The timber industry offers stable employment for blue-collar workers. Those who work with timber often receive competitive wages because of the risk involved in their work. Timber-related professions often top lists of the most dangerous jobs in the United States based on workplace fatalities.
Timber professionals evaluate standing trees, harvest them and transport the wood harvested to processing facilities. There are many hazards involved in the collection of timber from a natural environment. Even dedicated timber growth parcels have various hazards present that can put someone’s life at risk. The following safety concerns tend to be the most pressing issues for those in the timber industry.
Falling trees and branches
Collecting Timber typically involved spelling treats. That process can be incredibly dangerous. Even with proper equipment and training, workers may not accurately predict when or where a tree may fall. They can also get struck by dead branches that could come loose from the tree they intend to harvest or other trees nearby. Such incidents can cause severe injuries and may lead to death.
Chainsaws and other cutting implements
The equipment used to harvest trees can be particularly dangerous. Chainsaws have a strong association with fatal injuries even though they reduce the labor involved in harvesting timber. All it takes is a slip of the hand for someone to cut themselves or a coworker and cause a debilitating or life-threatening injury. Even with proper training, regular equipment maintenance and safety gear, handling a chainsaw on the job might put someone at risk of severe injury or death.
Incidents involving vehicles
Specialized vehicles are often necessary to access timber harvesting locations and to haul the harvested trees and branches out for additional processing. Those vehicles can be a major safety concern for professionals. Drivers may fail to properly monitor their surroundings and could strike people nearby. Those operating vehicles in an off-road environment could be at risk of the vehicle tipping because of uneven terrain.
Timber and logging professionals who learn about common, pressing safety risks can better monitor their environments for hazards. They can also take appropriate steps in pursuit of compensation after getting hurt.