X 1. 3;

Injuries in the Logging

Industry

U.S. Department of Labor 

Bureau of Labor Statistics 

June 1984

Bulletin 2203
Injuries in the Logging

Industry

U.S. Department of Labor 

Raymond J. Donovan, Secretary

Bureau of Labor Statistics 

Janet L. Norwood, Commissioner 

June 1984

Bulletin 2203

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, D.C. 20402

Preface

This bulletin summarizes the results of a survey of 

workers who were injured while performing logging activities. The survey, conducted during the period April 

through June 1982, will assist the Occupational Safety 

and Health Administration (OSHA) in developing safety standards, compliance strategy, and training programs for reducing work-related injuries.

The survey was conducted by the Bureau’s Office of 

Occupational Safety and Health Statistics in cooperation with the following States: Alaska, Arkansas, 

California, Kentucky, Maine, Montana, North 

Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, and 

Washington. BLS regional offices coordinated State 

operations. The Offices of Compliance; Standards 

Development; Statistical Studies and Analysis; and 

Training of OSHA and the Office of Safety Research of 

the National Institute for Occupational Safety and 

Health contributed to the planning and development of 

the survey. Lyn Pearson developed the questionnaire, 

computer programs for editing and tabulating the data, 

and analyzed the survey findings. Larry Jones assisted 

in editing survey questionnaires. Helen McDonald 

directed the survey under the supervision of Herbert

Schaffer. We wish to acknowledge the contribution of 

the Western Wood Products Association which provided valuable technical assistance.

Data in the survey indicate how and why injuries occurred among the workers studied in the 12 cooperating 

States, but the user should exercise caution in extrapolating data to estimate injuries for the entire 

population. States participating in data collection may 

not represent the country as a whole, and reporting requirements for workers’ compensation reports, the 

source for selecting injuries for study, vary among 

States. Furthermore, data collection periods are not intended to represent the entire year.

For analytical purposes, incidence rates of the injuries 

studied were not generated, nor can they be inferred 

from the data because information on hours of work 

during the survey period is not available. See appendix 

A for the scope and methodology of the survey.

Material in this publication is in the public domain 

and, with appropriate credit, may be reproduced 

without permission.

A list of other Work Injury Reports published since 

1978 appears at the end of this bulletin.

iii
'

)
Contents

Page

Summary................................................................. 1

Charts:

Injuries in the logging industry, selected States, April-June 1982:

1. Selected occupations................................................................................................ 2

2. Selected activity at time of accident....................... .................................................. 3

3. Hours worked prior to accident............................................................................... 6

Tables:

Injuries in the logging industry, selected States, April-June 1982:

1. Occupation................................................................................................................ 7

2. Age of w orker.......................................................................................................... 7

3. Work experience and method of pay....................................................................... 8

4. Estimated days away from w ork............................................................................. 8

5. Length of hospitalization required......................................................................... 9

6. Nature of injury........................................................................................................ 9

7. Part of body affected.............................................................................................. 10

8. Activity at time of accident....................................................................................... 11

9. Description of worksite............................................................................................ 12

10. Description of accident................................................ 13

11. Selected description of accident by source of injury.............................................. 14

12. Falls from elevations or to the same level............................................................... 15

13. Injuries involving chainsaws ................................................................................... 16

14. Safety training................................................................. 17

15. Conditions or factors contributing to accident ...................................................... 17

16. Hours worked and rest periods prior to accident.................................................... 18

17. Source of injury ...................................................................................................... 19

18. Sex of w orker........................................................................................................... 19

Appendixes:

A. Survey explanatory n o te .......................................................................................... 20

B. Participating State agencies....................................................................................... 21

C. Survey questionnaire.........................- ..................................................................... 22

Summary

The Bureau of Labor Statistics conducted a survey of 

1,086 injured workers in the logging industry during the 

period April through June 1982.1 The survey revealed 

that one-half of these workers were injured while engaged in cutting operations such as felling trees, bucking 

logs, or removing limbs from felled trees. Injuries 

resulted equally from workers being struck or crushed 

by wood (logs, trees, etc.) and from slipping, tripping, 

or falling (24 percent each) while 20 percent of the injuries resulted from contact with chainsaws. Almost 

three-fourths of those injured missed 1 or more days of 

work as a result of their accidents while one-fifth were 

hospitalized an average of 6 nights.

The high risk of injury faced by loggers is reflected in 

the injury and illness rate for workers in the logging industry. In 1982, there were 20.4 injuries and illnesses per 

100 full-time workers, more than 2.5 times the national 

rate.1 2 The incidence rate of lost-workday cases for injuries and illnesses was 12.9, more than 3.5 times greater 

than the national rate, while the rate of lost workdays, 

303.5, was over 5 times greater than the national rate.

Logging methods are generally similar in all regions 

of the country where trees are felled and converted into 

logs, although differences in terrain, type, and size of 

timber will dictate some variation in procedures. The 

tree is felled, usually with a chainsaw, branches are cut 

off (limbing), and the tree is measured and cut into 

manageable lengths (bucking). Logs are then 

transported (skidded or yarded) to central locations 

(landings) by one of several methods. Where the ground 

is relatively flat, logs are hooked to a tractor, known as 

a skidder, by steel cables and nooses called chokers, and 

dragged to the landing where further trimming and processing may be done. If terrain is very steep or rough, 

the logs may be transported by steel cables attached to a 

remote winching apparatus (called a yarder) via a 

system of cables, blocks, pulleys, and carriages. Logs 

are either partially suspended and dragged over the 

ground (high-lead yarding) or actually hoisted into the 

air and conveyed on overhead cables (sky-line yarding) 

to the landing. After logs are yarded, they are loaded, 

either manually or mechanically, onto trucks, railroad 

cars, or barges, or formed into log rafts for transport to 

the sawmill.

At every step in the logging process, from felling the 

tree to transporting it to the mill, workers are subject to

1 See appendix A for a description o f the scope o f the survey.

2 Occupational Injuries and Illnesses in the United States by Industry, 1982,

Bulletin 2196 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1984), table 1.

a variety of hazards from the environment, type of 

work, and equipment used. Weather conditions are 

often poor since logging may continue regardless of 

rain, snow, or excessive heat. Terrain may be steep or 

rocky and, inevitably, ground litter, such as deadwood, 

leaves, or vines presents obstacles that restrict workers’ 

freedom of movement. In addition, workers may encounter other hazards and nuisances such as snakes, 

stinging insects, poison ivy, or poison oak. The trees 

themselves present hazards due to their weight and bulk. 

Improper cutting, defects in the wood, or unexpected 

gusts of wind can cause a tree to fall improperly. 

Moreover, once on the ground, logs may roll or shift 

without warning. The equipment loggers use can also 

pose hazards. Chainsaws may kick back into the 

operator if the cut is not precise, if the blade is dull, or 

for a variety of other reasons. Skidding tractors often 

must be operated on uneven trails, increasing the risk of 

rollover, and overhead yarding systems have a variety of 

moving parts that may cause injury to the workers. 

Most logging work is physically demanding and operations are usually carried on as long as there is daylight or 

longer if floodlights are used.

In addition, loggers are sometimes exposed to uniquely hazardous conditions such as those found at the site 

of the Mount St. Helens eruption. Workers conducting 

salvage operations on Mount St. Helens are required to 

contend with heavy layers of ash that produce slippery 

conditions and become veritable bogs in the rain. In dry 

weather, windblown ash may cut visibility. The fire connected with the eruption caused the bark of trees to 

loosen and the wood to become brittle, fragile, and 

liable to unanticipated breakage. Trees were toppled in 

such random and unstable arrangements that more than 

one worker likened working on Mount St. Helens to 

climbing over giant pickup sticks.

Occupation

Nearly one-half the injured workers were employed in 

occupations that dealt almost exclusively with cutting 

timber or trimming logs (chart 1). These occupations 

were: Chopper, cutter, saw operator, or saw hand; 

faller, faller-bucker, or bullbuck; logger; sawyer; and 

bucker, busheler, or woodsman.

Sixteen percent of the workers were in occupations 

associated with yarding operations at the landing site: 

Chaser; hooker or hooktender; rigging slinger; knot

1
Chart 1. Selected occupations: Injuries in the logging industry, selected States, April-June 1982

Chopper, cutter, saw operator, 

saw hand

Faller, faller-bucker, bullbuck 

Choker setter 

Chaser 

Logger 

Skidder operator 

Truckdriver, pulpwood hauler 

Hooker, hooktender 

Rigging stinger 

Sawyer

Bucker, busheler, or woodsman

Knot bumper or stationary 

equipment operator

0 5 10 15 20 25

Percent

bumper; and stationary equipment operator. An equal 

proportion were classified either as choker setter or 

skidder operator, occupations involved in transporting 

logs away from the cutting site.

