Citation

Scott DF. Inj. Prev. 2004; 10(4): 239-243.

Affiliation

NIOSH, Spokane Research Laboratory, Spokane, WA 99207, USA. dus3@cdc.gov

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/ip.2003.004663

PMID

15314053

PMCID

PMC1730106

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To determine if certain loggers are at increased risk of death during logging operations. METHODS: Statistical analysis of 780 logger fatalities for a nine year period (1992-2000). RESULTS: The major findings are: (1) treefallers suffer nearly 63% of all fatalities, (2) the region where the fatality occurred and the size of the employer were not significant factors that contributed to a high percentage of treefaller fatalities, and (3) the Northeast and Midwest regions showed a higher percentage of fatalities compared with the South and West regions. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the logger fatality rate for 1992-2000, compared with 1980-88 has decreased slightly; however, treefallers continue to be the group of loggers who suffer the highest fatality rate.