www.cdc.gov/niosh/face

DATE: 

December 2, 2014

TIME: 

2:30 p.m. 

VICTIM:

61-year old tree feller

INDUSTRY/NAICS CODE:

Forestry/11

EMPLOYER: 

Logging

SAFETY & TRAINING:

The company did not have

a comprehensive safety 

program

SCENE: 

Forested area

LOCATION:

North Carolina

EVENT TYPE: 

Struck by

___________________________

INCIDENT HIGHLIGHTS

 

REPORT#: 2015-03 REPORT DATE: April 12, 2018 

Feller Struck by Tree Limb While Felling 

Adjacent Tree—North Carolina

________________________________________________________ 

SUMMARY

On December 2, 2014, a 61-year-old Hispanic feller was struck by a 

tree limb while felling an adjacent tree and died the next day. The 

feller dropped a pine tree that caught an adjacent poplar limb on the 

way down. The poplar limb broke off the standing tree, fell butt first, 

and struck the feller on the head.... READ THE FULL REPORT> (p. 3)

________________________________________________________ 

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS

Key contributing factors identified in this investigation include:

• Swing cutting

• Insufficient hinge wood

• Cluttered work area 

• Wind speed and direction

________________________________________________________

RECOMMENDATIONS

NIOSH investigators concluded that, to help prevent similar 

occurrences, employers should: 

• Develop, implement, and enforce a tree harvesting fall plan.

• Ensure that tree fellers use proper directional felling techniques 

that are based on the tree harvesting fall plan.

• Develop procedures and train fellers on tree assessment, 

opening the felling face, and identifying, creating, and 

maintaining clear retreat paths.... LEARN MORE> (p. 8)
Page 2

NIOSH • 304-285-5916

1095 Willowdale Road

Morgantown, West Virginia 

26505

Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Program

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), an institute within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

(CDC), is the federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related 

injury and illness. In 1982, NIOSH initiated the Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Program. FACE examines the

circumstances of targeted causes of traumatic occupational so that safety professionals, researchers, employers, trainers, and workers 

can learn from these incidents. The primary goal of these investigations is for NIOSH to make recommendations to prevent similar

occurrences. These NIOSH investigations are intended to reduce or prevent occupational deaths and are completely separate from the 

rule making, enforcement and inspection activities of any other federal or state agency. Under the FACE program, NIOSH investigators 

interview persons with knowledge of the incident and review available records to develop a description of the conditions and 

circumstances leading to the deaths in order to provide a context for the agency’s recommendations. The NIOSH summary of these 

conditions and circumstances in its reports is not intended as a legal statement of facts. This summary, as well as the conclusions and 

recommendations made by NIOSH, should not be used for the purpose of litigation or the adjudication of any claim. For further 

information, visit the program website at www.cdc.gov/niosh/face/ or call toll free at 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636).
REPORT#: 2015-03 Page 3

SUMMARY

On December 2, 2014, a 61-year-old Hispanic feller was struck by a tree limb while felling an adjacent tree and died the 

next day. The feller dropped a pine tree that caught an adjacent poplar limb on the way down. The poplar limb broke off 

the standing tree, fell butt first, and struck the feller on the head. Two of the three coworkers saw the incident happen. 

A contracted mechanic working on the skidder called 911. The emergency crews arrived 20 to 30 minutes later and 

transported the conscious feller to the hospital where he died. 

INTRODUCTION

On Tuesday, December 2, 2014, a 61-year-old Hispanic feller was struck by a tree limb and died the next day as a result 

of his injuries. On December 4, 2014, the medical examiner notified North Caronia Department of Labor (NCDOL) of the 

incident. On September 15, 2015, a health scientist from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 

(NIOSH), Division of Safety Research, Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation program conducted an investigation of 

the fatality and reviewed circumstances of the incident with the investigating NCDOL safety compliance officer. 

Photographs of the incident site and statements taken by the NCDOL safety compliance officer were reviewed. In 

addition, the medical examiner report was reviewed. 

EMPLOYERS

The company employed 20 people and has been in business since 1999. The company specializes in logging, tree 

harvesting, and tree removal. The company works throughout the state of North Carolina. The company was 

subcontracted to harvest the timber on this property. 

