Personal Protective Equipment

Incident Summary:

On May 9th at approximately 10:45 a.m., Calvin was cutting a series of trees in a particularly hilly area in southern Arkansas.  When one tree fell it struck the top of a second tree, smaller tree.  The top of the second tree broke off and hit Calvin in the head.  A co‐worker witnessed the accident and called 911.  Calvin went unconscious briefly and suffered a severe concussion.   He was out of work for two weeks while recovering from his injuries.  Doctors told Calvin that the tree would have killed him if he had not been wearing his hard hat.  

Discussion Questions:

1. Could this accident have been prevented?
2. Have you ever been hit by falling objects on a logging site?
3. Do you wear a hard hat while on the logging site?
4. What other PPE should workers wear on a logging site?
5. When has PPE prevented you from being injured?

Take Home Message:

Always wear PPE on the logging site. 

A hard hat protects you from falling limbs.
Safety glasses protect your eyes from flying wood
Ear muffs or plugs protect your hearing.
Gloves protect your hands and improve your grip.
Work boots improve your stability and protect your feet.
Close fitting clothing prevent operators from getting snagged on limbs or equipment.

Check the SW Center website frequently for new factsheets: http://www.swagcenter.org/resourcesforestryfactsheets.asp

For comments or suggestions, contact Amanda Wickman at amanda.wickman@uthct.edu or by phone to
903-877-5998 or Nykole Vance at nykole.vance@uthct.edu or by phone 903-877-7935.

Created by the Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention and Education
11937 US Hwy 271
Tyler, TX 75708
www.swagcenter.org
agcenter@uthct.edu
903.877.5998