Background:
In May 2000, the Louisiana Forestry Association (LFA) and Louisiana Logging
Council (LLC) formed an OSHA Strategic Partnership (OSP) with OSHA’s Region VI
Baton Rouge Area Office. Prior to the OSP forming, the logging industry had a
history of being one of the most dangerous industries in Louisiana. The main
purpose of the OSP was to reduce injuries, illnesses, and fatalities in the
state, as well as the industry, by increasing safety and health training and
education, and identifying hazards by conducting self-inspections. Due to the
success over the years, the OSP was renewed on July 18, 2008 for an additional
three years.
Success Impact:
Decreased Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities
Through partners’ efforts to address causes of the high number of injuries,
illnesses, and fatalities, it was discovered that the main cause and type of
injury among loggers was a knee sprain/strain incurred while dismounting
equipment (and trucks). Since then, the OSP has emphasized proper procedures for
dismounting equipment in their safety workshops and training courses. Over the
last few years, this type of accident has been nearly eliminated among equipment
operators.
Two years after the OSP was implemented, the number of total fatalities in the
state decreased significantly. As shown in the below table, the number of
fatalities decreased by almost 80 percent between 2000 and 2006. The OSP has
contributed to this decrease in logging fatalities by promoting safety and
health in this industry through the development of safety and health management
systems (SHMS).
Number of Logging Fatalities
in Louisiana by Year
Since the OSP Formed |
| 2000 |
8 |
| 2001 |
8 |
| 2002 |
8 |
| 2003 |
1 |
| 2004 |
2 |
| 2005 |
3 |
| 2006 |
1 |
Increased Safety and Health Training Leads to a Safer Culture
Over the duration of the OSP, more than 45 training sessions were offered, with
more than 2,000 loggers receiving safety training pertaining to industry
hazards. The training sessions were provided by Compliance Safety and Health
Officers (CSHOs) from Region VI’s Baton Rouge Area Office, OSHA Consultation,
and C.F. “Neils” de Hoop, an associate professor at Louisiana State University’s
Louisiana Forest Products Development Center. Additional training courses were
also provided by OSHA Consultation at a LLC seminar and the LFA sponsored an
OSHA regulations workshop. Technical assistance in the form of interpretation
and explanation of standards has been provided by CSHOs and the Compliance
Assistance Specialist (CAS) from the Baton Rouge Area Office and Consultation
staff.
Partnership Objectives:
The key objective of the OSP is to improve loggers’
safety and health in Louisiana reducing fatalities, injuries, and illnesses and
improving safety and health management systems (SHMS). Progress is measured by
collecting and analyzing workplace fatalities, injuries, and illnesses, and
tracking the number of safety training classes offered and attendees of each
session.
Origin: Region VI Baton Rouge Area Office
Partners: The Louisiana Forestry Association and
Louisiana Logging Council
Partnership Signed: May 2000; renewed July 2008
Industry: Logging Industry (NAICS Code 113310)
Employees: 2,400
Employers: 249
Source and Date: Henry Brown, OSHA National Office
OSHA Strategic Partnership Program (OSPP) Lead for Region VI (July 2008)
Status: Open
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