WRITTEN SAFETY PROGRAMS and TRAINING

The owner of the company has attended the ProLogger training program. The North Carolina Forestry Association 

(NCFA) ProLogger program promotes safety, business, and environmental awareness and requires annual refresher 

training [NCFAa n.d.] The company provided employee training but did not have a written safety and health program. 

Training was presented by the crew leader and was typically held during lunch on Fridays every couple of weeks, but no 

records were maintained. The employee training covered topics including use of hard hats, fire extinguishers, overhead 

hazards, and general jobsite safety. Training was provided orally in English and translated into Spanish by the crew 

leader. 

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Based on the OSHA report, the employer provided safety equipment including work gloves, hard hats, logging helmet 

with integrated face shield and ear muffs, and logging chaps, but some of the provided equipment was not in good 

condition. The chaps worn by the feller were torn and previously cut and the gloves were worn through in the finger 

areas. 

WORKER INFORMATION

The Hispanic male feller was 61 and had been working for this employer for 7 years. The feller was from Mexico. At the 

time of the incident, he was wearing a logging helmet with an integral face shield and ear muffs, logging chaps, felt work 

gloves, fleece-lined jacket, and cotton-lined nylon hooded sweat shirt. The feller did not have logging boots or steel toe 

boots, only leather boots. 
REPORT#: 2015-03 Page 4

PERSONNEL and EQUIPMENT

Four employees were on site: a skidder operator, a feller, a limber, and a crew leader. The crew leader was also a loader 

operator and had been working in the logging industry for 27 years. A contracted mechanic was also on-site repairing 

the skidder. The feller and the limber both spoke Spanish. The feller spoke English, but the limber did not understand 

much English. Work hours were 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. On Fridays there was time set aside at lunch 

for a safety talk. The equipment on site included a skidder and loader.

WEATHER

At the time of the incident it was 39 degrees F, wind speed was 8.1 miles per hour (mph) from the north, and the skies 

were overcast [Weather underground]. Wind direction and speed may have been a contributing factor because the trees 

were being felled toward the west and the pine tree that caught the limb of an adjacent poplar fell to the southwest.

Diagram 1. Incident scene.
REPORT#: 2015-03 Page 5

INCIDENT SCENE

The property was a 15-acre, mainly level lot of land about 20 minutes outside of the town. The lot was comprised of 

mixed hardwoods, and was being harvested for pallet lumber (see Diagram 1). The work crew had been on site for 2 

weeks and had approximately 2 days left on the job. Most of the cutting had been completed. The crew typically used 

mechanical felling (80%), but they used manual felling techniques on this tract because it was small, and had a stream 

and ecological impact had to be minimal in the area. The goal was to remove all marketable logs from the tract.

INVESTIGATION

The crew arrived at the site around 7 a.m. and were planning to work until 4 p.m. The owner had been on site at 10:30 

a.m. on the day of the incident, but left before the incident occurred. The owner had observed that the feller was cutting 

through the hinge wood (see Photo 1). All the trees were generally felled toward the west, because it was easier to 

bundle the logs for the logging deck, which was located to the east. The trees were intended to fall 45 degrees from the 

cut. The work area around the feller was cluttered with brush from previously felled trees (see Photo 2).

At around 2:30 p.m., the feller began cutting a pine tree on the southwest corner of the lot. The feller had been felling 

trees toward the west. However, the pine tree fell toward the southwest. A poplar tree was located 22 feet southwest of 

the pine tree. The pine tree caught and snapped a poplar limb that fell 60 feet. The limb fell directly down, butt first, and 

struck the feller on the head. The limb was 30 feet long, 5 inches in diameter, and weighed approximately 300 pounds. 

The escape path lined up with the poplar limb (see Diagram 2). The incident occurred 150 yards from the logging deck, 

which was adjacent to the main road. The crew lead had a view from the logging deck to the incident scene saw the 

Photo 1. Stumps show lack of remaining hinge wood, indicative of the swing cutting technique. (Photo 

courtesy of NCDOL)

West
REPORT#: 2015-03 Page 6

incident. At the time of the incident, the skidder operator was at the logging deck with the contracted mechanic because 

the skidder was broken. The mechanic was working on the skidder when the incident occurred and he called 911. The 

response from 911 took 20 to 30 minutes. The feller was transported to the hospital. The feller was awake and 

responsive when the stretcher arrived. However, he died the next day at the hospital.

