A study of logger fatalities from 1992-2000

Inj Prev. 2004 Aug;10(4):239-43. doi: 10.1136/ip.2003.004663.

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.

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Occupational / mortality*
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Aged
  • Cause of Death
  • Craniocerebral Trauma / mortality
  • Female
  • Forestry / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Factors
  • Seasons
  • Time Factors
  • United States / epidemiology