CDC STACKS serves as an archival repository of CDC-published products including scientific findings, journal articles, guidelines, recommendations, or other public health information authored or co-authored by CDC or funded partners.
As a repository, CDC STACKS retains documents in their original published format to ensure public access to scientific information.
i
Wildland Firefighter struck and fatally injured by hazard tree—Oregon
-
2023/05/28
[PDF-1.94 MB]
Details:
-
Personal Author:
-
Corporate Authors:
-
Description:A 25-year-old Caucasian male wildland firefighter was killed when a tree fell and struck him. This occurred while preparing to respond to a wildfire in Oregon. The tree appeared to be a live green tree, but had prior fire damage and was further weakened at the base by the current fire. No work was being done on or near the tree when it fell. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS - Key contributing factors identified in the investigation include: 1) Unrecognized hazards related to previously burned green trees; 2) Fire crews operating within the fall radius of a hazard tree with low visibility; 3) Time to reach definitive medical care because of remote location; 4) Due to high turnover in the industry, many of the crew members were on their first fire response; 5) Communication and team cohesion barriers among crews. RECOMMENDATIONS - Oregon FACE investigators concluded that, to help prevent similar occurrences, employers and agencies should: 1) Emphasize training on green tree hazards and situational awareness. 2) Prioritize risk management strategies, including the potential for hazard trees. 3) Increase emergency response plan, training, and equipment requirements for work in remote locations Invest in strategies to retain wildland firefighters and reduce turnover in this occupation, including a focus on training. 4) Emphasize effective communication and team building.
-
Subjects:
-
Keywords:
-
FACE - NIOSH and State:
-
Series:
-
Subseries:
-
DOI:
-
Publisher:
-
Document Type:
-
Funding:
-
Genre:
-
Place as Subject:
-
CIO:
-
Topic:
-
Location:
-
Pages in Document:1-18
-
Contributor:Hurtado, David;Boyd, Jackie;Capley, Timothy;McFarland, Malcolm;
-
NIOSHTIC Number:20069851
-
Citation:Morgantown, WV: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, FACE 22OR001, 2023 May; :1-18
-
Federal Fiscal Year:2023
-
Performing Organization:Oregon Health & Science University
-
Peer Reviewed:False
-
NAICS and SIC Codes:
-
Start Date:2005/07/01
-
End Date:2026/06/30
-
Resource Number:FACE-22OR001
-
Collection(s):
-
Main Document Checksum:
-
Download URL:
-
File Type:
