Three times the injuries among occasional wood cutters compared to professional loggers: sample of emergency rooms in central and northern Wisconsin.
BACKGROUND
No reliable statistics exist for injury rates among occasional woodcutters as opposed to professional loggers. Study objectives were to assess woodcutting injuries seen in emergency rooms and identify risk factors.


METHODS
Individuals with woodcutting related injuries were identified in 14 emergency and urgent care departments in central and northern Wisconsin. A telephone survey was conducted within 3 weeks of presentation to determine number and types of injuries, causes, and characteristics of the injured.


RESULTS
Three times as many woodcutting-related injuries occurred in non-logger survey participants (54 vs. 17). There was no significant difference in age or type of injury. Loggers were more likely to wear personal protective equipment. Younger individuals attributed their accidents to human errors, whereas older individuals felt their injuries were unavoidable.


CONCLUSIONS
Occasional woodcutting activities result in comparable, but more frequent injuries than professional logging activities. Further data are needed to assess impact on public safety.
Fischer
Virginia
V
National Farm Medicine Center, Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation, Marshfield, Wisconsin 54449, USA. fischer.virginia@marshfieldclinic.org
Young
Nancy
N
Mueller
Cathy
C
Stueland
Dean T
DT
D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D016468:Forestry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011482:Protective Devices; D012307:Risk Factors; D014922:Wisconsin / Q000453:epidemiology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control