Age, experience, and method of pay

Three-fifths of those injured were less than 35 years 

old and, of these, about one-third were under 25 (table 

2). Yet, overall, the workers were experienced, with 

more than four-fifths having 1 or more years of experience in the logging industry and two-fifths having at 

least 10 years (table 3).

Nearly two-thirds of those injured were paid on an 

hourly or weekly basis while one-third were paid 

straight piecework rates. Several workers stated they felt 

piecework encouraged unsafe practices since they had to 

work as fast as possible to make what they considered a 

living wage. However, hourly or weekly paid workers 

occasionally complained that they too were under 

pressure to produce as fast as possible regardless of 

safety. Slightly more than one-fifth of the workers indicated that working too fast was a contributing factor 

to their accidents.

Lost workdays, hospitalization, and injuries

Nearly three-fourths of the workers lost time because

of their injuries. The average lost-time case resulted in 

23 days away from work (table 4). One-fifth of those injured required hospitalization with an average hospital 

stay of 6 nights (table 5).

The most common injuries were cuts, lacerations, or 

punctures, which affected one-fourth of the workers, 

followed by sprains and strains, suffered by slightly 

fewer than one-fourth of those surveyed (table 6). Fractures accounted for about one-seventh of the injuries 

and were more than double the proportion found in all 

industries in States participating in the survey.3 About 

one-third of the cases involved injury to legs, ankles, or 

feet. Of these, injuries to the legs, just over one-fifth of 

the cases, were more frequent (table 7). Injuries to the 

trunk (including back injuries) occurred in almost onefourth of the cases and to the upper extremities in just 

under one-fifth of the cases.

Activity at time of accident

Nearly one-quarter of the injuries were accounted for 

by workers felling trees, while those limbing and bucking accounted for 15 and 12 percent of the injuries, 

respectively (chart 2). Workers who were choker setting

3 Supplementary Data System, 1981 data excluding Arkansas, North

Carolina, and Virginia.

2
or hooking up “ turns” (logs grouped and yarded 

together) experienced 14 percent of the injuries; workers 

engaged in tractor or cable skidding operations, 9 percent of the injuries. The proportions of injuries 

resulting from chasing activities and loading or 

unloading were 5 percent each. Four percent of the injuries occurred to workers involved in rigging cable 

yarding systems (setting up skid cables, blocks and 

tackles, guylines, etc.).

The potential for injury in these activities is best illustrated by a description of the logging process itself 

and attendant hazards. In felling a tree, the cutter must 

take into consideration weather conditions, especially 

wind; terrain and slope of the cutting site; and the condition of the tree (particularly its lean) and trees surrounding it; and where the tree will ultimately fall. If 

any of the several cuts required to fell the tree are made 

improperly, it may fall in the wrong place, snap off the 

stump (an occurrence known as barber-chairing), or 

become tangled in other trees on the way down. As the 

tree falls, limbs can break off or deadwood can be 

catapulted from the ground when the tree lands.

After the tree is felled, most of the limbs must be 

removed before it can be transported from the cutting 

site. If the tree is large, it will be bucked into shorter, 

more manageable lengths. Both limbing and bucking 

are potentially hazardous since felled trees may be 

unstable and work often involves climbing over the logs 

and cutting in awkward positions.

Once trees are felled, limbed, and bucked, they must 

be transported over skid trails to the landing site. Logs 

are either attached to tractors for tractor skidding, or to 

cable systems for cable yarding. Workers known as 

choker setters slip a noose or choker around the log and 

fasten it. This, in turn, is hooked up to the tractor cable 

or cable yarding system. Choker setters are subject to 

many of the same hazards as fallers, limbers, and 

buckers; the primary dangers are shifting logs, falling 

wood, or unsafe footing. Skidder operators, on the 

other hand, must contend with narrow, often uneven, 

skid trails. The operator must guard against overturning 

the tractor, being struck by limbs from surrounding 

trees, or getting his turn of logs caught on obstructions.

When logs reach the landing, they are unhooked from

3
the yarding system. If tractor skidding is performed, the 

tractor operator may handle this task but if a cable yarding system is used, workers known as chasers unhook 

the logs. The wood is then stacked to await loading for 

transport to the mill.

Location, terrain, and ground cover

The logging site can be roughly divided into three major areas: The cutting site, the landing, and the skid 

trails in between. More than one-half of all injuries occurred at the cutting site; one-fifth at the landing; and 

slightly fewer than one-fifth, on skid trails (table 9). 

Most of the remaining injuries occurred on roads while 

workers were transporting logs, equipment, or other 

workers.

Sloping terrain and ground cover of any type tend to 

hamper^ movement of fallers and other personnel 

whether moving from one cutting site to another or running from falling trees. Nearly three-fifths of the 

workers reported that their accidents occurred on 

moderately or steeply sloped terrain and more than 

three-fifths said the ground was covered with moderate 

to heavy brush or ground cover.

Protective equipment and safety features

Most workers were wearing some personal protective 

equipment; only 4 percent stated they were not wearing 

or using any (table 8). Almost 9 out of 10 workers were 

wearing hard hats at the time of injury and 3 out of 4 

were using gloves. Boots with calked or corked soles 

were worn by 3 out of 5 workers while nearly 3 out of 10 

had steel-toed boots. Three out of ten workers were 

equipped with either chaps or kneepads to protect their 

legs from injury.

A number of workers volunteered comments about 

personal protective equipment. Their remarks often had 

to do with comfort, visibility, being able to hear noise in 

the work area, or the practicality of wearing the equipment. Footwear was described as a problem by several 

workers who noted that boots suitable for general logging work or operating equipment were not necessarily 

good for walking on logs (spiked boots were recommended for that purpose). On the other hand, spiked 

boots were not practical for most other logging activities, particularly operating equipment. Several 

workers were decidedly against wearing chaps, saying 

that they restricted movement. One worker specifically 

stated he believed his injury occurred when his legs 

became entangled in his chaps while running from a falling tree. He tripped and was hit by the tree. Some 

workers commented that, although goggles were useful 

in protecting the eyes from sawdust and other flying objects, they were usually hot and uncomfortable or 

restricted peripheral vision. Hearing protection was 

perceived by some to be a hazard since workers call warnings to each other. However, some workers overcame

this problem by using whistles or a visual code system 

to indicate such things as falling trees or moving equipment in the vicinity.

Workers operating tractors, trucks, or other mobile 

equipment when injured were asked what safety 

features were present on the equipment. Although there 

were seat belts in 32 of the 51 vehicles, only six workers 

indicated they were using them. Almost three-fifths of 

the vehicles had cages or covers to protect against falling 

objects while slightly more than one-half had rollover 

protection.

More than 7 out of 10 workers injured by chainsaws 

indicated the saws had one or more safety features. The 

most common, present on 4 out of 10 saws, was a lowkickback chain. More than 3 out of 10 saws were equipped with chain brakes and 2 out of 10, with deadman 

switches.

Accidents involving workers struck by wood

Nearly one-fourth of the workers were struck or 

crushed by limbs, trees, or logs, making this one of the 

most prominent causes of injury (table 10). These accidents occurred in a variety of ways. Dead wood or 

“ widow makers” were sometimes released spontaneously or during the felling process as the tree dropped or as it struck nearby trees on the way down. Factors such as twisted or leaning trunks, rotted wood, or 

wind caused some trees to fall in unexpected spots. If a 

tree did not fall into a clean “ bed,” wood or ground litter catapulted into the air when the tree struck the 

ground. Of the 259 workers struck or crushed by wood, 

about one-half were hit by falling trees, limbs, or branches 

while one-quarter were struck by wood catapulted 

through the air or by “ springpoles,” which occur when 

wood under tension is suddenly released (table 11).

Accidents involving falls

Almost one-quarter of the workers received injuries 

as a result of slips, trips, or falls. Of these, threequarters either fell from elevations or fell to the same 

level. As shown in table 12, falls from elevations and 

falls to the same level occurred in equal numbers. About 

three-fifths of the workers who fell from elevations were 

walking or standing on logs. Many of these workers 

simply lost their balance on these uneven surfaces and 

fell to the ground, while other falls were attributed to 

slippery or loose bark or to the sudden shifting of the 

log. One-fourth of the falls from elevations occurred 

when workers fell from mobile equipment, most frequently trucks. One-tenth of the workers were originally 

at ground level but fell to lower surfaces, often into 

ravines or stream beds. Of those who fell to the same 

level, about two-fifths fell to the ground. These falls 

were accounted for by such things as protruding roots, 

deadwood, leaves, vines, and other woods litter as well 

as rocks and uneven ground. One-fourth of the workers

4
who fell to the same level landed on felled trees or other 

wood on the ground.

Accidents involving chainsaws

One-fifth of the workers were injured by chainsaws. 

Nearly two-thirds of these workers said that the accident 

occurred when the saw kicked back. Most of the other 

injuries involving chainsaws occurred when workers fell 

on their saws (table 13). Over three-fourths of those injured by chainsaws were cutting with the saw when the 

injury occurred.

Safety training

More than 6 out of 10 workers indicated they received 

safety training in logging (table 14). Supervisors or 

employers provided safety training to 4 out of 10 

workers and nearly 3 out of 10 were trained by a coworker.

Factors .contributing to the accident

Almost two-thirds of the workers cited one or more 

natural conditions that contributed to their accidents 

(table 15). Close to one-fifth said heavy brush or ground 

cover was responsible while slightly more than one-tenth 

blamed steep terrain. About one-tenth also indicated 

that springpoles or wood under tension caused their accidents.

In responding to a question regarding other contributing factors, slightly more than one-fifth of the 

workers blamed their accidents on working too fast. 

The next most frequently mentioned contributing factors were: Misjudging time or distance needed to avoid 

injury, cited by one-seventh of the workers; and being 

unaware of hazards, one-tenth of the workers.

Time of accident and rest periods

Workers were asked to provide information about 

when during the workday their accidents occurred. 

Relatively few accidents, 7 percent, happened during the 

first hour of work and slightly more than double this 

amount occurred during the second hour. Accidents 

peaked during the third hour of work and dropped off 

during the rest of the workday (chart 3).

In general, those responding to the survey took pride 

in the physical demands of their work and seemed 

resigned to the fact they would experience accidents 

occasionally. Although climbing through underbrush or 

up and down hills or mountains while carrying a chainsaw or other logging equipment places stress on the 

body, relatively few workers, only 64, attributed their 

accidents to fatigue. However, one-third of the accidents occurred when the person injured had been 

working from 1 to 2 hours without a break and a similar 

proportion occurred after 2 to 4 hours of unbroken 

work (table 16).

Comparison of Western and nonwestern States

Because of variations in terrain and size of timber 

being cut, there are some fundamental differences in 

western and nonwestern logging practices. Selected 

data4 for participating Western States—Alaska, 

California, Montana, Oregon, and Washington—were 

compared to the nonwestern States in the survey— 

Arkansas, Kentucky, Maine, North Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, and Virginia.

Western workers were more than 3 times as likely to 

be working on steep terrain as workers in nonwestern 

States (table 9). They were also more likely to be engaged in clearcut logging while selective cutting was more 

prominent in the other States.

Occupational classifications of injured workers 

varied by region (table 1). Occupations in the Western 

States tended to be more task-specific, that is, fallers 

generally restricted their activities to felling trees and 

choker setters to attaching logs by cable to skidders or 

cable yarding systems. In other areas of the country, 

workers frequently performed a wider variety of jobs, 

and this is reflected in more generalized job titles such as 

logger or woodsman.

Primarily because of differences in logging procedures in the two areas, workers’ activities at the time 

of the accident differed (table 8). Tractor skidding 

rather than cable skidding is performed in nonwestern 

States; therefore, 9 percent of the injuries in these States 

were related to tractor skidding. Seventeen percent of 

the Western States’ workers, on the other hand, experienced accidents resulting from cable skidding and 

related activities such as chasing and rigging; only 3 percent of their accidents resulted from tractor skidding. 

Both groups had relatively high proportions of injuries 

while felling and limbing but western workers had 

greater numbers of injuries resulting from bucking and 

choker setting, possibly explained by the large size of 

the logs these workers handle.

Western States’ workers frequently wore more protective equipment than loggers in nonwestern States 

(table 8). Proportionately, western workers wore calked 

boots nearly 4 times more often than nonwestern 

workers and earplugs or hearing protection about 3.5 

times more often. These workers also wore dust masks, 

glasses, gloves, goggles, and hard hats more frequently 

than nonwestern workers. However, workers in 

nonwestern States were more likely to use leg protection 

and boots with steel toes.

With a few exceptions, both groups of workers attributed their accidents to similar causes (table 15). 

Reflective of the difference in terrain, western workers 

cited steep worksites as contributing factors more than 5

4 Due to differences in workers’ compensation reporting requirements, lost

workdays, nature o f injury, and related data were not compared for Western and

non western States.

5
Chart 3. Hours worked prior to accident: Injuries in the logging industry, selected States,

April-June 1982

Percent

Less 1 to 2 2 to 4 4 to 6 6 to 8 8 hours Don t

than hours hours hours hours or more remember

1 hour

times as frequently as nonwestern workers. On the other 

hand, nonwestern workers stated that snags or deadwood in the trees contributed to their accidents twice as 

often as western workers. Other notable differences in 

contributing factors were that nonwestern workers said 

their accidents resulted from being unaware of hazards

or from using the wrong cutting method about twice as 

frequently as those in the West, a possible reflection on 

their level of training in safe logging procedures. Onehalf of the nonwestern workers stated they never received safety training as opposed to slightly less than onethird of the western workers (table 14).

6
Table 1. Occupation: Injuries in the logging industry, selected States by region,

April-June 1982

Occupation

All States Western

States

Nonwestern

States

Number Percent Percent

Total ............................................................................................... 1,086

11

100 100

1

100

Bucker ................................................................................................... 1

Busheler ............................................................................................... 8 1 1

Chaser................................................................................................... 71 7 10

Choke setter, choker setter ................................................................ 106 10 14

Chopper, cutter, saw operator, saw hand, etc.................................... 217 20 10 40

Falter, faller-bucker, bullbuck.............................................................. 148 14 20 1

Hooker or hooktender.......................................................................... 48 4 7

Knot bumper ........................................................................................ 5 O 1

Laborer, brusher.................................................................................. 14 1 2 1

Logger................................................................................................... 71 7 6 7

Owner.................................................................................................... 5 0

1

1

Rigger.................................................................................................... 8 1

Rigging slinger, slinger......................................................................... 39 4 5

Sawyer .................................................................................................. 30 3 4 1

Skidder operator.................................................................................. 57 5 4 8

Supervisor or foreman......................................................................... 7 1 1 O

Truckdriver or pulpwood hauler........................................................... 57 5 5 5

Mobile equipment operator, n.e.c......................................................... 24 2 2 3

Stationary equipment operator ............................................................ 11 1 1

Woodsman ........................................................................................... 14 1 4

Other ..................................................................................................... 41 4 3 5

Nonclassifiable..................................................................................... 94 9 1 25

1 Less than 0.5 percent. to 100. See appendix A for the scope of the survey,

n.e.c. = not elsewhere classified. Dashes indicate that no data were reported.

NOTE: Due to rounding, percentages may not add SOURCE: State workers’ compensation reports.

Table 2. Age of worker: Injuries in the logging industry, selected States,

April-June 1982

Age Number Percent

Total ............................................................................................... 1,086

40

100

16-19 years .......................................................................................... 4

20-24 years .......................................................................................... 196 18

25-34 years .......................................................................................... 413 38

35-44 years .......................................................................................... 188 17

45-54 years .......................................................................................... 109 10

55-64 years .......................................................................................... 58 5

65 years or more................................................................................. 6 1

Not available ........................................................................................ 76 7

NOTE: Due to rounding, percentages SOURCE: State workers’ compensation

may not add to 100. See appendix A for reports, 

the scope of the survey.

7
Table 3. Work experience and method of pay: Injuries in the logging industry, selected

States, April-June 1982

Experience and method of pay

All States Western

States

Nonwestern

States

Number Percent Percent

Length of time in logging

Total .............................................................................................. 1,064 100 100 100

Less than 1 month.............................................................................. 46 4 4 6

1 to 6 months ...................................................................................... 60 6 5 7

6 months to 1 year.............................................................................. 55 5 3 9

1 to 5 years.......................................................................................... 250 23 24 23

5 to 10 years........................................................................................ 237 22 25 17

10 years or more................................................................................. 416 39 39 39

Method of pay

Total ............................................................................................... 1,060 100 100 100

By the cord, load, or other piecework basis...................................... 352 33 19 64

Hourly or weekly.................................................................................. 694 65 79 36

O ther.................................................................................................... 14 1 2 _

NOTE: Due to rounding, percentages may not add total number of responses may vary by question,

to 100. See appendix A for the scope of the survey. Dashes indicate that no data were reported.

Because incomplete questionnaires were used, the SOURCE: Survey questionnaires.

Table 4. Estimated days away from work: Injuries in the logging industry,

selected States, April-June 1982

Days away from work Number Percent

Total 1............................................................................................ 1 050 100

No days away from work ........................................ ........................... 270 26

1 to 5 days.................................................................. 234 22

6 to 10 days.................................................................................. 103 10

11 to 15 days........................................................................ 57 5

16 to 20 days................................................................................ 58 6

21 to 25 days................................................................... 27 3

26 to 30 days....................................................................................... 47 4

31 to 40 days........................................................................ 45 4

41 to 60 days..................................................................... 43 4

More than 60 days......................................................... 50 5

Lost-time cases for which days away from work were not

estimated........................................................................................... 116 11

Mean days away from work per lost-workday case 23

Median days away from work per lost-workday case 10

' Excludes 5 workers for whom data 

were not available because they retired, 

were laid off, or put on permanent 

disability.

NOTE: Due to rounding, percentages 

may not add to 100. See appendix A for

the scope of the survey. Because incomplete questionnaires were used, the total 

number of responses may vary by question.

SOURCE: Survey questionnaires.

8
Table 5. Length of hospitalization required: Injuries in the logging

industry, selected States, April-June 1982

Length of hospitalization Number Percent

1,059

849

100

80

29 3

26 2

3 nights................................................................................................ 27 3

4 nights ................................................................................................ 16 2

5 nights ................................................................................................ 26 2

6 nights................................................................................................ 11 1

13 1

8 nights ................................................................................................ 15 1

9 nights................................................................................................ 3 (’)

6 1

11 to 20 nights .................................................................................... 9 1

21 to 30 nights .................................................................................... 8 1

4 O

Hospitalized cases for which length of hospitalization was not

17 2

Mean length (nights) of hospitalization per hospitalized case......... 6

Median length (nights) of hospitalization per hospitalized case....... 4

' Less than 0.5 percent.

NOTE: Due to rounding, percentages 

may not add to 100. See appendix A for 

the scope of the survey. Because incomplete questionnaires were used, the total 

number of responses may vary by question.

SOURCE: Survey questionnaires.

Table 6. Nature of injury: Injuries in the logging industry, selected States,

April-June 1982

Nature of injury Number Percent

Total .............................................................................................. 1,086

8

100

Amputation or enucleation .................................................................. 1

Burn or scald (heat)............................................................................ 9 1

Concussion—brain, cerebral............................................................... 10 1

Contusion, crushing, bruise—intact skin surface .............................. 177 16

Cut, laceration, puncture—open wound............................................. 272 25

Dermatitis............................................................................................. 1 (’)

Dislocation........................................................................................... 15 1

Fracture ................................................................................................ 139

1

13

Heat stroke, sunstroke, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and other 

effects of environmental heat.......................................................... O

(')

1

Hernia, rupture..................................................................................... 3

Inflammation or irritation of joints, tendons, or muscles................... 7

Poisoning, systemic............................................................................. 12 1

51 5

Sprains, strains.................................................................................... 264 24

Multiple injuries.................................................................................... 46 4

Nervous system, conditions o f ........................................................... 2 (')

Heart condition (includes heart attack) .............................................. 1 0

Other injury, n.e.c................................................................................. 6 1

Nonclassifiable..................................................................................... 62 6

’ Less than 0.5 percent, 

n.e.c. = not elsewhere classified. 

NOTE: Due to rounding, percentages 

may not add to 100. See appendix A for

the scope of the survey.

SOURCE: State workers’ compensation 

reports.

9
Table 7. Part of body affected: Injuries in the logging industry, selected

States, April-June 1982

Part of body Number Percent

T otal.............................................................................................. 1,086

141

100

Head..................................................................................................... 13

Head, uns....................................................................................... 3 (’)

Brain.............................................................................................. 10 1

Ear(s)............................................................................................. 5 O

Ear(s), uns.................................................................................... 1 O

Ear(s), external........................................................................... 1 (’)

Ear(s), internal............................................................................ 3 (1)

Eye(s)............................................................................................ 66 6

Face .............................................................................................. 42 4

Face, uns..................................................................................... 3 (')

J a w ............................................................................................. 1 (’)

Mouth ......................................................................................... 26 2

Nose........................................................................................... 2 (')

Face, multiple parts.................................................................... 1 (’)

1

o

Face, n.e.c................................................................................... 9

Scalp............................................................................................. 5

Skuli............................................................................................... 2 (’)

Head, multiple............................................................................... 6 1

Head, n.e.c..................................................................................... 2 o

Neck..................................................................................................... 14 1

Upper extremities ................................................................................ 196 18

Arm(s)............................................................................................ 67 6

Arm, uns....................................................................................... 20 2

Upper arm................................................................................... 5 O

Elbow.......................................................................................... 20 2

Forearm....................................................................................... 18 2

Arm, multiple .............................................................................. 1 o

Arm, n.e.c..................................................................................... 3 0

W rist.............................................................................................. 16 1

Hand.............................................................................................. 39 4

Finger(s)......................................................................................... 69 6

Upper extremities, multiple........................................................... 5 0

Trunk.................................................................................................... 252 23

Abdomen ....................................................................................... 9 1

Back .............................................................................................. 138 13

Chest............................................................................................. 36 3

Hips ............................................................................................... 22 2

Shoulder(s).................................................................................... 39 4

Trunk, multiple .............................................................................. 8 1

Lower extremities ................................................................................ 365 34

Leg(s)............................................................................................ 241 22

Leg, uns....................................................................................... 43 4

Thigh........................................................................................... 27 2

Knee ........................................................................................... 118 11

Lower le g .................................................................................... 45 4

Leg, multiple............................................................................... 6 1

Leg, n.e.c..................................................................................... 2 (’)

Ankle ............................................................................................. 54 5

F oot............................................................................................... 48 4

Toe(s)............................................................................................ 7 1

Lower extremities, multiple........................................................... 15 1

Multiple parts....................................................................................... 93 9

Body system........................................................................................ 12 1

Body system, uns........................................................................... 10 1

Circulatory system........................................................................ 1 (’)

Nervous system............................................................................ 1 (’)

Body parts, n.e.c................................................................................... 1 (’)

Nonclassifiable..................................................................................... 12 1

1 Less than 0.5 percent. may not add to 100. See appendix A for

uns. = unspecified. the scope of the survey,

n.e.c. = not elsewhere classified. SOURCE: State workers’ compensation

NOTE: Due to rounding, percentages reports.

10
Table 8. Activity at time of accident: Injuries in the logging industry, selected States by

region, April-June 1982

Activity

All States Western

States

Nonwestern

States

Number Percent Percent

Activity of injured worker

Total .............................................................................................. 1,084 100 100 100

Brushing (clearing brush).................................................................... 25 2 2 3

Bucking ................................................................................................ 134 12 14 8

Felling................................................................................................... 253 23 19 33

165 15

O

11 24

Bunching.............................................................................................. 3 1

Cable skidding (high-lead, slack-line, etc.)......................................... 40 4 5 -

Chasing................................................................................................ 49 5 7 _

Choker setting...................................................................................... 133 12 16 4

Hooking up a turn................................................................................ 23 2 2 2

Rigging................................................................................................. 39 4 5 0

Tractor skidding................................................................................... 52 5 3 9

Hauling logs to m ill.............................................................................. 15 1 1 2

Loading/unloading logs...................................................................... 51 5 4 5

Constructing or maintaining roads or skid roads.............................. 11 1 1 1

Repairing or servicing equipment....................................................... 43 4 4 4

Other logging activity.......................................................................... 48 4 5 3

How often worker normally performed this activity

Total .............................................................................................. 1,069 100 100 100

First time worker did this type of work............................................... 24 2 3 1

Daily or almost every day.................................................................... 921 86 85 89

Several times a month........................................................................ 75 7 8 4

About once a month........................................................................... 20 2 2 2

Seldom—less than once a month...................................................... 29 3 3 3

Protective equipment worn or used at time of accident

Total2............................................................................................ 1,057 O <*> (*)

Boots with calked or corked soles..................................................... 659 62 81 22

Dust mask ........................................................................................... 16 2 2 O

Earplugs or other type of hearing protection..................................... 264 25 32 9

Glasses................................................................................................ 144 14 17 7

Gloves.................................................................................................. 788 75 83 57

Goggles................................................................................................ 35 3 4 2

Hard ha t............................................................................................... 916 87 91 77

Leg protection (chaps or kneepads).................................................. 303 29 24 39

Seat b e lt.............................................................................................. 6 1 1 (’)

Steel toes in boots.............................................................................. 295 28 9 69

O ther.................................................................................................... 19 2 2 1

Not wearing or using protective equipment....................................... 38 4 2 7

Workers injured while operating mobile equipment:

To worker’s knowledge, safety features vehicle or equipment 

had

Total2............................................................................................ 51 0 O O

Cage or cover to protect against falling objects............................... 30 59 55 64

Rollover protection.............................................................................. 27 53 48 59

Seat b e lt.............................................................................................. 32 63 69 55

O ther.................................................................................................... 4 8 10 5

Not aware of any safety equipment................................................... 5 10 10 9

' Less than 0.5 percent.

2 Because more than one response is possible, the 

sum of the responses and percentages are calculated 

by dividing each response by the total number of persons who answered the question.

NOTE: Due to rounding, percentages may not add

to 100. See appendix A for the scope of the survey. 

Because incomplete questionnaires were used, the 

total number of responses may vary by question. 

Dashes indicate that no data were reported.

SOURCE: Survey questionnaires.

11
Table 9. Description of worksite: Injuries in the logging industry, selected States by region,

April-June 1982

Description of worksite

All States Western

States

Nonwestern

States

Number Percent Percent

Location at time of accident

Total .............................................................................................. 1,073 100 100 100

Cutting site .......................................................................................... 570 53 47 66

Landing ................................................................................................ 219 20 24 14

Skid trail or between cutting site and landing................................... 188 18 20 12

Employer-built road............................................................................. 34 3 3 3

County, State, or interstate road........................................................ 17 2 1 2

O ther.................................................................................................... 45 4 5 3

Terrain where accident occurred

Total .............................................................................................. 1,070 100 100 100

Flat ground.......................................................................................... 476 44 36 62

Medium slope...................................................................................... 388 36 38 32

Steep slope......................................................................................... 206 19 25 7

Ground cover where accident occurred

Total .............................................................................................. 1,057 100 100 100

Little or no brush................................................................................. 369 35 35 35

Moderate brush.................................................................................... 386 37 38 33

Heavy brush 1....................................................................................... 273 26 26 25

Swampy, marshy, boggy..................................................................... 29 3 1 7

Use of wood being logged at time of accident

Total .............................................................................................. 1,007 100 100 100

Pulpwood............................................................................................. 357 35 20 68

O ther.................................................................................................... 478 47 60 22

Don’t know .......................................................................................... 172 17 21 10

Type of logging being done at worksite

Total .............................................................................................. 1,020 100 100 100

Clearcut................................................................................................ 630 62 68 48

Selective cut—partial cut (selected trees)......................................... 273 27 21 40

Salvage logging ................................................................................... 80 8 8 6

Don’t know .......................................................................................... 37 4 3 6

1 Includes two cases identified only as heavy snow. 

NOTE: Due to rounding, percentages may not add 

to 100. See appendix A for the scope of the survey.

Because incomplete questionnaires were used, the 

total number of responses may vary by question. 

SOURCE: Survey questionnaires.

12
Table 10. Description of accident: Injuries in the logging industry, selected States by region,

April-June 1982

Description of accident

All States Western

States

Nonwestern

States

Number Percent Percent

Total ............................................................................................... 1,086 100 100 100

Injured by a chainsaw, excluding overexertion.................................. 222 20 17 28

Struck against............................................................................... 12 1 1 1

Struck b y........................................................................................ 182 17 13 24

Fall from elevation......................................................................... 7 1 1 -

Fall on same level......................................................................... 21 2 2 3

Chip, pine needle, or other object went into eye(s) .......................... 55 5 5 5

Hit or crushed by limb, tree, or lo g ..................................................... 259 24 20 32

Hit by cable, hook, chain, or choker b e ll........................................... 60 6 7 2

Strained while lifting, using, or moving tools, equipment, or logs .... 85 8 9 4

Slipped, tripped, or fell 1...................................................................... 258 24 28 14

Fall from elevation......................................................................... 98 9 11 4

Fall on same level......................................................................... 96 9 10 6

Bodily reaction or motion ............................................................. 64 6 7 5

Mobile equipment accident................................................................. 33 3 3 3

O ther.................................................................................................... 114 10 10 11

1 Excludes 28 cases where the worker fell onto a 

chainsaw; these cases are included in chainsaw 

injuries.

NOTE; Due to rounding, percentages may not add 

to 100. See appendix A for the scope of the survey.

Because incomplete questionnaires were used, the 

total number of responses may vary by question. 

Dashes indicate that no data were reported 

SOURCE: Survey questionnaires and State 

workers’ compensation reports.

13
Table 11. Selected description of accident by source of injury: Injuries in the logging

industry, selected States by region, April-June 1982

Description of accident by source of injury

All States Western

States

Nonwestern

States

Number Percent Percent

Hit or crushed by limb, tree, or log

Total ............................................................................................... 259 100 100 100

Hit or crushed by:

Falling wood............................................................................ ..... 127 49 36 66

Rolling log(s) ................................................................................. 37 14 21 5

Logs rigged for yarding.................................................................

Wood, n.e.c., uns. 1.......................................................................

30 12 16 5

65 25 27 23

Strained while lifting, using, or moving tools, equipment, or

logs

Total ............................................................................................... 85 100 100 100

Strained while lifting, using, or moving:

Brush or shrubs............................................................................. 1 1 1 -

Ground wood ................................................................................ 3 4 3 7

Rigged log(s) on highline, skyline, or other

overhead yarding system ........................................................... 1 1 1 -

Stacked logs ................................................................................. 1 1 1 -

Standing timber............................................................................. 5 6 - 33

Wood, n.e.c., uns............................................................................ 5 6 4 13

Cable, chain, rope, choker, etc. used in rigging,

skidding, or yarding operations.................................................. 30 35 41 7

Log truck........................................................................................ 4 5 6 -

Chainsaw ....................................................................................... 24 28 29 27

Nonpowered handtool................................................................... 5 6 7 -

Other or nonclassifiable................................................................ 6 7 6 13

Mobile equipment accident

Total ............................................................................................... 33 100 100 100

Source of injury:

Skidder........................................................................................... 9 27 29 25

Log truck........................................................................................ 17 52 48 58

Mobile equipment, n.e.c................................................................. 2 6 5 8

Ground surface............................................................................. 1 3 5 -

Other or nonclassifiable................................................................ 4 12 14 8

1 Includes flying or catapulted wood and 

springpoles.

n.e.c. = not elsewhere classified, 

uns. = unspecified.

NOTE: Due to rounding, percentages may not add 

to 100. See appendix A for the scope of the survey.

Because incomplete questionnaires were used, the 

total number of responses may vary by question. 

Dashes indicate that no data were reported.

SOURCE: Survey questionnaires and State 

workers’ compensation reports.

14
Table 12. Falls from elevations or to the same level: Injuries in the logging industry, selected

States by region, April-June 1982

Falls

All States Western

States

Nonwestern

States

Number Percent Percent

Total ' ............................................................................................. 222 100 100 100

Falls from elevations............................................................................ 105 47 51 33

Falls to the same level........................................................................ 117 53 49 67

Falls from elevations

Total ............................................................................................... 105 100 100 100

Surface fell from:

Ground level.................................................................................. 9 9 5 29

Ground wood, rolling or moving................................................... 16 15 16 7

Ground wood, stationary, including stacked logs ....................... 46 44 49 7

Standing timber............................................................................. 2 2 2 -

Skidder........................................................................................... 8 8 7 14

Truck .............................................................................................. 14 13 11 29

Mobile equipment, n.e.c., uns........................................................ 4 4 3 7

Yarder ............................................................................................ 3 3 3 -

O ther.............................................................................................. 2 2 2 -

Unknown ........................................................................................ 1 1 “ 7

Falls to the same level

Total ............................................................................................... 117 100 100 100

Fell to:

Ground surface or tools at ground level..................................... 48 41 43 34

Ground wood, stationary, including stacked logs ....................... 29 25 26 21

Skidder........................................................................................... 2 2 - 7

Truck .............................................................................................. 1 1 1 -

Yarder ............................................................................................ 2 2 2 -

Other .............................................................................................. 8 7 8 3

Unknown........................................................................................ 27 23 19 34

1 Includes cases where worker fell onto chainsaw, 

n.e.c. = not elsewhere classified, 

uns. = unspecified.

NOTE: Due to rounding, percentages may not add 

to 100. See appendix A for the scope of the survey.

Because incomplete questionnaires were used, the 

total number of responses may vary by question. 

Dashes indicate that no data were reported.

SOURCE: Survey questionnaires and State 

workers’ compensation reports.