CAUSE OF DEATH 

The medical examiner listed the cause of death as blunt force trauma, concussive injuries, and fractures.

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS 

Occupational injuries and fatalities are often the result of one or more contributing factors or key events in a larger 

sequence of events that ultimately result in the injury or fatality. NIOSH investigators identified the following 

unrecognized hazards as key contributing factors in this incident:

• Swing cutting

• Insufficient hinge wood

• Cluttered work area

• Wind speed and direction

Photo 2. Feller’s worker area. (Photo courtesy of NCDOL)
REPORT#: 2015-03 Page 7

Diagram 2. Incident location, tree felling direction, and poplar limb proximity.
REPORT#: 2015-03 Page 8

RECOMMENDATIONS/DISCUSSION

Recommendation #1: Employers should develop, implement, and enforce a tree harvesting fall plan. 

Discussion: Employers should develop, implement, and enforce a tree harvesting plan before work begins on a jobsite or 

cut block. At the time of the incident, the employer did not have a harvesting plan in place. Supervisors should develop a 

tree harvesting fall plan to address the hazards associated with a specific logging site, and communicate the plan to 

fellers and other affected workers [BCFSC 2012]. As part of the harvesting plan for a site, there should also be a faller 

safety plan, which takes into account the hazards discussed below, and includes these five components: assessing the 

area; assessing the tree; establishing a safe work area; appropriate felling techniques for the site conditions; and getting 

in the clear [OR-FACE 2007].

OSHA and the Forestry Safety Council recommend employers to develop a tree harvesting fall plan, which should 

consider the following hazards and address [FSC 2012; OSHAd n.d.]: 

• Communication, first aid, and accountability

o Adequate separation of operations while maintaining visual or audible contact, so that each employee performing 

a logging operation is positioned and located within visual or audible contact with another employee 

o Develop and maintain procedures and methods for checking in with employees at regular intervals, so that 

assistance can be rendered if necessary

o Each employee must be accounted for at the end of each work shift.

o Each employee should be trained on first aid. 

• Terrain and other related hazards

o General environmental and working conditions 

o Establishing access and egress trails

o Overhead hazards including electric lines 

o “Danger trees” including stubs, spring poles, wind blown trees, and widow makers 

o Felling boundaries and site map 

• Weather

o Assess and limit hazards associated with electrical storms, strong winds that may affect the fall of a tree, heavy 

rain or snow, extreme cold, dense fog, fires, mudslides, and darkness. 

• Harvesting methods

o Make sure that trees are felled in a manner that does not create a hazard to employees (i.e., work areas must be 

assigned so that trees cannot fall into an adjacent occupied work area). 

o To limit the hazards associated with the rolling or sliding of logs or trees, felling must be done uphill from or on 

the same level as previously felled trees. 

o Ensure safe opening of the felling face

• Maintain minimum distance of 2 tree lengths between fallers

o Employees must be positioned and the duties of each employee must be organized such that the actions of one 

employee will not create a hazard for any other employee. 

o Generally, employees must not approach a feller or mechanical felling operation any closer than two tree lengths 

of the trees being felled, until the feller or felling machine operator has acknowledged that it is safe to do so. 

• Crew transportation to and from job sites

• Problem areas and special procedures.
REPORT#: 2015-03 Page 9

Employers should train fellers on the proper precautions when removing "danger trees" from the felling area. Each 

danger tree must be felled or removed using mechanical or other techniques to minimize employee exposure before 

beginning work around a danger tree. Before felling or removing a danger tree, remove loose bark and damage or make 

sure it can be held in place. If the danger tree cannot be felled or removed, it must be marked and no work shall be 

allowed within 2 tree lengths of it, unless the employer demonstrates that a shorter distance will not create a hazard for 

an employee. When cutting a spring pole or other trees under stress, no employee other than the feller is permitted to 

be within 2 tree lengths of the tree when the stress is released. [OSHAd n.d.]

At the time of the incident the wind was blowing from the North, which may have affected the direction the tree fell. 

Although the tree that was struck during the incident was not considered a “danger tree”, without a tree harvesting plan 

in place, precautions such as open felling face, felling method, or weather considerations, were not implemented to 

prevent the felled tree from striking near-by or adjacent trees. 

