Nonoccupational Logging Fatalities --- Vermont, 1997--2007
Professional logging is one of the most hazardous occupations in the United 
States (1), and the factors contributing to injuries and fatalities associated 
with this occupation are well documented (2,_3_ 
(http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00036730.htm) ). However, little has been reported about logging 
fatalities in the nonoccupational setting. To better characterize 
nonoccupational logging fatalities, the Vermont Department of Health analyzed medical 
examiner data from Vermont for the period 1997--2007. This report describes four 
cases and summarizes data on all nonoccupational logging fatalities. The 
findings indicated that tree felling accounted for 15 (83%) of the 18 nonoccupational 
logging fatalities during the 11-year period and that 14 (78%) of the 
fatalities were attributed to injuries resulting from being struck by a falling tree 
or limb. Contributing factors in these incidents included absence of personal 
protective equipment (PPE), misjudgment of the path of falling trees, and 
being alone. Measures to reduce nonoccupational logging fatalities should focus on 
promoting safe tree-felling practices and increasing helmet use among 
nonprofessional woodcutters. Ideally, however, nonprofessionals should not 
participate in tree felling.  
Data were obtained through a review of all unintentional deaths reported to 
the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Vermont during 1997--2007. Death 
certificates, autopsy reports, and law enforcement investigation reports from 
this period were reviewed. A case was defined as any nonoccupational fatality in 
a Vermont resident resulting from logging (i.e., cutting or moving trees or 
portions of trees).  
Case Reports 
Case 1. In May 2006, a man aged 60 years was alone cutting sugar maple trees 
for firewood on his property. While he was cutting a partially downed tree 
with a chain saw, the tree gave way, rolling over the man's lower torso and 
killing him. Investigation revealed that the man was alive for some time, 
attempting to extract himself before his death. The cause of death was ruled as blunt 
impact of the torso and abdomen, resulting in exsanguination and respiratory 
arrest.  
Case 2. In December 2005, a man aged 54 years was handling the rope in a 
tree-felling operation at his home with the help of a friend, who was cutting 
branches above him. The decedent was struck on the head and killed by a branch of 
approximately 2 inches in diameter, which broke free from a tree and fell 
40--50 feet. The cause of death was ruled as massive cranial instability 
attributed to blunt impact to the head. Both men had been wearing helmets, but the 
decedent had removed his shortly before the fatal incident.  
Case 3. In January 1998, a man aged 42 years was clearing debris and 
partially downed trees immediately after an ice storm. While he was cutting one of 
these trees with a chain saw, the tree fell, hit him on the head, and then landed 
across him, trapping him beneath the tree. Onlookers responded immediately; 
however, because of the weight of the tree, they were unable to extract the 
man. The cause of death was ruled as an injury to the head. The man was not 
wearing a helmet.  
Case 4. In March 1998, a man aged 70 years was attempting to remove a stump 
from a tree he had cut down on his property. The man placed a chain, attached 
to his tractor, around the base of the stump. Upon engaging the tractor, a rear 
rollover occurred, pinning the man underneath. The cause of death was ruled 
as suffocation attributed to chest compression from the tractor.  
Summary of Cases 
A total of 18 nonoccupational logging fatalities occurred in Vermont during 
1997--2007, compared with 16 occupational logging fatalities during the same 
period (_Table_ 
(http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5710a4.htm?s_cid=mm5710a4_e#tab) ). Among the nonoccupational fatalities, all occurred in white 
males with a mean and median age of 58 years (range: 19--83 years). Ten (56%) of 
the decedents were alone at the time of the incident. Fourteen (78%) 
fatalities resulted from being struck by a tree, two (11%) resulted from tractor 
rollovers, one (6%) resulted from a fall from a ladder, and one (6%) resulted from 
a motor-vehicle rollover. Nine (50%) of the fatalities occurred during 
November--February, and 11 (61%) occurred during Friday--Sunday. The time of the 
injury was known for 12 incidents, all of which occurred during daylight hours. 
Blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) and toxicologic screening results were 
available for 12 decedents. Of those 12, one had a BAC of 0.02 mg/dL, and one had 
evidence of marijuana use (blood carboxy tetrahydracannabinol 20.8 ng/mL).  
Reported by: S Shapiro, MD, C Lohff, MD, Vermont Dept of Health. A Laney, 
PhD, EIS Officer, CDC.  
Editorial Note:
Although nonoccupational logging activities (e.g., cutting firewood, property 
cleanup, trimming limbs, and pruning and cutting trees) are not easily 
quantifiable, they are common, especially in rural settings. Most of these 
activities are not regulated and do not require special training or a permit. As such, 
the level of experience, awareness of safety measures, and prevalence of PPE 
use among persons involved in nonoccupational logging is likely more varied 
than among those involved in occupational logging (4), for which occupational 
standards (e.g., training and use of PPE) are a requirement. Therefore, the risk 
for injury and death likely is greater among those involved in nonoccupational 
logging.  
Factors that likely contributed to these fatalities include improper 
tree-felling techniques, misjudgment of the path of falling trees, being alone, lack 
of helmet use, and improper use of equipment (2,4,5). Impairment from drugs or 
alcohol, darkness, and chainsaw injuries were not major contributors.  
The findings in this report are subject to at least two limitations. First, 
not all data (e.g., data on helmet use or toxicologic screening results) were 
available for all cases. Second, some nonoccupational logging fatalities might 
have occurred during the study period but were not identified as such. For 
example, a death in a person who sustained an injury while logging (e.g., a 
traumatic brain injury) and died days or weeks after the incident might have not 
been detected.  
The majority of logging fatalities result from being struck by falling trees 
or branches (1,2). Multiple factors determine when, where, and how a tree will 
fall. As a tree falls, it can strike another tree, knocking down branches. In 
addition, connecting vines can pull other trees or dead branches in the 
canopy down upon the tree feller. Prediction of fall trajectory for partially 
downed trees is difficult. In addition, nonoccupational tree harvesting usually is 
conducted in areas not specifically managed for timber harvesting, further 
compounding the risk.  
The risks associated with nonoccupational logging can be minimized, and many 
nonoccupational logging fatalities are preventable. Ideally, only 
professionals should participate in tree felling. The following measures are recommended 
by the Vermont Department of Health to reduce the risk for injury and death 
associated with nonoccupational logging: 1) professional loggers should be hired 
for tree felling; 2) persons engaged in logging activities should receive 
appropriate training in safe tree-felling practices (which is often offered 
through county extension offices); 3) helmets and other appropriate PPE should be 
worn during all logging activities; 4) tree felling should not be undertaken by 
one person alone; and 5) farm tractors should not be used for logging 
activities (_6_ (http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00040898.htm) ).  
Acknowledgments  
This report is based, in part, on contributions by B Philbin, Vermont Dept of 
Health, and J Myers and L Jackson, National Institute for Occupational Safety 
and Health, CDC.  
References
    1.  US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. National census 
of fatal occupational injuries in 2006. Washington, DC: US Department of Labor, 
Bureau of Labor Statistics; 2007. Available at 
_http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/cfoi.pdf_ (http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/cfoi.pdf) .  
    2.  Scott DF. A study of logger fatalities from 1992--2000. Inj Prev 
2004;10:239--43.  
    3.  _CDC. NIOSH alert: request for assistance in preventing injuries and 
deaths of loggers. MMWR 1995;44:264--5._ 
(http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00036730.htm)   
    4.  Johnson CM, Lagares-Garcia JA, Miller SL. When the bough breaks: a 
10-year review of logging injuries treated at a rural trauma center in 
Pennsylvania. Am Surg 2002;68:573--81.  
    5.  Helmkamp JC, Kennedy RD, Fosbroke DE, Myers ML. Occupational 
fatalities in the fishing, logging and air transport industries in Alaska, 1991. Scand 
J Work Environ Health 1992;18(Suppl 2):55--7.  
    6.  _CDC. Fatalities associated with improper hitching to farm 
tractors---New York, 1991--1995. MMWR 1996;45:307--11._ 
(http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00040898.htm)  

Table


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