RESUMEN
Log truck drivers represent a high-risk yet understudied worker population. Logging, more generally, is known to be one of the most dangerous industries in the country, but little is known about injury and fatality rates among log truck drivers specifically. Using data from the Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS), this study aims to characterize log truck crashes in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. Using multiple logistic regression, we estimated the odds of a crash resulting in an injury or fatality by environmental and structural conditions at the time of each crash. Results indicate that the presence of a positive median barrier is strongly associated with a decreased odds of injury or fatality for log truck crashes (Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.45, p = 0.03). An increased number of vehicles involved in the crash was significantly associated with an increased odds of injury or fatality (OR = 1.32, p = 0.01). Crashes occurring in Washington or Oregon had significantly decreased odds of resulting in an injury or fatality, in comparison to Idaho and Montana (OR = 0.14, p < 0.001; OR = 0.53, p = 0.01, respectively). These results indicate that the presence of highway safety measures and a state-approved OSHA plan may be beneficial in decreasing the odds of injury or fatality in log truck crashes.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The logging industry is known to have one of the highest rates of fatal and nonfatal occupational injuries in the United States. Perspectives on why this study is so hazardous may differ between logging company owners/operators and workers. In this study, we explored and compared the safety perspectives of logging company owners/operators and workers in West Virginia. METHODS: Using a mixed-methods approach, we analyzed survey (n = 245) and interview (n = 14) data collected in 2015 from logging company owners/operators and workers in West Virginia. Survey data were analyzed via logistic regression; interview data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Response patterns were contrasted by occupational status (owners/operators vs. workers) in both analyses. RESULTS: Owners/operators and workers agreed on several aspects of workplace safety including the importance of personal protective equipment and the benefits of mechanization when timber harvesting. Key differences observed between owners/operators and workers included why injuries are underreported and the effects of production pressures on safety. CONCLUSION: While there was much agreement, owners/operators and workers in the West Virginia logging industry reported differences in key domains of workplace safety. These differences should be taken into account when designing and implementing safety programs in the logging industry.
Asunto(s)
Accidentes de Trabajo/psicología , Agricultura Forestal , Salud Laboral , Administración de la Seguridad , Lugar de Trabajo/psicología , Accidentes de Trabajo/prevención & control , Adulto , Empleo/psicología , Humanos , Modelos Logísticos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Proyectos de Investigación , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , West VirginiaRESUMEN
Human factors, including inadequate situational awareness, can contribute to fatal and near-fatal traumatic injuries in logging, which is among the most dangerous occupations in the United States. Real-time location-sharing technology may help improve situational awareness for loggers. We surveyed and interviewed professional logging contractors in Idaho to (1) characterize current perceptions of in-woods hazards and the human factors that lead to injuries; (2) understand their perspectives on using technology-based location-sharing solutions to improve safety in remote work environments; and (3) identify logging hazard scenarios that could be mitigated using location-sharing technology. We found production pressure, fatigue, and inexperience among the most-common factors contributing to logging injuries from the perspective of participants. Potential limitations of location-sharing technology identified included potential for distraction and cost. Contractors identified several situations where the technology may help improve safety, including (1) alerting workers of potential hand-faller injuries due to lack of movement; (2) helping rigging crews to maintain safe distances from yarded trees and logs during cable logging; and (3) providing a means for equipment operators to see approaching ground workers, especially in low-visibility situations.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Despite advances in mechanization, logging continues to be one of the most dangerous occupations in the United States. Logging in the Intermountain West region (Montana and Idaho) is especially hazardous due to steep terrain, extreme weather, and remote work locations. METHODS: We implemented a mixed-methods approach combining analyses of workers' compensation claims and focus groups to identify factors associated with injuries and fatalities in the logging industry. RESULTS: Inexperienced workers (>6 months experience) accounted for over 25% of claims. Sprain/strain injuries were the most common, accounting for 36% of claims, while fatalities had the highest median claim cost ($274 411). Focus groups identified job tasks involving felling trees, skidding, and truck driving as having highest risk. CONCLUSIONS: Injury prevention efforts should focus on training related to safe work methods (especially for inexperienced workers), the development of a safety culture and safety leadership, as well as implementation of engineering controls.
Asunto(s)
Accidentes de Trabajo/prevención & control , Agricultura Forestal/estadística & datos numéricos , Traumatismos Ocupacionales/prevención & control , Administración de la Seguridad , Indemnización para Trabajadores/estadística & datos numéricos , Accidentes de Trabajo/estadística & datos numéricos , Adulto , Costos y Análisis de Costo , Grupos Focales , Humanos , Idaho/epidemiología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Montana/epidemiología , Traumatismos Ocupacionales/epidemiología , Traumatismos Ocupacionales/mortalidad , Ocupaciones , Indemnización para Trabajadores/economía , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Logging continues to rank among the most lethal occupations in the United States. Though the hazards associated with fatalities are well-documented and safe distances from hazards is a common theme in safety education, positional relationships between workers and hazards have not been quantified previously. Using GNSS-RF (Global Navigation Satellite System-Radio Frequency) transponders that allow real-time monitoring of personnel, we collected positioning data for rigging crew workers and three common cable logging hazards: a log loader, skyline carriage, and snag. We summarized distances between all ground workers and each hazard on three active operations and estimated the proportion of time crew occupied higher-risk areas, as represented by geofences. We then assessed the extent to which positioning error associated with different stand conditions affected perceived worker safety status by applying error sampled in a separate, controlled field experiment to the operational data. Root mean squared error was estimated at 11.08 m in mature stands and 3.37 m in clearcuts. Simulated error expected for mature stands altered safety status in six of nine treatment combinations, whereas error expected for clearcuts affected only one. Our results show that canopy-associated GNSS error affects real-time geofence safety applications when using single-constellation American Global Positioning System transponders.