You hear a cracking sound,
look up
and a tree is leaning
toward you.
This massive trunk is about
to strike
and possibly crush you.
You have nowhere to go.
Is this the end?
Or is this just
another day at work?
Logging is
often dubbed the world's
most dangerous job.
In 2006,
statistics listed the fatality
rate of loggers
as more than 20 times that of
any other occupation in the U.S.
And since 2010,
the risk of death
for logging workers is
30 times higher.
More than half
of all logging-related
deaths caused by falling
or flying objects,
or from getting
caught in or between them.
90% of these fatalities
involved trees,
logs
or limbs.
Work in the logging industry
may seem like a death sentence.
But it doesn't have to be.
The proper training and information
can keep you yelling "timber!"
instead of "help!"
Proper personal
protective equipment
is essential for safe logging.
In addition to the basics like
gloves and ear protection,
you'll want to wear a hard hat.
Loggers are frequently killed
by tree branches and limbs
striking them in the head.
While sunglasses may look cool,
they're not much protection.
Face meshes are essential for
keeping your eyes,
nose and mouth safe
from flying debris.
Wear chaps that are made
of klevar
or ballistic nylon.
In case a chainsaw slips,
these materials will keep
your legs intact.
But while all this safety equipment
can save you from some
serious injuries,
it won't help if you
get crushed by a falling tree.
Most of us associate chainsaws
with crazed murderers
from slasher movies.
With good reason.
Chainsaws are the cause of frequent
injuries to tree fellers,
especially when it comes
to the hands,
arms and legs.
When operating a chainsaw,
make sure to follow safety
rules carefully.
To start,
it needs to be properly sharpened.
Chain tension and control settings
should all be checked
before firing it up.
Start the saw while standing
on level ground
with the chain brake on.
Get a good grip on the handles,
your footing secure
and don’t cut overhead.
And don't let your hand
get possessed by a demon.
By far the most dangerous
part of logging
is tree felling.
Most deaths occur within
3 m (10 ft) of the stump.
Gary Edinger,
a 68-year-old logger
found this out firsthand.
Or,
leg.
He was felling a tree
when the trunk started to split,
making its fall very unpredictable
He started to run,
but it struck him and
tore his leg clean off.
Edinger tried
to make a tourniquet
for the bleeding,
but it kept breaking.
Bleeding,
he managed to drag
himself to his vehicle
and drive clear of the forest
to call emergency services.
10 months
and pint of transfused blood later,
he returned to the woods
and finished off the tree
that took his leg off.
To avoid this fate,
make sure you carefully
plan your felling direction.
Consider the lean of the tree
and the slope of the ground,
and have a clear escape path.
You should create
two routes in the opposite side
of the tree
from the direction it is expected
to fall.
They should be at 45 degrees
from each other.
Use the saw's chain brake
when you're finished cutting
Never turn your back
on a tree while it's falling.
Move at least 6m (20ft) away,
and take cover behind
another tree if you can.
After a tree is felled,
it must be limbed and bucked.
Limbing is the chopping off
of any branches or limbs.
Bucking is
cutting it up into lumber.
Once a tree comes down,
there's a risk of it sliding
or springing back up
when being limbed or bucked,
which can easily
cause serious injury.
Check for any overhead hazards,
and cut from the uphill side
in case the tree rolls.
You don't want a tree
taking revenge on you.
Next to felling,
skidding
is the most dangerous
part of logging.
It involves moving lumber
to the loading area.
There's always a risk
of being pinned or struck
by the loading vehicle,
so make sure you're
communicating clearly
with the vehicle operator.
Another hazard during this process
is being pinned
or crushed by rolling lumber.
Make sure lumber is stacked
in a stable way,
and always hook
or unhook chokers
from the uphill side.
Logging can be deadly,
but most of the dangers
of the profession
can be avoided with
proper safety measures
and careful technique.
Plan each move carefully,
and be ready
to make split-second decisions
when things
don't go as expected.
But a tree falling on you
is only one of the many threats
that forests contain.
Could you live through being
stranded in one?
Find out more here,
on How to Survive.