Recommendation #2: Employers should ensure that tree fellers use proper directional felling techniques that 

are based on the tree harvesting fall plan.

Discussion: Employers should ensure that tree fellers use proper directional felling techniques that are based on the tree 

felling assessment. Directional felling is a manual technique used to help ensure that a tree falls in the chosen direction 

(see Diagram 3). Directional felling uses a directional cut, notch, or wedge-shaped piece and a felling cut on the opposite 

side (see Photo 3 and Diagram 4). The directional cut should be made into the tree trunk no more than 15% to 20% of 

the diameter at breast height (DBH). The hinge wood keeps the tree under control as it falls (a good hinge will help the 

tree fall perpendicular to the front face of the hinge). The hinge wood should have uniform thickness, and its length 

should be 80% of the tree DBH, and the width should be 10% of tree DBH [Demrow 2011; Husqvarna n.d.]. Never cut the 

hinge wood all the way through; maintain the proper thickness of hinge wood. When performed correctly, directional 

felling is one of the safest manual felling methods for getting trees on the ground. CFR 1910.266h(2)(v) requires that a 

directional undercut be made, and 1910.266(h)(2)(vi) requires that a back cut be made, leaving sufficient hinge wood to 

hold the tree to the stump during most of its fall, so that the hinge can guide the tree's fall in the intended direction 

[OSHA 2014].

Diagram 3. Standard directional cuts. [FISTA n.d.]
REPORT#: 2015-03 Page 10

The following should be considered prior to felling [OSHAb n.d.]:

• Identify any hazards that are present in the area where the logger will be working 

• Determine the felling direction and how to handle forward lean, back lean, and/or side lean 

• Provide a retreat path so the logger can reach safety while the tree is falling 

• Determine the proper hinge size to safely guide the tree in its fall 

• Use proper felling methods that allow the logger to safely fell the tree.

Based on the information gathered in the investigation, it is presumed the feller intended to fell the pine tree toward 

the west at 262 degrees; however, it fell southwest at 230 degrees (Diagram 2). Because the poplar tree was only 22 

feet from the pine tree and to the southwest at 142 degrees, the pine tree caught the branch of the poplar tree. The 

felling technique being used during this incident did not leave adequate hinge wood to utilize the directional felling

technique. The felling technique being used was an international Dutchman (swing cutting) and the feller had no control 

of which direction the tree fell (see Photo 4). This method allows the tree to swing around the axis of the tree stump. If a 

sufficient amount of hinge wood had been maintained, it may have helped ensure the tree fell in the intended direction 

and not caught the limb on the adjacent tree. The employer has since implemented steps to inspect stumps for 

sufficient hinge wood. 

Recommendation #3: Employers should develop procedures and train fellers on tree assessment, opening 

the felling face, and identifying, creating, and maintaining clear retreat paths 

Employers should conduct a comprehensive site assessment, develop procedures, and train fellers on tree assessment 

and felling preparation. Fellers should be trained on how to: 

• Assess trees from the crown to the base, first from a distance, and then when approaching and walking around 

each tree if possible. 

• Look for hazards including overhead (e.g., power lines, hung-up trees), on the ground (e.g., stumps, debris, steep 

slope), tree defects (e.g., splits), and other worksite hazards (e.g., road/harvesting crews).

• Formulate a plan on how to fall the tree safely by avoiding the identified hazards. 

Diagram 4. A. Correct hinge length - 80% of 

D.B.H. B. Correct hinge thickness - 10% of D.B.H. 

C. Level back-cut 

[Demrow 2011] 

Photo 3. Open face notch directional cutting 

[OSHA 2010] 
REPORT#: 2015-03 Page 11

• Determine the high side of the tree so the faller is positioned above the fall line of the tree and the lean of the 

tree. 

• Identify the appropriate felling direction in order to determine the felling technique and control the direction of 

the fall. 

• If at any time during felling preparations there are concerns the work cannot be performed safely and according 

to the falling plan, stop work and discuss concerns with the supervisor.

• Fell tree according to tree harvesting fall plan. 

• Choose a safe place to fell the tree that is open and clear and avoids brushing other trees. 

• Avoid rocks, stumps, windfalls, or gullies that may cause the tree to roll or break when it lands, which may create 

bucking hazards. 

• Avoid brushing adjacent trees by allowing trees to fall free of any obstructions and to land in a safe area. 

