Fatal Accident Circumstances Epidemiology (FACE) Report: Tree Feller Dies After Being Struck by a Chain Saw, South Carolina, October 9, 1992

摘要

The case of a 33 year old male tree feller who was fatally injured after being struck by a chain saw was reviewed. The victim was working at the time of the accident for a small pulpwood and firewood logging company which had been operating for 25 years. There was no written safety program nor established safe work procedure. The victim was felling, limbing and bucking trees with a 4 horsepower, 16 inch bow bar chain saw which was about 1 year old. As he was cutting through a spring pole, the tension was released and the remaining section of limb recoiled, causing the chain saw to kick back toward the victim, catching him in the throat. He died from transection of the trachea and great vessels of the neck. It was recommended that tree fellers limb trees according to safe methods as specified in 29 CFR 1910.266 for pulpwood logging. It was also recommended that employers develop, implement and enforce a written safety program. Employers should also provide first aid equipment and training for use at the jobsite.