Logger killed by 41-foot pole sliding down steep hill

Oregon Case Report:06OR009
Release Date: October 2007

The following report is the product of our Cooperative State partner and is presented here in its original unedited form from the state. The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the individual Cooperative State partner and do not necessarily reflect the views or policy of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

SUMMARY

On March 21, 2006, a 21-year-old logger, working as a choker setter in a yarding operation, was killed by a pole sliding down the hillside from above. The rigging crew had just hooked a turn of logs to a skyline cable, and moved to a location in the clear of the turn as it moved to the landing. While the turn was heading uphill, a narrow 41-foot-long pole with a sharp end came sliding downhill toward the crew. The pole narrowly missed the rigging slinger. The choker setter was struck and impaled by the pole, and was carried about 27 feet downhill. The victim died shortly following the incident.

Logger killed by 41-foot pole sliding down steep hill [PDF 83 KB]