Workers in the logging industry are exposed to serious hazards and are at increased risk for non-fatal and fatal injuries.^1–22 In 2002, the United States logging industry had a fatality rate (117.8 deaths per 100 000 workers) substantially higher than the overall national occupational fatality rate of 4.0 and other industries such as coal mining (28.7) and construction (12.2).^7,8

Injuries to West Virginia loggers are more likely to result in death compared with coal mining and construction. From 1998–2001, loggers (SIC 241, average annual workforce of 1472) died at a rate of 405 deaths per 100 000.¹⁵ This is significantly higher than rates for coal mining and construction, both with substantially larger annual workforces and lower rates—coal mining (SIC 122): 21 975 and 44.4 deaths per 100 000 and construction (SIC 16 and 17): 33 800 and 20.0 deaths per 100 000.^9,14,23 Mountainous terrain, predominance of hardwood species with large diameters and irregular shapes, and low levels of mechanized harvesting—characteristics of logging in West Virginia—exacerbate this risk.^10,13,15

Loggers are also at a higher risk for non-fatal injuries. A study of West Virginia workers’ compensation claims from 1996 to 2001 for non-fatal logging injuries reported an average annual rate of 16.0 claims per 100 loggers.¹⁵ During this same period, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a national rate of 8.5 total non-fatal injury cases per 100 loggers recordable by the Office of Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).²⁴ Because virtually all of West Virginia workers’ compensation claims would be considered recordable by the OSHA, the two rates are comparable, suggesting that the West Virginia rate is almost twice the national rate.¹⁵

Based on the recent logging industry fatality experience in West Virginia, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health-funded West Virginia Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (WVFACE) Program¹⁵ embarked on a long term project, in collaboration with the West Virginia Division of Forestry (WVDOF), to develop a safety module to educate loggers on the common hazards of their industry with the overall goal to reduce the number of injuries. The safety module included three phases: (1) incorporation of a video into required logger training and using pre-training and immediate post-training surveys to determine its impact in improving knowledge and attitude about safety; (2) the distribution and use of a logger’s field safety guide and video at the worksite to further emphasize worker safety; and (3) a telephone survey six months after training to see if worksite practices changed.

METHODS

Companies logging in West Virginia are required by state law to have at least one certified logger supervising each crew²⁵; this logger must be on the job each day but does not have to be continuously present. Certification involves a 2–3 day training session incorporating best management practices, logging operations/chainsaw safety, and verification of first aid/cardiopulmonary resuscitation training. Recertification, required within three years of initial certification, involves a one day session covering best management practices update, environmental practices, WVDOF district elective topics (for example, roads, maps, reclamation, etc), and verification of a valid first aid card.^25,26 In addition, state OSHA usually presents information on the logging standard in both certification and recertification classes. This standard establishes safety practices, methods, and operations for all types of logging.²⁷

Since April 2002, a “safety module” was added to all certified logger training classes conducted throughout the six WVDOF state forest districts. The first phase of the 45 minute safety module consisted of: (1) explanation of project and written consent; (2) pre-training survey assessing safety knowledge and attitude; (3) viewing 13 minute video and very brief introduction to the logger’s field guide; and (4) immediate post-training survey. After the first phase, videos and field guides were given to each logger to share with coworkers at the worksite. The final phase was a telephone survey six months after training to determine if loggers had shared the video and field guide and to see if these had influenced worksite habits. Information was not collected on logger’s age, experience, or education during any of the phases.

The video, Some Mistakes Last Forever, produced by WVFACE and the West Virginia University (WVU) Center for Rural Emergency Medicine featured vignettes of loggers talking about their injury experiences. Each depicted experience represents at least one WVFACE identified causal factor (for example, logs rolling off overloaded trucks, unsafe escape paths, etc) and its corresponding prevention strategy.

The WV Logger’s Safety Field Guide, a spiral bound and illustrated pocket reference, offers basic safety tips for a variety of logging tasks. Topics included implementing and managing a company safety program, felling, limbing and bucking, log loading, chain saw safety, and basic first aid.

Loggers who viewed the video during training may have worked for companies that participated in the West Virginia Loggers Safety Initiative Program. This program, begun in July 1999, is a partnership between the WVDOF, the West Virginia Forestry Association, the WVU Appalachian Hardwood Center, the West Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission, and logging companies throughout West Virginia. The objective of the Loggers Safety Initiative was to change the culture related to logging safety and its associated costs.^28,29 The main components were training, accountability, and financial incentive (that is, companies completing Loggers Safety Initiative requirements receive a reduction in workers’ compensation premium payments). Between July 1999 and June 2003 when the Loggers Safety Initiative ended, nearly 100 active West Virginia logging companies voluntarily participated in activities ranging from primary job training sessions (for workers other than fellers), safety, productivity, conservation and cutting techniques, and compliance inspections.^28,29