• Modify the tree harvesting fall plan if the terrain or other site conditions prevent a safe tree felling. 

• Remove any obstructions to the free fall of trees, e.g., trees with large limbs or multiple tops, dangerous trees and 

saplings. 

• Remove dangerous trees before falling other trees. Follow these steps when opening a felling face. [FSC 2012; 

OSHAd n.d.]

Employers should train fellers on identifying, creating, and maintaining clear retreat paths. Escape routes or retreat 

paths are cleared paths to move to a safe cover (i.e. standing tree, natural outcropping, or rock bluff) that:

• Allow escape for at least 10 ft and/or to safe cover, preferably to high side at a 45 degree angle (see Diagram 5)

• Remove tripping hazards (e.g., loose debris, sticks, and rocks).

• Several escape routes may be required with dangerous trees.

• Walk route(s) before cutting

• Remove saplings, brush, ground cover, or debris that could fly back and strike you, to create routes and around 

the tree. [FSC 2012; OSHAa n.d]

Photo 4. Photo shows lack of hinge wood in cut (Photo courtesy of NCDOL)
REPORT#: 2015-03 Page 12

At the time of the incident the brush and ground debris from previously felled trees cluttered the ground, which may 

have obstructed the feller’s escape paths. It may have helped to have chosen an escape path 45 degrees from the 

cutting face. Additionally, the positioning of the log deck affected the feller’s direction of felling, into standing timber, 

instead of into the opening. 

Recommendation #4: Employers should develop, implement, and enforce a written safety program that 

includes, but is not limited to, training in hazard identification, avoidance, and abatement. 

Discussion: Employers should develop, implement, and enforce a written safety program in the language and literacy 

level appropriate for all employees. At the time of the incident, the crew leader provided training on Fridays, orally in 

English and translated into Spanish by the crew leader. The training covered topics including hard hats, fire 

extinguishers, overhead hazards, and general jobsite safety. However, the company did not have a written safety and 

health program and did not maintain training records. 

A written safety program is broader in scope than the site-specific tree harvesting plan and faller safety plan, and should 

describe all company policies, the potential hazards of the worksite, training in hazard identification and the avoidance 

and abatement of these hazards, and controls and work practices selected to minimize those hazards. The program 

should also address the steps to be taken when a worker fails to follow the company’s established safe work practices. 

Safety program implementation requires management's commitment to provide adequate resources for training, 

accountability, self-audits, and employee involvement

Topics to be included in a site safety and health plan [OSHAc n.d.]:

• Tree harvesting plan 

• Daily safety checks and surveys 

• Personal protective equipment (PPE) Program 

• Equipment maintenance program 

• Training and training records 

Diagram 5. Felling retreat path [OSHAa n.d.]
REPORT#: 2015-03 Page 13

• Assignment of responsibilities for carrying out the safety plan

• Hazard communication program 

• Lockout/Tagout 

• Bloodborne pathogens 

• Hearing conservation 

• Accident investigation

The North Carolina ProLogger program provides a safety checklist booklet that helps employers and safety managers 

maintain the proper documentation and training related to logging safety [NCFAb n.d.]. Many trade associations offer 

logging safety certification programs: American Loggers Council, North Carolina Forestry Association, The Ohio Forestry 

Association, Virginia Tech Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, Wisconsin Certified Master 

Logger. These programs include annual recertification requirements. Employers should consider enrolling employees in 

these programs to supplement internal employee training. The logger safety programs are readily available in English, 

although the availability in Spanish is limited. Research is being conducted in the Pacific Northwest to address this 

important need [UW 2017]. 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

BC Forest Safety [n.d.]. Faller certification. Nanaimo, BC, Canada: British Columbia Forestry Safety Council.

This website provides information on how to apply and be certified to safely fell trees based on British Columbia 

standards. In British Columbia, all manual tree fallers in forestry operations must be trained and certified. The 

BC Forest Safety Council (BCFSC) is authorized to administer faller certification in the Province of BC. According 

to the British Columbia Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (OHSR) 26.22 (2) (a), new fallers are required 

to take basic training in falling trees by working one-on-one with a qualified faller or trainer for a period of not 

less than 30 days. This training must be conducted through an approved administrator.

