Steel Shard Lodges in Eye of WorkerBackground
On a fall day in the Pacific Northwest a bulldozer operator exited his machine to work on a sweep arm pin on the dozer blade.
Personal Characteristics
The operator’s experience and training are unknown.
Unsafe Acts and Conditions
The bulldozer operator was not wearing protective eyewear.
Accident and Injury
The operator hit the sweep arm pin with a hammer, and two steel shards broke off from the pin. One missed the operator. However, the other shard lodged in his left eye. He called a co-worker for assistance, and he was transported to a hospital for emergency treatment.
His recovery time and return to work are unknown.
Recommendations for Correction
Workers often take everyday activities for granted. Do a proper assessment of what Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is needed prior to performing any work. What are the hazards? What are the risks?
Among other tasks, protective eyewear should also be worn anytime a worker is:
(Source: Forest Resources Association. To access this and other Safety Alerts, visit www.forestresources.org and click on Resources.)
ON THE COVER
Paul Jones started WyEast Forestry Management with only a rented bulldozer. A little over 10 years later, the business has evolved and grown to include three distinct companies
WyEast Timber Services on the Grow
Firewood business unit enables company to be vertically integrated, spurs growth.
Winch-Assist Approach Makes Its Way East
West Virginia logger looking to improve safety gets a boost in production with technology used in the West: a TimberMax Traction-Winch.
Good Crew Leads to Success for Wayne Stone Logging
Wayne Stone attributes his nearly 40 years of success in the logging industry to his productive crew and reliable equipment.
Payload, Cycle Time Are Keys to Productive Grapple Yarding
Recent research suggests grapple yarding can be very productive, yarding more than 100 tons per Productive Machine Hour (PMH). Payload and cycle time are the keys.
Oregon Logging Conference Gets a Boost
The 85th Annual Oregon Logging Conference got a boost in attendance and visitors compared to a year ago. Pre-registered attendance and exhibitor participation both increased.
Tech Column
Daily service check will help ensure proper maintenance of heavy equipment. Matthew Flood, Product Marketing Manager for John Deere, has some suggestions on how to go about it.
Departments
