Fatal injuries caused by logs rolling off trucks: Kentucky 1994-1998

Background Logging is one of the most hazardous occupations and fatality ra tes are consistently among the highest of all industries. A review of fatal ities caused by logs rolling off trucks is presented. Methods The Kentucky Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation Project is a statewide surveillance system for occupational fatalities, investigations are conducted on selected injuries with an emphasis on prevention strategy development. Logging was an area of high priority for case investigation. Results During 1994-1998, we identified seven incidents in which a worker w as killed by a log rolling off a truck at a sawmill, accounting for 15% of the 45 deaths related to logging activities. These cases were reviewed to i dentify similar characteristics and risk factors. Conclusions Investigations led to recommendations for behavioral, administr ative, and engineering controls. Potential interventions include limiting l oad height on trucks, installing unloading cages at sawmills and prohibitin g overloaded trucks on public roadways. Am. J. Ind. Med. 39:203-208, 2001. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.