Inspection Detail

Inspection: 312709173 - Campbell Contract Cutting Llc

Inspection Information - Office: Eugene

Investigation Summary

On August 13, 2009, Employee #1 was hand felling timber on steep ground near the town of Blachly, OR. Employee #1 was preparing to fell a hemlock tree that had a maple tree leaning into it, with the limbs of the maple tree reaching into the hemlock's limbs. Employee #1 decided to make an escape path to his right and thought the maple would separate from the hemlock as it fell down the hill. Employee #1 made the face and back cut in the tree. The tree started to fall in the intended direction, and Employee #1 turned and started his escape. As Employee #1 cleared an old buckskin log, the top of the maple broke off and struck him on the shoulder and head. Employee #1 continued trying to get out of the way and realized he was hurt. He used his two-way radio to call his cutting partner, who was just around the corner. Employee #1's partner could not hear the radio because of saw noise. However, the logging crew hook tender, who was on the same channel, heard Employee #1's call for help and started the emergency action plan. Employee #1 was transported to the hospital and was hospitalized for treatment of head and neck injuries, which apparently included fractures.

Keywords: FRACTURE, HEAD, TREE FELLING, TREE, TREE SECTION, NECK, STRUCK BY, LOGGING