Trees down, hazards abound: Observations and lessons from Hurricane Sandy

Ochsner, Michele; Marshall, Elizabeth G.; Lefkowitz, Daniel

doi:10.1002/ajim.22822

Cited by 6 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 12 publications

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“…While we are well-aware of the negative workforce impacts of the COVID-19 epidemic, where entire sectors of workers faced unemployment, crises can also lead to new business and employment patterns. Many recent weatherrelated disasters lead to an increase in recovery-oriented small business and labor contracting opportunities (Ochsner et al, 2018). However, these individuals and companies may not be wellprepared to protect themselves or their employees in the face of new hazardous environments.…”

Section: Findings Applying Twh To Employer Preparednessmentioning

confidence: 99%

Employer Preparedness: A Total Worker Health Conceptual Framework and Model

Roelofs¹

2020

Preprint

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Background: Recent disasters have demonstrated gaps in employers’ preparedness to protect employees and promote their well-being in the face of emergencies and disasters affecting the workplace and their communities. Total Worker Health (TWH), a comprehensive perspective developed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, is a helpful framework for addressing employer preparedness. It includes attention to health and safety at work, and the promotion of the health and well-being of the employee in the context of social determinants of health, such as work-life balance. Methods: TWH concepts, including the domains of TWH and the TWH Hierarchy of Controls, were investigated for their relevance to protecting employees and promoting their well-being during and after crises such as weather disasters, pandemics, and acts of terrorism. Building upon TWH concepts, an employer preparedness framework and model is proposed. Findings: The Model emphasizes upstream prevention, workplace-community linkages, social and economic impacts, and employer leadership through a cyclical planning process. Conclusions/Application to Practice: The Model can assist employers in advancing their preparedness for all hazards through self-assessment and planning agendas based upon the proposed domains.

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Section: Findings Applying Twh To Employer Preparednessmentioning

confidence: 99%

Employer Preparedness: A Total Worker Health Conceptual Framework and Model

Roelofs¹

2020

Preprint

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Occupational tree felling fatalities: 2010–2020

Michael

Gorucu

2021

American J Industrial Med

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Background: Logging and landscape work are among the most hazardous occupations, and one of the most dangerous tasks in these occupations is tree felling. While much research has been conducted to examine fatalities from logging and landscape services, there is a dearth of research looking specifically at tree felling. There is a need to focus on hazards associated with tree felling activities so that proactive prevention strategies can be developed.Methods: An Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) database was used to identify occupational tree-felling fatalities in the United States during the period from 2010 through the first half of 2020. We compared data for the two industry segments of logging and landscaping services.Results: There were 314 fatalities over the period. The victims were overwhelmingly male with the median age being 43. Struck-by was the number one event type causing fatalities, with the head being the number one body part involved in fatalities. Falls from elevation was the only event type significantly different between the logging and landscaping industries. Poor decision-making is noted as a key component of fatal incidents, but bystanders were fatally injured due to the actions of others.Conclusions: Tree felling is one of the most hazardous activities for both loggers and commercial landscapers and is a common cause of fatalities; significant differences in events and source are encountered in those two occupations. Loggers should continue efforts to adopt mechanized harvesting methods. Landscape services tree fellers should receive training related to fall prevention.

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