Logging Injury Alert: Choker Setter Injured When Struck by Log

Details

• Corporate Authors:
  Washington (State). Department of Labor and Industries
• Description:
  On March 25, 2014, a 41-year-old choker setter pre-setting chokers was seriously injured when he was struck by a log being yarded. A four-man rigging crew with a rigging slinger and three choker setters were working on a 30% slope about 500 feet from the landing. The choker setters were on one side of the skyline and the rigging slinger was on the other side. After the crew had rigged a three-log turn, the choker setters began pre-setting chokers for the next turn. The rigging slinger gave the go-ahead signal and the yarder operator began moving the turn to the landing. Two of the choker setters were not in the clear of the turn. As the turn moved uphill, one of the logs in the turn upended and swung toward them. One choker setter dived under the moving log; the other choker setter was struck in the hip by the log and was seriously injured. Safety Requirements - During yarding operations: Employees must move away from the turn so as to be above or behind the turn in the clear. They must remain on their feet and face the turn before the go-ahead signal is given. See WAC 296-54-577(5). Recommended Safe Practices: Before starting pre-setting operations at a new site, the employer, jobsite supervisor, or hooktender must develop a written safety plan to ensure that pre-setting chokers will be conducted in a safe manner. The rigging slinger must ensure that all members of the crew are in the clear before giving the go-ahead signal. Before giving the go-ahead signal, make visual or audible voice contact to ensure all members of the crew are in the clear. Choker setters must not set their chokers until a turn clears their area and they are in the clear. Remember it's never you until it is - keep the team safe by reporting hazards. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Forestry Hazardous Substances Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Equipment Operation Forestry Workers Hazard Communication Injuries Logging Industry Logging Workers Safety Practices
• Publisher:
  Washington State Department of Labor and Industries
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Report
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 10 ; Washington
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1-2
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20060991
• Citation:
  Olympia, WA: Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, 92-12-2014, 2014 Oct; :1-2
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2015
• Performing Organization:
  Washington State Department of Labor and Industries
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  Logging injury alert: choker setter injured when struck by log
• End Date:
  20260630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:7c4e76161661fe03c58dd35fffdd3f800c1484c074ac983016e99a34f68b93e69536cd9ba0661aaace9037047e0eb1022bb60ee7fdf92cd178396c5f710e9cd7
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/224703/cdc_224703_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 409.06 KB ]