A study of logger fatalities from 1992–2000
- Correspondence to: Mr Douglas F Scott National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Spokane Research Laboratory, Spokane, WA 99207, USA; dus3cdc.gov
Abstract
Objectives: To determine if certain loggers are at increased risk of death during logging operations.
Methods: Statistical analysis of 780 logger fatalities for a nine year period (1992–2000).
Results: The major findings are: (1) treefallers suffer nearly 63% of all fatalities, (2) the region where the fatality occurred and the size of the employer were not significant factors that contributed to a high percentage of treefaller fatalities, and (3) the Northeast and Midwest regions showed a higher percentage of fatalities compared with the South and West regions.
Conclusions: Overall, the logger fatality rate for 1992–2000, compared with 1980–88 has decreased slightly; however, treefallers continue to be the group of loggers who suffer the highest fatality rate.