BC Forest Safety [2012] Feller Training Standard, Part 1, & Part 2 . Nanaimo, BC, Canada: British Columbia Forestry Safety 

Council.

These documents provide information on clothing and personal protective equipment, protection from 

musculoskeletal injury, chainsaw maintenance, filing and handling information, crew transport, dangerous tree 

indicators, and procedures for dealing with various falling scenarios, alternative falling methods, limbing, 

adverse weather, bucking hazards and windthrow.

NIOSH [1995] Preventing Injuries and Deaths of Loggers. DHHS (NIOSH) publication no. 1995-10. 

This Alert describes six incidents resulting in the deaths of six workers who were performing logging operations. 

In each incident, the death could have been prevented by using proper safety procedures and equipment and by 

following the provisions of the OSHA standards.

North Carolina Forestry Associates [2016]. Pro Logger. Raleigh, NC

In cooperative effort directed by the NCFA, Forestry Mutual Insurance Company, the North Carolina Department 

of Labor and the North Carolina Forest Service share teaching responsibilities during the base ProLogger course. 

The base course promotes safety, business and environmental awareness. All loggers who want to become a 

ProLogger must take this base course that includes two days of classroom discussions and one field day.

DISCLAIMER

Mention of any company or product does not constitute endorsement by the National Institute for Occupational Safety 

and Health (NIOSH). In addition, citations to websites external to NIOSH do not constitute NIOSH endorsement of the 
REPORT#: 2015-03 Page 14

sponsoring organizations or their programs or products. Furthermore, NIOSH is not responsible for the content of these 

websites. All web addresses referenced in this document were accessible as of the publication date.

REFERENCES

ALC [2017]. Wisconsin master logger certification program. Florence, WI: American Loggers Council. 

FISTA [n.d.]. Standard directional cuts. Rhinelander WI: Forestry Industry Safety & Training Alliance, INC. 

FSC [2012]. BC Faller Training Standard 1. British Columbia, Canada: Forestry Safety Council, Work Safe. 

Demrow C [2011]. Bore cutting basics. Corinth, VT: Northern Woodlands. 

Husqvarna [n.d.]. Directional felling. Charlotte, NC: Husqvarna.

NCFAa [n.d.]. ProLogger. Raleigh, NC: North Carolina Forestry Association.

NCFAb [n.d.]. Logger safety checklist booklet. Raleigh, NC: North Carolina Forestry Association. 

OFA [2017]. Master Logger Company Program. Zanesville, OH: The Ohio Forestry Association.

OR-FACE [2007]. Fallers logging safety. Portland. OR: OHSU - Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences.

OSHA [2014]. 29 CFR 1910.266(h)(2)(i–vii) Logging operations. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational 

Safety and Health Administration. 

OSHA [2010]. Logging Operations. Grant Number: SH-20868-10. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Labor, 

Occupational Safety and Health Administration. 

OSHAa [n.d.]. Logging eTool, Felling trees. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health 

Administration. 

OSHAb [n.d.]. Logging eTool, Manual operations: felling trees. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational 

Safety and Health Administration. 

OSHAc [n.d.]. Logging eTool, Safety and health plan. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration. 

OSHAd [n.d.]. Logging eTool, Tree harvesting plan. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration. 

UW [2017]. Safety and health of Latino immigrant forestry services workers in the Pacific Northwest. Seattle, WA: 

University of Washington.

VT [2016]. SHARP Logger Program. Blacksburg, VA: Virginia Tech, College of Natural Resources, Department of Forest 

Resources and Environmental Conservation.
REPORT#: 2015-03 Page 15

Weather Underground [2014]. Weather history for KSVH, December 14. Atlanta, GA: The Weather Channel Interactive, 

Inc. 

WIMLC [n.d.]. Tree felling techniques manual. Florence, WI: Wisconsin Master Logger Council. 

INVESTIGATOR INFORMATION

This investigation was conducted by Jennifer E. Lincoln, Health Scientist, Fatality Investigations Team, Surveillance and 

Field Investigation Branch, Division of Safety Research.

ACKNOWLEDGEMEMENT

The NIOSH FACE Program would like to acknowledge the compliance officer and staff of the North Carolina Department 

of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Division, and Barbara Epstein from the Oregon Institute of Occupational Health 

Sciences, for providing assistance and information for this investigation.