To facilitate direct comparisons of logger responses before and after viewing the video, 13 knowledge based questions were repeated in the pre-training and immediate post-training surveys. All of these were covered in the video, with nine repeated verbatim from audiotext and the other four from diagrams or pictures. Loggers could choose not to answer questions from any of the three surveys. If there was insufficient identification (that is, legible name) to link logger’s surveys together, or if a logger did not sign the consent form, their data were not used. Information collected is presented as counts and proportions. The information on attitudes collected was also presented in terms of counts and proportions within a Likert framework (that is, agree, neutral, or disagree). The proportion of loggers responding incorrectly to questions after viewing the video divided by the proportion of loggers responding incorrectly before the video results in a ratio, when subtracted from 1.0, that indicates the amount of improvement (that is, %) that could be attributed to the video.^30,31 Changes observed among all loggers and between subgroups (for example, certified v recertified, owners v non-owners, and Loggers Safety Initiative v non-Loggers Safety Initiative) were assessed using a χ² test. One would hypothesize that fewer respondents would answer questions incorrectly after viewing the video, thus showing improved knowledge and awareness as a result of the video.

RESULTS

From April 2002 through October 2003, a total of 1541 loggers attended 80 WVDOF training sessions. Full consent was obtained for 78% (1197). Reasons for elimination (from the database) included previously viewing the video (170), consent forms not signed or initialed (56), and surveys that could not be matched by name (118). Two thirds of those who consented attended the recertification sessions with the remaining third receiving their initial certification. About 60% of the eliminated surveys were among the recertification group.

Characteristics of loggers

Slightly over 60% were owners or operators of their own logging companies. Trainees worked in companies ranging in size from two to 23, with an average workforce of four to five employees. Owners and other workers performed a variety of jobs common to loggers including timber cutting, operating heavy equipment, and driving trucks. Respondents reported that slightly less than 40% of their companies had written safety programs with “task specific” guidelines. About one fifth of the loggers reported that their companies had participated in the West Virginia Loggers Safety Initiative Program. Other characteristics of loggers’ companies are presented in table 1.

Attitudes and knowledge of loggers

On the day of training but before the formal video presentation, loggers were asked their opinions on a variety of safety issues. Although 80% (950/1180) agreed that logging is more dangerous than other “hands-on” jobs, half (596/1184) said accidents were part of the job. Just over half (568/1011) reported that they had experienced “close calls” in the course of their work. While logging operations may typically be governed by the number of trees felled and delivered to the mill, over three quarters (898/1184) of the loggers disagreed that they must take risks in order to make a profit. An overwhelming majority of the loggers felt that safety management (997/1172) and periodic meetings (983/1179) were important.

Immediately after viewing the video, 86% (993/1153) reported that the information contained in the video was useful and 57% (647/1143) indicated that the video was more useful in comparison to the rest of the logger training components. Loggers were also asked 13 questions, repeated from the pre-training survey, to determine if there had been an improvement in knowledge as a result of viewing the video (see table 2). Several statistically significant improvements were noted, particularly with questions that were presented either by a diagram or picture (that is, the first four questions listed in table 2). For example, 54% fewer loggers responded incorrectly in identifying the safest escape path after viewing the video indicating a 46% improvement. Other significant improvements were noted in the true/false questions, as well. After viewing the video, 8% fewer trainees incorrectly identified the distance from the stump where fatal incidents occur, resulting in a 92% improvement. While there were other statistically significant improvements noted in the last seven questions in table 2, very few loggers answered incorrectly before seeing the video. The question dealing with escape path and hinge wood showed a very minor yet unexpected increase in incorrect answers after viewing the video.

Subgroup comparisons

Table 3 summarizes subgroup comparisons on changes in safety knowledge for selected questions between loggers receiving certification v recertification training, owners v non-owners, and loggers in Loggers Safety Initiative v non-Loggers Safety Initiative companies. Being an owner, a member of a company that participated in the Loggers Safety Initiative, or a certified logger at the time of training does not appear to overly influence observed changes in knowledge after viewing the video. There were some differences, however. For example, non-owners showed 13% more improvement in identifying the safest escape path than owners (53% v 40%). Loggers from companies that didn’t participate in the Loggers Safety Initiative showed 12% greater improvement in identifying the safest notch compared with loggers from companies that did participate (35% v 23%).

Behavior changes

Approximately six months after their classroom sessions, loggers were called and asked questions relating to the safety training and their subsequent use of the video and field guide. Note: loggers did not answer all questions. Twenty one percent (246/1197) who received training were successfully contacted; overall, 17% of the baseline certification group (67/393) and 24% of the baseline recertification group (179/762). The video was shared with an additional 238 coworkers and copies of the field guide were given to 226. Over half reported changed management and/or work site practices attributed to the video (132/240) and field guide (133/226). Anecdotally, many loggers said that the video increased their safety awareness and visually described safer work practices. Over ninety percent (212/232) reported that they could relate to the true stories told in the video. In response to an open ended question on the utility of the field guide, many loggers indicated that it was an excellent and quick reference, taught them valuable tips on safe cutting and felling techniques, was used in “tail gate” safety meetings.

