Woodyard Safety

Incident Summary:

At approximately 9:45 a.m. on July 28th, John was working with a coworker moving logs at a woodyard.  John’s coworker, David, was operating a grapple loader, moving a log from one pile to another in the opposite direction of where John was standing.  John was standing about 20 feet away from the loader.  The butt of the log swung in the opposite direction hitting John on the right lower leg, fracturing it.  John was hospitalized and treated for his injuries.  

Discussion Questions:

1. Did John or David do anything unsafe?
2. Could this incident have been prevented?
3. Could the time of day or season have made a difference in this situation?
4. What could have been other consequences from this incident?  (more serious injury/death, medical bills, time off work, lost wages)

Take Home Message:

Be aware of your surroundings.

Stand at least one log’s length away from a machine moving logs.   

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