Forest Operations > Operational Hazards > Falling Objects

Falling Objects

Working in the forest can be hazardous, particularly in relation to falling objects. While the operator is in a machine, they are protected from falling objects by the falling object protection structure (FOPS) built into the cabin.

However, when a person leaves the safety of a machine cabin or work vehicle, they expose themselves to falling objects and must wear a hard hat at all times in open work areas, particularly when under the canopy of the forest.

Table 13 provides some examples of potential falling object hazards.

Examples of Falling Object Hazards

 

Falling Object Hazard	Description
Widow makers	Broken branches that are left hanging in other standing trees before falling without warning (Fig 23).
Pine cones or other forest debris	Small material caught up in the forest canopy can fall without warning and can be hazardous if falling from a great height.
Logs from the top of loads	When trucks are being loaded or unloaded, logs may roll from the top of the load.
Maintenance tools placed in high areas	Small hand tools that are left in high places following maintenance activities which can then fall when the machine starts moving.

Table 13

Fig 23 The broken branch, commonly known as a widow maker,
can cause serious injury or even death if it falls and hits a person.