Fatality Alert
On Wednesday, April 13th, a fatal incident occurred on a logging site north of Hope. A guyline on a yarder broke and the tower fell onto the cab, fatally injuring the yarder operator.
Our condolences go out to the family and co-workers of the deceased worker.
WorkSafeBC, the Coroners Service and the RCMP are investigating this incident.
Although the details of this incident are still unknown, review the following general safety information:
- Regular equipment inspections and preventative maintenance are key to productive and safe logging. WorkSafeBC’s Cable Yarding Systems Handbook contains useful information on inspecting wire rope.
- Watch out for upset conditions which are high risk situations that often lead to incidents. Heavy turns, poor deflection and yarding near standing trees are all examples of upset conditions. Stop, assess the risk and come up with an alternate plan when upset conditions occur.
- Guyline placement and anchoring are critical for yarder stability and safety. The Landing Layout and Guyline Placement section of the Cable Yarding Systems Handbook is a good reference.
- Regular supervisor checks on employees are necessary to identify and correct hazardous conditions or behaviours. To be qualified, a supervisor must be knowledgeable of the work, the hazards involved and the means to control those hazards.
Resources:
- WorkSafeBC’s Cable Yarding Systems Handbook
https://www.worksafebc.com/en/resources/health-safety/books-guides/cable-yarding-systems-handbook?lang=en
- Fatality Alert from Oregon: Logger Killed by Falling Sheave When Yarder Tower Collapses http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/face/stateface/or/03or006.html
- Rejection of Wire Rope Criteria - Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 15.25 https://www.worksafebc.com/en/law-policy/occupational-health-safety/searchable-ohs-regulation/ohs-regulation/part-15-rigging#SectionNumber:15.25
- Print copy of this fatality alert
