WAS MADE, THE BUTT LOG SLID AND TURNED SIDEWAYS ON THE HILL, STRIKING EMPLOYEE #1 AND KILLING HIM.

Keywords: TREE FELLING, LOG, STRUCK BY, BUCKING, LOGGING, UNSTABLE POSITION