DISCUSSION

Loggers clearly indicated that their profession is hazardous and that safety is paramount in field operations. As self reported by loggers, the use of the video during training and the video and field guide later at the worksite resulted in many changed work habits and practices, as self reported by loggers. While statistically significant improvements were observed for 10 of the 13 questions covered in the video, we believe the four questions presented pictorially were the most relevant because they represented the most serious hazards identified through WVFACE field investigations. It is quite apparent that the video strongly influenced the loggers and improved their knowledge about the primary hazards in logging and ways to mitigate these hazards. We did, however, expect loggers receiving recertification training and those from companies participating in the Loggers Safety Initiative to answer fewer questions incorrectly before the video and show more improvement afterwards.

A study by Egan et al is the only study that we are aware of that has reviewed West Virginia logger certification and training.³² In this study, 27% of the 1108 certified loggers responded to a mail survey with telephone follow up. The increased costs associated with training to meet OSHA and West Virginia regulatory requirements were a major concern to loggers. Despite the costs, loggers seemed to be pleased with the state mandated training and certification process. This study did not specifically address logger’s knowledge and attitudes nor behavior changes resulting from training.

In our study, 22% of loggers responded that their companies were participating in the Loggers Safety Initiative, but it was not known for how long. In general, our Loggers Safety Initiative specific analyses suggest that being a logger for a participating company did not influence new knowledge to any significant degree. We were somewhat surprised that there was a 12% improvement differential in the identification of the safest notch between those working for companies not participating in the Loggers Safety Initiative (35%) compared with those working for companies that did participate (23%). While our study methodology was not designed to determine the impact of the Loggers Safety Initiative, ongoing research at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health is studying it in detail.³³

A post-training survey of Kentucky loggers undergoing a three day training session reported that loggers felt training including first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, forest ecology, and best management practices was worthwhile.³⁴ The request for less emphasis on business issues and more emphasis on safety issues for future training was not surprising since less than 10% of the class were company owners. Similarly, while WVDOF logger training has been historically oriented towards best management practices, sustainable forest initiatives, and first aid, our added safety initiative has been fully adopted and has become a standard part of each training session. Ninety percent of the loggers contacted six months after their training indicated that the techniques and recommendations offered in the video and field guide were useful to them and had influenced change in their work habits. This finding does not agree with Bordas et al, whose observational research on five Alabama logging crews indicated loggers felt most safety recommendations are difficult to implement and negatively impact productivity.³⁵

Study limitations

When we first completed the video we did not adequately control its initial release. Thus, a number of loggers viewed the video before their scheduled training. We realized this after the first month of sessions (March 2002) and quickly added a question to the pre-training survey asking if the logger had already seen the video. All surveys from March and April 2002 on which loggers indicated having seen the video were not included in our analyses.

During several of the early training sessions, we were lax in ensuring that consent forms were initialed and signed by the loggers and observed, after the fact, that some loggers did not identify themselves adequately on the surveys. As a result, incomplete consent forms and surveys were not included in the final database. In subsequent sessions, we were much more cognizant of these issues and when classes were large, additional WVDOF and research staff assisted. In hindsight, information about a logger’s education and experience would have been very valuable in helping to better understand and explain observed differences among the subgroups.

For research purposes, this project is scheduled to continue through March 2005 in order to potentially train all certified loggers who must be recertified within three years of their initial training. WVDOF has indicated that, while this safety module has yielded positive results and has become well integrated into its logger training, continuance after the end of the project might be problematic in terms of manpower resources and time requirements.

The follow up rate was of concern. Initially, research staff made up to six calls, varying the time of day and day of week. Review of our success rate in the first six months indicated that three calls (no matter when attempted) would likely provide maximum contact and three additional calls added very few successful contacts. At that point, we decided not to attempt any more than three calls. A low response rate seems to be typical of the West Virginia certified logger population; other mail surveys of this group yielded similar response rates of 27%,³² and 30%.¹³ In contrast, administering a survey during a required training course yielded a very good response rate of usable surveys and may be useful for future logger studies. The ratio of recertified to certified loggers at training (67% v 33%) changed slightly at follow up (73% to 27%) and the owner to non-owner ratio also changed slightly from 62% and 38%, respectively to 57% and 43% at follow up. Neither change was unexpected.

Although our results have shown a change in safety knowledge and self reported work practices, it is unknown if these work habits were in fact carried out in the field, to what extent, and if they affect injuries and fatalities. We also do not know the impact the video and field guide may have on coworkers who may not have participated in the WVDOF training. While this safety initiative is scheduled to continue until all certified loggers are trained, the survey results reported herein were from a subset of the West Virginia logging community and results may not necessarily apply to the entire logging industry in West Virginia.