OSHA Cites New Hampshire Logging Company

OSHA Region 1 News Release

U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA Cites New Hampshire Logging Company after Worker's Death

CONCORD, N.H. -- A Webster, N.H., logging company faces $44,850 in fines from the U. S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) following the death of a worker who was apparently struck by a tree while working in the woods off Henniker Rd. in Warner. Chuck Rose Logging was cited for 30 alleged willful, serious and other violations of safety and health standards in connection with the July 3 accident.

"By many measures, logging is the most dangerous occupation in the United States," said Rosemarie Ohar, OSHA's area director in New Hampshire. "Preventing accidents and fatalities among loggers requires a combination of effective training, safe work practices, the use of appropriate personal protective equipment and properly maintained tools."

OSHA's inspection found that "danger trees," those that present a hazard to employees working in close proximity to them, were left standing while workers felled nearby trees. OSHA's logging standard requires that such trees be felled and removed by safe means before employees work in their vicinity.

OSHA also determined that employees wore neither leg protection while operating chainsaws nor head protection while felling trees. Other violations cited at the jobsite included lack of employee training, using the domino method to fell trees, improper backcutting, damaged or defective skidders, lack of first-aid training and kits for all workers, an unguarded chipper, failure to assess worksite hazards, excess noise levels and failure to ensure that all loggers were in visual or audible contact while felling trees.

Other hazards identified during the inspection included an unguarded grinder, improper storage of oxygen cylinders, lack of a written hazard communication program and lack of a bloodborne pathogen exposure control program, training and personal protective equipment for first aid providers. The company also was cited for not notifying OSHA of the worker's death within eight hours.

Detailed information about logging safety, including an interactive e-tool is available on OSHA's Web site at: http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/logging/index.html.

OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with an intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and regulations. OSHA issues a serious citation when death or serious physical harm are likely to result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations to request and participate in an informal conference with the OSHA area director or to contest the citations before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The investigation was conducted by OSHA's Concord area office, telephone (603) 225-1629.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.