3 Workers Killed When Caught in Lumber Debarking Machine

Three lumber workers were killed when they were caught inside a large debarking machine, apparently while trying to unjam it, authorities said Wednesday.

It was not immediately known when the accident at Pacific Lumber Co. occurred. It was discovered early Wednesday morning by a truck driver who noticed a lack of activity in the mill, the company said.

“The search of the plant resulted in the discovery of the victims,” said Pacific Lumber spokeswoman Mary Bullwinkel. The debarking machine is a large rotating drum that strips the bark off trees, she said.

The company flew its American and state flags at half staff and shut the sawmills for the rest of the day to give workers time to cope with the loss, Bullwinkel said. The small plant is part of Pacific Lumber’s extensive mill complex in Scotia, about 30 miles south of Eureka.

“Scotia’s a small town--everybody knows everybody. These men were known and well-liked,” she said.

The Humboldt County coroner may not make a positive identification until today, Bullwinkel said, and the names will not be released until then.

The accident is being investigated by the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, Humboldt County sheriff’s office and county coroner, as well as company safety officials.

When the debarker jams, workers must stop the machine and lock it, then go inside with chain saws and cut away the jam, said Richard Stephens, a spokesman for Cal/OSHA in San Francisco.

“What looked like what happened is . . . for some reason the machine started up again with them inside it,” said Stephens.