Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Report for Kentucky: Log Rolls off Truck at Sawmill Killing Employee

摘要

In December 1998, a 31-year-old male (the victim) sawmill employee was killed when struck by a log that rolled off the truck as he was preparing it to be unloaded. The victim had just returned to the sawmill with a load of poplar logs that were stacked well above the standards. Three straps had been placed around the load to keep the logs in place. Although he was waiting in line for his truck to be unloaded, he exited the truck and began releasing the straps. He loosened the straps on the driver side and then went to the passenger side to remove them. As he neared the passenger side door, he was struck by a falling log. The sound of the fallen log alerted the truck driver in front of him. He got out of his truck and saw the victim pinned under a log. He initiated the call to Emergency Medical Services (EMS) at 9:10 a.m. and they arrived at 9:12 a.m. The victim was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead by the county coroner. In order to prevent similar incidents from occurring, FACE investigators recommend: (1) The height of the logs should not exceed the height of the standards on the truck; (2) Binders on logs should not be released prior to securing with an unloading device (1910.265(d)(i)(b)); (3) Binders should be released only from the side on which the unloader operates except when the person making the release is using a remote control device or is protected by racks (1910.265(d)(i)(c)); (4) Written policies should be in place regarding unloading procedures for loggers at the mill, and the policies should be enforced by the mill owners; and, (5) Loggers should consider wearing head protection (hard hat) to protect against head injuries from falling objects (1910.265(g)).