Injuries

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. Building on a recent PNASH pilot project, a library of wearable- and location-based human activity recognition (HAR) models will be developed and coded into a smartwatch app prototype to enhance the safety and efficiency of forestry work in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington through increased situational awareness (SA) among workers on remote cable logging operations.  

The salmon set gillnet fishery has the highest fatalities in Alaska and fatalities for Alaska Native workers are on the rise. Ten out of fifteen fatalities from commercial fishing vessel disasters in Alaska from 2010-2014 occurred in open skiffs, the type of vessel used in salmon set gillnetting.

Loggers and log truck drivers are at high risk for fatigue and stress, due to long working hours and high job demands. Few studies have characterized the determinants of fatigue, risks, and solutions for this vital workforce. 

Project Overview