Lewis Logging LLC: OSHA inspections and violations

Incident on Aug 30, 2024 (fatal): Employee is killed when electrocuted by falling power line

At approximately 11:30 a.m. on August 30, 2024, Employee #1, a Skidder Operator, was filling the Skidder with fuel from the fuel service truck near an overhead line. The loader operator was retrieving dead wood, a process referred to as 'limbing,' to place on a tractor-trailer truck bed. As the loader operator was moving the elevated dead wood towards the bed of the truck, the top portion of the dead wood broke off and struck the bottom of the energized overhead power line. The energized overhead power line came down and contacted the arm of the skidder. The loader operator heard a loud noise and noticed Employee #1 was located under the Skidder. The loader operator turned off the loader and began rendering aid by applying water to Employee #1's arms. Coworkers assisted in rendering aid to Employee #1, and a coworker drove Employee #1 to a nearby hospital. Employee #1 died from the injuries due to a high-voltage electrocution.