Safety in steep slope logging operations.

Partial results of a NIOSH-funded study for "Protecting the Logging Workforce: Development of Innovative Logging Techniques for a Safer Work Environment" by a team of researchers at Oregon State University are presented that review safety in steep slope logging. Comparisons are made for hazards and exposures of "conventional" and new technologies for steep slopes. Hazards of new technologies are identified. Safety assessments are addressed for forestry sectors internationally, for the firm and for workers. Important questions of technical feasibility, economic viability and environmental performance are raised. Ongoing research on operators using tethered and untethered systems are described. Results will help inform training and selecting operators. New Best Operating Practices and safety code regulations will result from the research. New technologies will reduce worker hazards and exposures for steep slope logging.

Defining critical safety behaviors in a point-of-view video observation study of tree fallers at work.

This study aimed to characterize the use of five critical safety behaviors by tree fallers at different skill levels, and to test the feasibility of using a helmet camera to observe work activities directly in a remote environment. Small cameras were mounted on standard hard-hats. Video data were obtained for pairs of fallers at four different skill levels, from beginning students to professional fallers. Critical action steps during tree episodes were coded and compared. Critical action steps for fallers were successfully distinguished during work activities. Notable differences were observed among fallers in different skill categories and between individual fallers. This study found that the helmet camera worked well for observing faller work behavior, and that point-of-view video observation may be used to evaluate student loggers and training programs. We also found that professional fallers may have been exposed to increased hazard; care should be observed with helmet cameras designed for professionals.