March 28, 2024
BANGOR DAILY NEWS (BANGOR, MAINE

Safety seminar designed to cut logging accidents

JACKMAN — When Gerald Tripp went into the woods May 31, he had no way of knowing that he would never come out alive. An experienced logger, Tripp, 43, apparently was run over by his skidder while working alone on a woodlot in Frankfort.

Such incidents dramatically underscore the need for increased safety in Maine’s most hazarous industry, said Northern Woods Safety Foundation spokesmen. On May 24, the Jackman-based foundation unveiled its latest effort to combat woods hazards, the Supervisors Safety Seminar.

The seminar, to be held throughout the state, is designed to teach logging supervisors to conduct their own safety sessions. On May 24, the seminar was held in Ashland as part of a weeklong conference of Fraser Paper Co. and its logging contractors.

Bob Meyer, technical division forester for the American Pulpwood Association, described the most dangerous situations faced by woods workers as hung trees and sitback trees. The cause of each is improper notching technique, Meyer told his audience.

Correcting poor notching and setting good safety examples are ways supervisors can promote safety. Meyer presented several techniques to help logging supervisors conduct safety programs. “It’s critical to get the crew involved in safety,” Meyers said. “One way to do this is through safety incentives. Another way is by forming a safety committee.”


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