OSHA has cited Best Logging, a company based in Ripley, West Virginia for 14 alleged serious and four other-than-serious violations – including tree felling hazards – found at a Rock Castle work site. OSHA's February inspection was initiated following the fatality of a worker, who was struck by a tree during logging operations.
The serious violations were due to the company's failure to ensure employees wore leg protection, heavy duty cut-resistant boots, and head, eye and face protection while operating a chain saw and performing logging operations; ensure employees were within visual or audible contact with each other at all times; provide first aid kits with all required items on each piece of equipment or at the cutting area; train employees in first aid/CPR; provide training to employees involved in logging operations; consider the location of surrounding trees prior to felling a tree; properly fell and remove a danger tree; fell trees with a sufficient hinge; and maintain fire extinguishers on each machine.