Our Blog

Timely briefs on topics specific to the industries BITCO serves. Subjects include worker safety, worksite hazards, best practices, new research, industry updates, regulations, public liability, property protection and more.

Greg Tatum, Risk Control Consultant

Recent Posts

Personal Protective Equipment for Loggers

| July 5, 2022

Heat Exhaustion - Water 

Most of the time, when listening to a safety topic concerning Personal Protective Equipment, most think of items such as hard hats, hi-visibility vests or shirts, gloves, eye protection, hearing, and footwear related to the type of industry you are working. However, PPE can be in the form of anything that provides protection - whether on a construction or timber harvesting work site, in sawmill manufacturing, or simply in a remote forestry setting. PPE is also relevant to environmental conditions. During this time of the year, temperatures start to soar from the mid to high heat ranges, even starting early mornings in some locations.

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Tough Brake

| May 25, 2021

Safety Insights to Prevent Out-of-Service Violations

According to the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, out-of-adjustment brakes and brake system violations combine to represent half of all out-of-service violations issued for commercial vehicles on the road. Brake systems that are improperly installed or poorly maintained can reduce the braking capacity and stopping distance of commercial motor vehicles, creating a serious safety risk. In fact, brakes were listed in FMCSA's top 20 Out-of-Service Violations.

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Skidder Good Managment Practices

| May 4, 2021

Practices to Keep You Safe on the Job

According to OSHA, next to felling, skidding is the most dangerous part of a logging operation. Skidding hazards include moving equipment, moving and rolling logs, cable releases, cable-related cuts and punctures, and rollovers. Good communication and safe work practices must be followed to get the timber to the loading area safely. Follow these good management practices for skidding.

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Safety in Loading

| March 23, 2021

Forestry Good Management Practices 

When proper safety procedures and equipment are not used, workers in the logging industry are at a high risk of injury and death. National Traumatic Occupational Fatalities reported that 59 percent of all logging-related deaths occurred when workers were struck by falling or flying objects or were caught in or between objects. Good Management Practices are designed to help manage risks and keep loggers safe on the job. Here are some of our recommended good management practices for safety in loading logs.

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Forestry Good Management Practices

| February 2, 2021

Feller Buncher

The logging industry has been considered one of the most dangerous occupations in the United States. According to NIOSH, "In 2010, the logging industry employed 95,000 workers, and accounted for 70 deaths. This resulted in a fatality rate of 73.7 deaths per 100,000 workers that year." With hazards such as falling trees, rough terrain, tail swings, and logging equipment, workers often face significant risks.

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