Background:
On a March day in the Pacific Northwest, a hooktender was badly injured when he was struck by a rolling rock that was dislodged from a windthrow’s root wad by a moving turn.
The site was located on a 70% slope with steep side slopes.
Personal Characteristics:
The hooktender who was involved in the incident had 40 years of experience in the field. The choker setter involved had nine years of experience.
All loggers were wearing personal protective equipment.
Unsafe Acts and Conditions:
The choker setter set a three-log turn, and then went uphill to the opposite side of the draw with the rigging slinger. The hooktender remained on the other side of the draw, downhill of the skyline.
The hooktender gave the all-clear, and they went ahead on the turn. As the turn started to move uphill, the hooktender started walking across the hillside toward the skyline to set the next turn. The turn went up and over an old windthrow, causing it to roll and dislodge three large rocks from its root wad.
Accident:
The choker setter saw the rocks start to roll and yelled to the hooktender. The hooktender was able to avoid the first two, but the largest rock struck him, throwing him 25 feet downhill.
Injury:
The hooktender suffered four breaks in his leg, two fractured ribs, and a ruptured lung.
Recommendations for Corrections:
• Recognize the risk of unstable objects rolling downhill.
• Develop and follow a plan to keep the rigging crew in the clear and safe from hazard.
• Lead workers should set a positive example for the crew by following and promoting safe practices.
Source: Forest Resources Association
