By Paul Quandt

Oregon has long been a leader in the production of softwood lumber and plywood, key materials for home construction. The state produces more than 6.1 billion board feet of lumber annually, making up approximately 16.5% of total U.S. output.

Such a prolific industry is not without its risks. The logging sector is widely recognized as one of the most hazardous professions in the U.S., with a fatal injury rate of 82 per 100,000 for full-time workers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The process of cutting and transporting trees involves an array of complex, high-risk tasks, where maintaining safety is critical.

Nonfatal injuries are also disproportionately high in the logging industry, with lost-time injury rates reaching up to 40% higher than the private sector. These numbers highlight the severe risks faced by logging professionals and emphasize the need for operators to implement stringent safety measures to protect their workforce.

Leading hazards in the logging industry

The logging industry faces numerous hazards that pose significant risks to workers. Here are some of the top dangers:

• Chainsaw kickback: This frequent hazard occurs when the chain at the guide bar’s tip strikes an object, causing the chainsaw to jerk backward, leading to severe or fatal injuries. Fallersare particularly vulnerable during tree cutting.

• “Line of fire” hazards: Slingers and chasers are often at risk of being caught between objects like logs or machinery, can be struck by moving trees, or exposed to discharged energy from malfunctioning equipment.

• Slips, trips and falls: Uneven terrain, coupled with mud, snow and ice, creates a high risk for slips, trips and falls. These seemingly minor hazards are a leading cause of lost-time injuries in the industry, especially for buckers.

• Working alone or in isolation: Many logging tasks occur in remote areas, where workers are often alone. Injuries in these settings can quickly escalate if help isn’t available promptly. Logging companies must address this by defining isolation scenarios, implementing check-in procedures, and developing robust emergency response plans.

• Unstable or “danger trees”: Unsteady, dead or damaged trees can fall without warning, putting nearby faller workers at serious risk. Tree stability is influenced by factors such as location, condition, weather, and surrounding activities, making it difficult to predict when a tree might fall.

The role of proper training

With so much at stake, it’s important to make safety a priority within the logging and wood products industries, beginning with robust training and skills development.

Logging often attracts younger workers, who are at higher injury risk due to inexperience and lack of situational awareness. To address this, training programs must go beyond basic instruction. Effective training should include hands-on demonstrations of safe practices in actual work environments, ensuring that employees not only learn the theory but can apply it in real-world scenarios. By fostering a culture of safety and continuous learning, logging companies can significantly reduce the risks for their workforce.

Proactive implementation of effective health and safety programs

Implementing a comprehensive health and safety program is vital for logging companies, especially in states like Oregon where stringent state-specific OSHA standards are in place. In fact, Oregon OSHA’s logging safety requirements are considered among the most comprehensive in the U.S., setting a strong example for other regions.

A well-structured program provides the necessary framework to manage the inherent dangers of the logging industry. Key components of a robust health and safety program should include:

• A clear, written statement of management’s commitment to safety
• Comprehensive training for employees
• Personal protective equipment protocols
• Regular workplace inspections
• Hazard identification and control procedures
• Accident investigation and incident management
• Emergency response plans
• Continuous auditing to ensure ongoing compliance

Another essential component of an organization’s risk management strategy is effective hazard identification and control. Before beginning any forest activities, companies should conduct a thorough pre-work hazard assessment, led by a qualified individual, to identify potential risks such as danger trees, loose logs, rocks and other hazards. Following this, a pre-work safety meeting should be held to inform the crew about identified risks and outline strategies to mitigate them. These meetings should be documented to ensure accountability.

In areas where hazards cannot be immediately addressed, clear hazard marking should be implemented to make workers aware of the dangers. Additionally, logging environments are constantly changing, so maintaining an ongoing field-level hazard assessment throughout the day is critical to monitor and control emerging risks as they arise.

Importance of tailored insurance

Finally, a key element of any logging or wood products risk management strategy is securing proper insurance. The specific insurance coverage and cost required for a logging or wood products business depends on several factors, including the company’s size, location and operational risks. Coverages to consider include General Liability, Loggers broad form Property Damage, Commercial Property, Pollution Liability, Workers’ Comp and Commercial Auto. By carefully selecting the right policies for your logging business, you can ensure comprehensive protection while managing risk effectively.

Prioritizing safety

Despite improvements, logging remains one of the most hazardous professions worldwide. The daily risks faced by loggers make safety a crucial priority for any logging operation. By developing a comprehensive safety plan that involves the entire organization, implementing it with clear, measurable outcomes, and continuously seeking ways to improve, organizations can effectively manage the high-risk hazards of the logging industry.

About the author

Paul Quandt, CIC, CFPS, CLCS, is the senior commercial lines insurance executive with global insurance brokerage HUB International’s Oregon region and northwest leader of their Forest Products Division.  With over 100 years’ experience serving the forest products industry, Paul and his team are well versed in the unique environment and needs of our industry.  Paul has developed a strong reputation as a high energy and risk-reducing focused specialist. Prior to his transition to the agency side, he oversaw risk services of 7 western states for a national insurance carrier, designing cost-effective risk reduction programs.  In 2015 Paul joined HUB International, a top 5 global brokerage.  Today, he is primarily focused on companies that carry risk; those that view quality loss control & safety programs as a necessity; whether it is heavy manufacturing, complicated liability, large fleet, high percentage of accounts receivable, or a workers compensation concern. 

His background in risk management makes him uniquely qualified to review his clients’ coverage and safety programs, assisting them in not only making sure they are well covered in the event of a loss, but also reducing the likelihood of a loss by putting risk services at the forefront.  Paul is proud of his dedication to continuing education, having earned certifications as a CIC, CLCS, and the prestigious CFPS.