15
Table 13. Injuries involving chainsaws: Injuries in the logging industry, selected States by

region, April-June 1982

—

•

Chainsaw injuries

All States Western

States

Nonwestern

States

Number Percent Percent

Reason worker was injured by chainsaw

Total ’ 2 .......................................................................................... 220 0 0 (’)

Chainsaw kicked back......................................................................... 140 64 56 74

Using wrong size saw or length bar for cut being made.................. 3 1 2

Fell on saw........................................................................................... 28 13 15 9

Reached across saw .......................................................................... - - - -

Hand slipped into chain of saw.......................................................... 14 6 6 6

Cutting method was wrong ................................................................. 7 3 3 3

Saw kept running after it was turned off (coasting) .......................... 2 1 - 2

Chain on saw broke............................................................................ 7 3 5 1

Saw was in bad condition or didn’t work right.................................. 1 0 - 1

Didn’t have tight grip on saw.............................................................. 15 7 7 6

O ther.................................................................................................... 39 18 22 12

Use of saw at time of accident

Total ............................................................................................... 220 100 100 100

Getting ready to make a c u t............................................................... 8 4 6 1

Had just finished c u t........................................................................... 25 11 10 13

Cutting a tree, limb, etc........................................................................ 169 77 73 82

Other .................................................................................................... 18 8 11 4

Size of chainsaw engine

Total ............................................................................................... 203 100 100 100

Smaller than 3.0 cubic inches (less than 49 ccs).............................. 8 4 4 4

3.0 to 4.0 cubic inches (49 to 65 ccs) ............................................... 39 19 11 32

4.0 to 5.0 cubic inches (65 to 82 ccs) ............................................... 58 29 29 28

5.0 cubic inches or larger (more than 82 ccs).................................. 61 30 47 5

Don’t know ........................................................................................... 37 18 9 32

To workers’ knowledge, safety features chainsaw had

Total 1............................................................................................. 197 0 (’) (')

Bar tip/nose guard.............................................................................. 26 13 4 26

Chain brake.......................................................................................... 66 34 17 57

Deadman switch.................................................................................. 38 19 19 20

Low kickback chain............................................................................. 78 40 37 44

Low kickback guide bar...................................................................... 33 17 17 17

Other kickback protection ................................................................... 9 5 7 1

Other .................................................................................................... 5 3 3 2

None..................................................................................................... 53 27 35 16

1 Because more than one response is possible, the 

sum of the responses and percentages may not equal 

the total. Percentages are calculated by dividing each 

response by the total number of persons who 

answered the question.

2 Excludes overexertion cases where chainsaw was 

source of injury.

3 Less than 0.5 percent.

NOTE: Due to rounding, percentages may not add 

to 100. See appendix A for the scope of the survey. 

Because incomplete questionnaires were used, the 

total number of responses may vary by question. 

Dashes indicate that no data were reported.

SOURCE: Survey questionnaires.

16
Table 14. Safety training: Injuries in the logging industry, selected States by region,

April-June 1982

Worker safety training

All States Western

States

Nonwestern

States

Number Percent Percent

Source of safety training in logging

Total 1............................................................................................ 1,046 0 0 0

Never received any safety training 2................................................... 392 37 31 51

Supervisor or employer....................................................................... 419 40 45 29

Co-worker (other than supervisor) ..................................................... 300 29 37 11

Relative................................................................................................ 200 19 21 16

O ther.................................................................................................... 72 7 6 9

1 Because more than one response is possible, the 

sum of the responses and percentages are calculated 

by dividing each response by the total number of persons who answered the question.

2 Includes workers who said they learned safety on 

their own.

NOTE: Due to rounding, percentages may not add 

to 100. See appendix A for the scope of the survey. 

Because incomplete questionnaires were used, the 

total number of responses may vary by question. 

SOURCE: Survey questionnaires.

Table 15. Conditions or factors contributing to accident: Injuries in the logging industry,

selected States by region, April-June 1982

Conditions or factors worker felt contributed to accident

All States Western

States

Nonwestern

States

Number Percent Percent

Natural conditions at the worksite

Total 1...................................................................a....................... 934 0 0 (’)

Twist, rot, knots, lean, or other defects in tree.................................. 63 7 6 9

Snag or deadwood in tree .................................................................. 75 8 6 12

Springpole or wood under tension..................................................... 105 11 11 12

Hidden wood on ground (wood hidden by ground cover, etc.) ........ 61 7 6 7

Weather conditions at time of accident (raining, sleeting, windy,

etc.) ................................................................................................... 56 6 6 5

Slippery conditions (mud, standing water, etc.) ................................ 80 9 8 9

Heavy brush or ground cover............................................................. 173 19 19 18

Steep worksite..................................................................................... 109 12 16 3

Other natural conditions...................................................................... 71 8 9 4

No natural conditions contributed to accident................................... 335 36 37 33

Other contributing factors

Total1............................................................................................. 839 (’) (') (’)

Co-worker’s activity............................................................................. 54 6 7 5

Working too fa s t.................................................................................. 186 22 22 23

Too noisy............................................................................................. 13 2 1 4

Working when tired or fatigued .......................................................... 64 8 9 5

Working when under stress................................................................ 39 5 5 5

Lifting, pushing, or moving an object that was too heavy or bulky ... 45 5 5 5

Misjudged time or distance needed to avoid injury........................... 118 14 14 15

Not paying full attention to work........................................................ 65 8 8 8

Being unaware of hazards such as snags, springpoles, e tc ............ 83 10 8 14

Cutting method was wrong ................................................................. 35 4 3 6

O ther.................................................................................................... 53 6 7 5

No other factors contributed to injury................................................. 282 34 35 31

' Because more than one response is possible, the 

sum of the responses and percentages are calculated 

by dividing each response by the total number of persons who answered the question.

NOTE: Due to rounding, percentages may not add

to 100. See appendix A for the scope of the survey. 

Because incomplete questionnaires were used, the 

total number of responses may vary by question. 

SOURCE: Survey questionnaires.

17
Table 16. Hours worked and rest periods prior to accident: Injuries in the logging industry,

selected States by region, April-June 1982

Hours worked and rest periods

All States Western

States

Nonwestern

States

Number Percent Percent

Length of time worked prior to accident

Total .............................................................................................. 1,069 100 100 100

Less than 1 hour................................................................................. 78 7 6 9

1 to 2 hours ......................................................................................... 157 15 15 15

2 to 4 hours ........................................................................................ 363 34 36 29

4 to 6 hours ......................................................................................... 270 25 25 26

6 to 8 hours ......................................................................................... 136 13 12 15

8 hours or more................................................................................... 51 5 5 5

Don’t remember................................................................................... 14 1 1 2

Length of time worked, prior to accident, without a break for

rest or lunch

Total .............................................................................................. 1,055 100 100 100

Less than 1 hour................................................................................. 210 20 18 24

1 to 2 hours ......................................................................................... 352 33 32 35

2 to 4 hours ......................................................................................... 360 34 36 29

4 hours or more................................................................................... 98 9 10 7

Don’t remember................................................................................... 35 3 3 4

NOTE: Due to rounding, percentages may not add total number of responses may vary by question, 

to 100. See appendix A for the scope of the survey. SOURCE: Survey questionnaires.

Because incomplete questionnaires were used, the

18
Table 17. Source of injury: Injuries in the logging industry, selected States by region,

April-June 1982

Source of injury

All States Western

States

Nonwestern

States

Number Percent Percent

Total .............................................................................................. 1,086 100 100 100

Timber or wood:

Brush or shrubs............................................................................ 6 1 1 O

Choked, but not “ hooked up” or otherwise rigged

for skidding or yarding ............................................................... 17 2 2 1

Falling............................................................................................ 129 12 7 21

Ground (stationary, unrigged) ...................................................... 52 5 5 3

Rolling........................................................................................... 44 4 5 2

Rigged on highline, skyline, or other overhead

yarding system........................................................................... 6 1 1 O

Rigged for ground skidding or yarding ........................................ 23 2 2 1

Stacked......................................................................................... 2 (’) O -

Standing........................................................................................ 16 1 1 2

Wood or timber, n.e.c., uns.1 2 ...................................................... 80 7 7 9

Cable, chain, rope, choker, or choker bell used in:

Tractor skidding............................................................................ 5 0 1 -

Other yarding operations.............................................................. 28 3 3 1

Unspecified skidding or yarding................................................... 24 2 3 1

Rigging.......................................................................................... 38 3 5 (’)

Operations other than skidding or yarding.................................. 9 1 1 1

Equipment or vehicle:

Log truck ....................................................................................... 28 3 2 3

Skidder.......................................................................................... 26 2 2 3

Mobile equipment, n.e.c................................................................. 6 1 1 1

Yarder, stationary ......................................................................... 6 1 1 (’)

Tool:

Chainsaw....................................................................................... 246 23 20 29

Nonpowered handtools................................................................. 13 1 2 (’)

Other

Bodily motion................................................................................ 85 8 8 7

Ground surface............................................................................. 69 6 8 2

Surface, n.e.c., uns........................................................................ 34 3 4 2

Wood chips, sawdust, metal chips, pine needles, splinters....... 42 4 5 2

Other, including insect and snake bites...................................... 43 4 3 5

Nonclassifiable................................................................................... 9 1 1 1

1 Less than 0.5 percent.

2 Includes wood propelled with force, such as a 

limb being struck by a skidder, flying back and hitting 

the driver, or wood released from tension, such as a 

springpole.

n.e.c. = not elsewhere classified.

uns. = unspecified.

