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News / Northwest

Fatality changed rules for WA DNR forest employees

The Columbian
Published: July 31, 2011, 5:00pm

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The state Department of Natural Resources says it’s changing training and procedures for employees who work alone to improve safety after the death of forest worker while clearing weeds near Forks.

Spokesman Bryan Flint says it made some changes after the death in February of Sam Gaydeski of Beaver who was accidentally killed by the blade of his brush cutter.

Flint says the department is making other changes to address safety violations identified by a Department of Labor & Industries investigation. The citation announced last week proposes a fine of nearly $17,000.

The violations included not checking on employees working alone or having them check in at the end of the day. Gaydeski wasn’t found until nearly three hours after the end of his shift.

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