US Forest Service
Struck by swinging or slipping object, other than handheld, n.e.c. - Internal injuries to organs and blood vessels of the trunk - PAGOSA SPRINGS, Colorado
| Employer | US Forest Service |
| Address | 180 Pagosa Street |
| City, State ZIP | PAGOSA SPRINGS, Colorado 81147 |
| Report ID | 2023065535 |
| Event Date | June 22, 2023 |
| Outcome | Hospitalized |
| Nature of Injury | Internal injuries to organs and blood vessels of the trunk |
| Body Part | Chest, except internal location of diseases or disorders |
| Event Type | Struck by swinging or slipping object, other than handheld, n.e.c. |
| Source of Injury | Trees |
| Industry (NAICS) | 115310 |
| GPS Coordinates | 37.26909, -107.00485 |
Location Map
Incident Narrative
On June 22, 2023, a crew was hiking and clearing trails while heading to an avalanche area to remove trees. The crew came across a tree that was 10-inches in diameter and suspended above ground across the trail. The injured employee used a hand saw to cut the tree. The tree was tangled with another tree, causing it to kick up and strike the injured employee. She fell to the ground and became pinned to a log, resulting in a puncture wound to the leg and lung damage that required hospitalization.
Incident Summary
On June 22, 2023, a worker at US Forest Service in PAGOSA SPRINGS, Colorado suffered internal injuries to organs and blood vessels of the trunk to the chest, except internal location of diseases or disorders. The incident was classified as struck by swinging or slipping object, other than handheld, n.e.c., with trees identified as the source of injury. The worker was hospitalized.
Context
OSHA has recorded 581 severe injury reports involving "Struck by swinging or slipping object, other than handheld, n.e.c." incidents in our database. Browse all Struck by swinging or slipping object, other than handheld, n.e.c. injuries.
Similar Incidents
Other severe injury reports involving Struck by swinging or slipping object, other than handheld, n.e.c. events:
| Date | Employer | Location | Nature | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 31, 2015 | U.S. Postal Service | DEMING, New Mexico | Traumatic injuries and disorders, unspecified | Hosp. |
| May 11, 2022 | King Fabrication, LLC | HOUSTON, Texas | Cuts, lacerations | Hosp. |
| Dec 11, 2015 | Patterson UTI Drilling | LEWISVILLE, Ohio | Soreness, pain, hurt-nonspecified injury | Hosp. |
| Oct 16, 2016 | Edge Services, Inc. | WATONGA, Oklahoma | Fractures | Hosp. |
| Sep 7, 2019 | Johns Scrap Metal | WILLIMANTIC, Connecticut | Intracranial injuries, unspecified | Hosp. |
| Dec 3, 2019 | Atlas Tube, LLC | BLYTHEVILLE, Arkansas | Fractures | Hosp. |
| Dec 5, 2017 | Henkels & McCoy, Inc. | ELIZABETH, New Jersey | Cuts, lacerations | Hosp. |
| May 13, 2015 | Precision Drilling | ALMA, West Virginia | Soreness, pain, hurt-nonspecified injury | Hosp. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Workers injured on the job have the right to medical treatment covered by workers' compensation, wage replacement benefits during recovery, and protection against retaliation for reporting the injury. You have the right to file a complaint with OSHA if you believe your workplace is unsafe, and OSHA cannot reveal your identity to your employer without your consent. You also have the right to see your OSHA 300 injury log. If your employer denies a workers' comp claim, you can appeal through your state's workers' compensation board. An occupational health attorney can advise on complex cases involving denied claims or third-party liability.
After an employer reports a severe injury, OSHA decides whether to conduct an on-site inspection. Fatalities and amputations typically trigger automatic inspections. For hospitalizations and eye loss events, OSHA may conduct a phone/fax investigation or an on-site inspection based on the circumstances. During an inspection, OSHA compliance officers assess the accident scene, interview witnesses, review safety records, and identify violations. Citations and penalties may be issued. OSHA also works with the employer to abate hazardous conditions. All inspection results are published in OSHA's public inspection database at osha.gov.
You can file an OSHA complaint online at osha.gov/workers/file-complaint, by calling 1-800-321-OSHA (1-800-321-6742), or by visiting your local OSHA area office. Complaints can be filed anonymously. OSHA prioritizes formal written complaints from workers. If you believe an imminent danger exists, call OSHA immediately, they are required to investigate immediately when there is reasonable grounds to believe imminent danger exists. Workers are protected from retaliation for filing complaints under Section 11(c) of the OSH Act; if you experience retaliation, file a separate complaint within 30 days of the adverse action.
About This OSHA Report
This is a severe injury report filed with OSHA. Employers are required to report all work-related fatalities and severe injuries within 8 to 24 hours. Browse more reports by employer, state, or industry below.