Bootcamp
Two weeks of classroom and yard training: felling theory, rigging, machine safety, communications and emergency response — before going to a live site.
Everyone goes
home. Every day.
Logging is one of the most hazardous trades there is. We treat that fact with respect — and build our entire operation around it.
0Lost-time incidents in 2025
1M+Consecutive hours worked safely
120Training hours for every new hire
100%Of crew first-aid & CPR certified
Our philosophy
Safety is a right, not a rule
Every crew member — from first-week choker setter to company president — has the authority and the obligation to stop work if something doesn't look right. No explanation, no penalty.
- Daily tailgate briefings before the first saw starts
- Written job-hazard analysis for every harvest unit
- Monthly near-miss reviews shared with the whole company
- Safety bonuses based on team results, never on production
Training
Skills before saws
Nobody operates equipment on a live site until they've proven they can do it safely.
Mentorship
Every new hire works alongside a veteran mentor for 90 days, with written skill sign-offs at each stage before they work independently.
Annual recertification
Chainsaw, first-aid, defensive driving and rescue drills are refreshed every year — with surprise emergency drills in the field.
Gear
Protective equipment, non-negotiable
Provided, fitted and replaced by Ridgeback at no cost to the crew. If it's worn out, it's gone.
- Class E hard hat with face shield
- Hearing protection
- Cut-resistant chainsaw trousers
- Steel-toe, cut-resistant boots
- Hi-vis outerwear
- Satellite communicator & trauma kit
Compliance
Licences, insurance & audits
| Programme | Coverage | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Contractor licence & bonding | Oregon construction & forest operator licensing | Renewed annually |
| General & auto liability | $10M umbrella cover for all operations | Certificate on request |
| Workers' compensation | All employees and contract crews | Audited annually |
| OSHA logging standard | Equipment, felling, rigging and transport | Internal audit quarterly |
| Environmental compliance | Stream, soil and slash rules | Each harvest unit |
| Commercial driver programme | CDL, hours-of-service and vehicle inspections | Daily / monthly |
If something goes wrong
Our emergency response plan
Every site has a printed plan, GPS pin and extraction route before work begins.
Stop & secure
All machines shut down; area made safe for responders.
Call & locate
911 first, then site lead with GPS coordinates and landmark.
First aid
Certified responders begin treatment with on-site trauma kits.
Review
Findings shared company-wide within 48 hours to prevent repeats.
Need our safety documentation?
Insurance certificates, safety manuals and site-specific plans are available to project owners on request.