NOTE: Due to rounding, percentages may not add 

to 100. See appendix A for the scope of the survey. 

Because incomplete questionnaires were used, the 

total number of responses may vary by question. 

Dashes indicate that no data were reported.

SOURCE: Survey questionnaire and State workers’ 

compensation reports.

Table 18. Sex of worker: Injuries in the logging industry, selected States,

April-June 1982

Sex Number Percent

Total .............................................................................................. 1,086

1,079

7

100

Men ...................................................................................................... 99

Women................................................................................................. 1

NOTE: See appendix A for the scope SOURCE: State workers’ compensation

of the survey. reports.

19
Appendix A. Survey

Explanatory Note

The survey was designed to gather information on injuries to workers in the logging industry (Standard Industrial Classification 241). Included were all injuries 

incurred while performing logging activities at the logging site or while transporting logs with the exception of 

injuries to workers in helicopters or resulting from 

assaults. Motor vehicle accidents were included if they 

took place at the worksite; while hauling logs to the 

mill; returning from the mill; or transporting tools, 

equipment, or workers to or from the logging site in 

company-owned vehicles. Excluded were injuries 

resulting in fatalities or those in which more than 120 

days had elapsed between the time of the injury and the 

beginning of the survey.

The survey covered the 12 States listed in appendix B. 

To identify cases within the scope of the survey, staff of 

the State agencies reviewed employers’ reports of injuries required by State workers’ compensation laws 

and mailed questionnaires to injured workers selected 

for study. Cooperation was requested on a voluntary 

basis. During the survey period, April through June 

1982, 1,086 survey questionnaires were returned and 

found to be within the scope of the survey, resulting in a 

60-percent response rate.

Although the data were aggregated for all participating States, it should be noted that workers’ compensation cases selected for study reflect differences in 

reporting requirements. For example, some States require reporting of workers’ compensation cases involving medical treatment regardless of lost time, while

others limit reporting to cases involving lost time ranging from 1 to 8 days.

No attempt was made to weight the data to be 

representative of all logging injuries. Although participating States provided a broad geographical mix, 

they were not selected to statistically represent the country as a whole. Moreover, collection for the survey was 

terminated when responses exceeded 750 cases.

Estimates of mean and median lost workdays and 

nights of hospitalization do not include cases in which 

workers indicated lost time or hospitalization but failed 

to provide numerical estimates of the amount of time.

All usable responses from incomplete questionnaires 

were used in the tabulations. Consequently, response 

rates among questions vary. No attempt was made to 

adjust the data for nonresponse.

Information on the employer’s industry classification 

and the worker’s age, sex, nature of injury, and part of 

body injured were classified and tabulated for all 

respondents based on information furnished by the 

employer in the workers’ compensation report. Codes 

for source of injury and occupation were developed by 

bls to capture data unique to the logging industry. 

Codes for falls, specifically the surface from which the 

worker fell and the impact surface, were based on the 

American National Standards Institute concept for 

recording accident facts (ANSI Z16.2) but expanded to 

provide additional detail.

Numerical values shown in tables were actual counts 

while percentages were rounded to the nearest whole 

number.

20
Appendix B. Participating

State Agencies

Alaska Department of Labor

Arkansas Department of Labor

California Department of Industrial Affairs

Kentucky Department of Labor

Maine Department of Labor

Montana Department of Labor and Industry

North Carolina Industrial Commission 

Oregon Workers’ Compensation Department 

Tennessee Department of Labor 

Vermont Department of Labor and Industry 

Virginia Department of Labor and Industry 

Washington Department of Labor and Industries

21
Appendix C. Survey Questionnaire

Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Department of Labor

Work Injury Report 

jnjuries in Logging

The inform ation collected on this form by the Bureau of This report is authorized by taw 29 U.S.C. 2.

Labor Statistics and the State Agencies cooperating in its Your voluntary cooperation is needed to make

statistical program w ill be held in confidence and w ill be the results o f this survey comprehensive,

used fo r statistical purposes only. accurate, and timely.

Form Approved 

O.M.B. No. 1220-0047 

Approval Expires 9/30/82

State Case Number

Date of 

Accident !

A. Which best describes where you were when the accident occurred? If a chainsaw injured you:

ICheck one.)

1. □ C u ttin g site

2. O L a n d in g

3. D S k id tr a il o r b e tw e e n c u ttin g s ite a n d le n d in g

4. O E m p lo y e r - b u ilt ro a d

5. LJ C o u n ty , S ta te o r in te rs ta te ro a d

6. □ O th e r: (Describe)_______________________________________ _

B. Which best describes the type of terrain where the accident occurred?

(Check one.)

1. CD F la t ground

2. CD M e d iu m slo p e

3. CD S te e p s lo p e

G. Indicate why. (Check all that apply.)

1. □ Cha in sa w k ic k e d back

2. □ U sin g w ro n g size saw o r le n g th b a r f o r c u t b e in g m a d e

3. CD F e ll on saw

4. CD R e ach e d across saw

5. CD H a n d s lip p e d in to c h a in o f saw

6. CD C u ttin g m e th o d was w ro n g

7. □ S aw k e p t ru n n in g a fte r it w as tu rn e d o ff (c o a s tin g )

8 CD C h a in on saw b ro k e

9. CD S aw was in bad co n d itio n or d id n 't w o rk rig h t

10. CD D id n 't have t ig h t g rip o n saw

11. □ O th e r: (D escribe)________________________________

C. Which best describes the ground cover? (Check one.)

1. CD L ittle or no brush

2. CD M o d e ra te b ru sh

3. CD H e a vy b ru sh

4 . CD S w a m p y , m a rs h y , b o g g y

H. What were you doing with the saw when injured? (Check one.)

1. CD G e ttin g re a d y to m a k e a c u t

2. CD H a d ju s t fin is h e d a c u t

3. CD C u ttin g a tre e , lim b , e tc .

4. □ O th e r: (Describe)__________________________________

D. What type of work were you doing when injured? (Check one.)

1. CD Brushing (clearing brush)

2. O Bucking

3. CD Felling

4. CD Limbing

5. CD Bunching

6. CD Cable skidding (high-lead, slack-line, etc.)

7. □ Chasing

8. D Choker setting

9. CD Hooking up a turn

10. CD Rigging

11. O Tractor skidding

12. CD Hauling tim ber to mill

13. O Loading/unloading timber

14. CD Constructing or maintaining roads or skid roads

15. CD Repairing or servicing equipment

16. CD Other logging activity: (Describe) _____________________

E. How often do you normally do this type of work? (Check one.)

1. CD First time you did this type of work

2. □ Daily or almost every day

3. CD Several times a month

4. G About once a month

5. G Seldom —less than once a month

F. Which best describes how your injury occurred? (Check one.)

1. G Injured by a chainsaw

2. G Chip, pine needle or other object w ent into eye(s)

3. G H it or crushed by limb, tree or log

4. G H it by cable, hook, chain or choker bell

5. G Strained while lifting, using or moving tools, equipment or timber

6. G Slipped, tripped or fell

7. G Had mobile equipment accident (skidder or tractor rolled over,

truck ran off road, etc.)

8. Q Other: (Describe)____________________________________

IF YOU WERE INJURED BY A CHAINSAW,

COMPLETE G, H, I AND J;

IF NOT, GOTO K.

I. How big was the chainsaw engine? The size of the engine is measured

in cubic inch displacement or cc(s). (Check one.)

1. O S m a lle r th a n 3 .0 c u b ic in ch e s (less th a n 4 9 ccs)

2. G 3 .0 to 4 .0 c u b ic inch e s (4 9 to 6 5 ccs)

3. Q 4 .0 to 5 .0 c u b ic inch e s (6 6 to 8 2 ccs)

4. G 5 .0 c u b ic inch e s o r la rg e r (m o re th a n 8 2 ccs)

5. Q D o n 't k n o w

J. To your knowledge, what safety features did the saw have?

(Check all that apply.)

1. G B a r tip /n o s e g ua rd

2. Q C h a in b ra k e

3. Q D e a d m a n s w itc h

4. Q L o w - k ic k b a c k ch a in

5 Q L o w - k ic k b a c k g u id e b a r

6. G O th e r k ic k b a c k p r o te c tio n : (D escribe)__________________________

7. Q O th e r: (Describe)________________________________________

8. Q N o t a w a re o f a n y s a fe ty fe a tu re s

CONTINUE WITH K, BELOW

K. Did ar.y natural conditions contribute to your accident? (Check

all that apply.)

