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Summary
An analysis of 452 accidents in hardwood logging in New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and Western Australia during 1979–83 is presented. The accidents were recorded by logging contractors working in five large pulpwood and woodchip companies in southeastern Australia and by the State of Western Australia.
Fallers and dumpmen who formed one third of the population of the logging industry, suffered two thirds of the accidents and resulting lost time. The most frequent accidents were due to falls and rolling or springing logs or limbs. The most common injury was laceration. The legs were the most frequently injured part of the body.
There were indications in the data that higher levels of productivity per man per year were associated with higher levels of accidents. The piece rate or contract payment system under which the work is carried out is considered to be a major obstacle to the acceptance of measures designed to reduce accidents.
Possible counter-measures which can be employed by management to reduce the number and severity of logging accidents are considered.