The Lumberjacks of Yesterday are the Loggers of Today

 Today they’re called Loggers, but in earlier times before modern technology (e.g.  the chainsaw) a person who harvests lumber was called a Lumberjack.  Other words used to define this occupation are woodcutter, lumberman or on a more informal note, woodhick.  Logging has been linked with the mythical folklore of Paul Bunyan, the lumberjack who carried an axe and was accompanied by his companion Babe the Blue Ox.  Although Loggers are definitely a different breed of men there is nothing mythical about them.  They’re real, strong and brave.

The history of logging goes back to the early 1600’s and even then Loggers were a proud breed.  It’s not just a job for them but a way of life filled with passion, love and art.  It’s a profession of survivors with no fear and a strong sense of brotherhood.  There’s a freedom in being a Logger; no offices, no board rooms, no constraints – such is the frontier life. 

Logging is a big, complex industry.  The World Bank estimates that forest products are a $270 billion-a-year business and the need for everything from paper to building materials shows no sign of slowing down.  According to the Resource Conservation Alliance, global wood consumption is expected to rise by at least 20 percent by 2010 and by over 50 percent in 2050.

Although methods of logging have evolved, it is still considered one of the world’s most dangerous jobs. Chain saws and logging machines pose hazards wherever they are used. As loggers use their tools and equipment, they deal with massive weights and irresistible momentum of falling, rolling and sliding logs. The hazards are worse when dangerous environmental conditions are factored in such as uneven, unstable or rough terrain; inclement weather including rain, snow, lightning, winds and extreme cold; and remote isolated work sites where health care facilities are not immediately accessible.

Because logging is such a dangerous profession, the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration have strong safety standards. Personal protective equipment is designed to prevent or lessen the severity of injuries to loggers.

• head protection – hard hats
• eye & face protection – safety glasses, logger type mesh screens for chain saw operators
• hand protection – cotton gloves to protect against puncture wounds, cuts and lacerations
• leg protection – chaps, logger pants, leggings
• foot protection – heavy duty logging work boots that are waterproof and support the ankle

With reality shows like Ax Men on the History Channel, Extreme Loggers on the Discovery Channel and Heli-Loggers on TLC, the everyday Joe can now understand exactly what a Logger does.  The shows have made logging a household name and given us a glimpse into the lives of these amazing, dedicated and proud men and women who “breathe the woods” as a way of life.