1. □ T w is t, ro t, k n o ts , lean o r o th e r d e fe c ts in tre e

2. Q S nag o r d e a d w o o d in tre e

3. □ S p rin g p o le o r w o o d u n d e r te n s io n (lim b in a b in d , e tc .)

4. G H id d e n w o o d on g ro u n d (w o o d h id d e n b y g ro u n d co ver, e tc .)

5. Q W e a th e r c o n d itio n s a t tim e o f a c c id e n t (ra in in g , sle e tin g ,

w in d y , e tc .)

6. Q SI ip p e ry c o n d itio n s (m u d , s ta n d in g w a te r, e tc .)

7. Q H e a v y b ru s h o r g ro u n d co ve r

8. Q S te e p w o rk s ite

9. G O th e r n a tu ra l c o n d itio n : (Describe)________________________

10. Q N o n a tu ra l c o n d itio n s c o n trib u te d to a c c id e n t

L. Check any other factors which you feel contributed to your accident.

(Cheek all that apply.)

1. G C o -w o rk e r's a c tiv ity : (E x p la in )____________________ _________

2. Q W o rk in g to o fa s t

3. G T o o n o is y

4. Q W o rk in g w h e n tir e d o r fa tig u e d

5. Q W o rk in g w h e n u n d e r stress

6. G L iftin g , p u s h in g or m o v in g an o b je c t th a t w a s to o h ea vy

o r b u lk y

7. Q M is ju d g e d tim e o r d is ta n c e nee de d to a v o id in ju r y 

8 Q N o t p a y in g fu ll a tte n tio n to w o rk

9. G B e in g u n a w a re o f h a za rd s such as snags, sp rin g p o le s , e tc.

10. Q C u ttin g m e th o d w as w ro n g

11. G O th e r: (Describe) ________________________________________

12. Q N o o th e r fa c to rs c o n tr ib u te d to in ju r y

CONTINUE ON REVERSE SIDE

3LS 98F (May 1982)

22
M. What type of protective equipment were you wearing or using at the

time of your accident? (Check all that apply.)

1. □ B o o ts w ith c a lk e d o r c o rk e d soles

2. CD D u s t mask

3. □ E ar p lu g s o r o th e r ty p e o f h e a rin g p ro te c tio n

4 . CD Glasses

5. CD G love s

6. □ G oggles

7. CD H a rd h a t

8 . CD Leg p r o te c tio n (ch a p s o r k n e e p ad s)

9 . CD S ea t b e lt

10. CD S te e l to e s in b o o ts

11. □ O th e r: (Describe)------------------------------------------------------------------------------

12. CD N o t w e a rin g o r u sin g p ro te c tiv e e q u ip m e n t

N. If you were injured while operating mobile equipment or a truck,

to your knowledge, what safety features did it have?

(Check all that apply.)

1. CD N o t o p e ra tin g m o b ile e q u ip m e n t o r tru c k

2. CD Cage o r c o v e r t o p r o te c t a g a in st fa llin g o b je c ts

3. CD R o llo v e r p r o te c tio n

4. □ S eat b e lt

5. □ O th e r: (Describe)_______________________________________

6. CD N o t a w a re of a n y s a fe ty fe a tu re s

O. How long had you been working that day before your accident

occurred? (Check one.)

1. □ Less th a n 1 h o u r

2. □ 1 to 2 h o u rs

3. □ 2 to 4 h o u rs

4 . □ 4 to 6 h o u rs

5. 6 to 8 h o u rs

6. □ 8 h o u rs o r m o re

7. □ D o n 't re m e m b e r

P. How long had you been working without a break for rest or lunch?

(Check one.)

1. Less th a n 1 h o u r

2. 1 to 2 h o u rs

3. 2 to 4 h o u rs

4. 4 h o u rs o r m o re

5. D o n 't re m e m b e r

Q. Was the wood you were logging going to be used for pulpwood?

1. □ N o

2 . □ Yes

3. CD D o n ’ t k n o w

R. What type of logging was being done at the worksite? (Check one.)

1. CD Clearcut

2. CD Selective cut—partial cut (selected trees)

3. CD Salvage logging

4. CD D on't know

S. How long had you been working in logging when injured? (Check one.)

1. CD Less than 1 month

2. □ 1 to 6 months

3. CD 6 months to 1 year

4. □ 1 to 5 years

5. □ 5 to 10 years

6. CD 10 years or more

T. How are you paid? (Check one.)

1. CD B y th e c o rd , lo a d o r o th e r p ie c e w o rk basis: (Describe)

2. CD B y th e h o u r o r w e e k

3. □ O th e r: (Describe)-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

U. Who gave you safety training in logging? (Check all that apply.)

1. CD N e ve r re ce ive d a n y s a fe ty tra in in g

2. CD S u p e rv is o r o r e m p lo y e r

3. CD C o -w o rk e r (o th e r th a n s u p e rv is o r)

4 . CD R e la tiv e

5. □ L e a rn e d s a fe ty o n y o u r o w n

6. □ O th e r: (Describe) ----------------------------------------------------------------------

V. How many workdays did you (or do you expect to) lose due to your

injury? (N O TE: Do not count the day of injury, days on light duty

work, normal days off or holidays.)

____________________ W o rk d a y s

C h e ck h e r e _________ i f y o u d id n o t lose tim e b e y o n d th e d a y o f

in ju ry .

W. Did your injury require you to be hospitalized overnight?

1. □ N o

2. □ Yes

If yes, h o w lo n g w e re y o u (o r d o y o u e x p e c t t o b e ) in th e 

h o s p ita l?

__________________ N ig h ts

In your own words, tell how the accident happened.

How could it have been prevented?
Work Injury Reports

Reports which may be purchased from the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Technical Information Services 

(NTIS), 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, Virginia 22161:

• Survey of Ladder Accidents Resulting in Injuries

NTIS Accession No. PB83 207985 (1978)

• Survey of Welding and Cutting Accidents Resulting in Injuries

NTIS Accession No. PB83 208017 (1978)

• Survey of Scaffold Accidents Resulting in Injuries

NTIS Accession No. PB83 208009 (1978)

• Survey of Power Saw Accidents Resulting in Injuries

NTIS Accession No. PB83 207993 (1978)

Reports available from the Office of Occupational Safety and Health Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Room 

4014, 601 D Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20212, or regional offices:

• Accidents Involving Eye Injuries

Report 597 (1980)

• Accidents Involving Face Injuries

Report 604 (1980)

• Accidents Involving Head Injuries

Report 605 (1980)

• Accidents Involving Foot Injuries

Report 626 (1981)

Reports which may be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, 

Washington, D.C. 20402

• Injuries Related to Servicing Equipment

Bulletin 2115 (1981)

• Back Injuries Associated with Lifting

Bulletin 2144 (1982)

• Work-related Hand Injuries and Upper Extremity Amputations

Bulletin 2160 (1982)

• Injuries in Oil and Gas Drilling and Services

Bulletin 2179 (1983)

• Injuries Resulting From Falls From Elevations

Bulletin 2195 (1984)

• Injuries in the Logging Industry

Bulletin 2203 (1984)

* U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1984; 421-608/16315
Bureau of Labor Statistics

Regional Offices

Region I

Suite 1603

John F. Kennedy Federal Building 

Government Center 

Boston, Mass. 02203 

Phone: (617) 223-6761

Region II

Suite 3400 

1515 Broadway 

New York, N.Y. 10036 

Phone: (212) 944-3121

Region III

3535 Market Street 

P.O. Box 13309 

Philadelphia, Pa. 19101 

Phone: (215) 596-1154

Region IV

1371 Peachtree Street, N.E. 

Atlanta, Ga. 30367 

Phone: (404) 881-4418

Region V

9th Floor

Federal Office Building 

230 S. Dearborn Street 

Chicago, III. 60604 

Phone: (312) 353-1880

Region VI

Second Floor 

Griffin Square Building 

Dallas, Tex. 75202 

Phone: (214) 767-6971

Regions VII and VIII

911 Walnut Street 

Kansas City, Mo. 64106 

Phone: (816) 374-2481

Regions IX and X

450 Golden Gate Avenue 

Box 36017

San Francisco, Calif. 94102 

Phone: (415) 556-4678
U.S. Department of Labor

Bureau of Labor Statistics

Washington, D.C. 20212

Postage and Fees Paid

U.S. Department of Labor

Third Class Mail US.MAIL

■ \J

Official Business

Penalty for private use, $300 Lab-441 V.