Citation

Fischer V, Young N, Mueller C, Stueland DT. Am. J. Ind. Med. 2005; 47(3): 246-253.

Affiliation

National Farm Medicine Center, Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation, Marshfield, Wisconsin, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/ajim.20133

PMID

15712257

Abstract

BACKGROUND: No reliable statistics exist for injury rates among occasional woodcutters as opposed to professional loggers. Study objectives were to assess woodcutting injuries seen in emergency rooms and identify risk factors. METHODS: Individuals with woodcutting related injuries were identified in 14 emergency and urgent care departments in central and northern Wisconsin. A telephone survey was conducted within 3 weeks of presentation to determine number and types of injuries, causes, and characteristics of the injured. RESULTS: Three times as many woodcutting-related injuries occurred in non-logger survey participants (54 vs. 17). There was no significant difference in age or type of injury. Loggers were more likely to wear personal protective equipment. Younger individuals attributed their accidents to human errors, whereas older individuals felt their injuries were unavoidable. CONCLUSIONS: Occasional woodcutting activities result in comparable, but more frequent injuries than professional logging activities. Further data are needed to assess impact on public safety.