Logging

Logging yard
Logging yard

The forestry sector is among the top ten manufacturing employers in the US, and yet logging work is among the top three most dangerous. Logging involves exposures to a wide variety of hazards, including: work in close proximity to heavy equipment and trucks; tree falls, log movements and falling objects; ergonomic issues; hand-arm and whole-body vibration; noise, and; environmental factors. The fatality rate for loggers  recently averaged 84 deaths per 100,000 workers. This represents a steady decline in fatalities, yet is still 23 times greater than the overall US rate. Washington and Oregon represent about 20% of total US logging employment.

Logging is characterized by small businesses, comprising only 0.5% of all US employment, but accounts for 2% of all workplace fatalities. Smaller logging contractors have mortality risks ten times higher than larger firms. Injuries are also very common in logging..Learn more in this US Bureau of Labor Statistics' Beyond the Numbers article on logging.

In coming years the logging sector will emerge from the recession with a workforce substantially reduced in numbers and skills. Increased mechanization of logging is changing the nature of the hazards and is generally safe, yet these new technologies introduce new hazards to address. There is a need to build this valuable worforce’s skills and knowledge to improve their safety. Our forestry and logging research priorities are developed with the  participation of logging stakeholders.

PNASH Selected Articles

Regional and National Resources

Resources

decorative

Talking about Ticks - Lyme disease

This free webinar from AgriSafe covers how to: prevent tick bites, remove a tick if bitten, and spotting signs and symptoms of Lyme Disease.

decorative

How to Use a Chainsaw Safely - Part 1

Learn how to operate a chainsaw to fell trees. Topics include choosing an appropriate saw, safety features, proper posture, and more.

Forestry and farming workers

U.S. Ag Center Youtube Channel

Visit the channel to see the best workplace safety & health videos for agriculture from all 11 NIOSH Ag Centers across the United States. 

PNASH Research

Forestry Workforce Location- and Wearable-based Activity Recognition to Quantify on-the Job Digital Health and Safety Metrics

NIOSH Funding Period 2022-2027 | Robert Keefe, PhD and Eloise Zimbelman, PhD

Logging is among the most dangerous professions in the United States. Manual felling of timber with chainsaws and setting of cable log chokers accounted for 47% of injuries in Idaho between 2011-2014.

Learn more
Determinants of Stress, Fatigue, and Injury Risk for Loggers and Log Truck Drivers

PNASH Pilot Project 2021-2022 | Marissa Baker, PhD and June Spector, MD & MPH

Loggers and log truck drivers are at high risk for fatigue and stress, due to long working hours and high job demands.

Learn more
Use of Unexpected Events and Management Requiring Conditions in the Training and Management of Loggers

PNASH Pilot Project 2019-2021 | Kevin Lyons, PhD

This pilot project is developing a novel system, with a simulated environment, where workers identify potential safety concerns and assign a severity rating to the safety concerns.

Learn more