Chipper Safety Guide

[Redbull]

After reading about another chipper death in the Injury/Fatality forum, I think we should compile a list of safety suggestions, similar to Butch's "Guide to being an excellent groundman". After it's all put together we could use it as a training tool for new and existing crew members. I use the groundmans guide for my new crew members and it works great because it applies to what we do on a daily basis. What do ya'll think?

 

[begleytree]

To what end? Just about anyone can run out and buy a chainsaw, far less running out to buy chippers.
I think your efforts would be better served by creating what you suggest, only about saw safety if you're really that bored.
-Ralph

 

[Redbull]

Has nothing to do with boredom. Has to do with teaching employees proper chipper safety. What was the point of detailing what is expected of a groundman? The same can be said for what is expected to operate a chipper safely.After reading about these fatalities, it seems like none of these people were properly trained on proper safety measures. Some people (and it seems quite a few in our line of work) lack common sense, so they need to be told that it's not okay to use your leg to push brush through the chipper. Begley, I think the same goes for chainsaw use. New saws come with safety manuals but sometimes they're lacking real world experience. It's just a suggestion. If anyone wants to put in their .02, great. If not, that's okay too.

 

[Redbull]

Also, this guide isn't meant for Joe Blow who rents a chipper and needs a safety manual. Ilt's meant for guys like us, new and old, who can share their experiences and come up with something to share with crew members about using equipment safely. I may be way off my rocker here, that's why I put it up for opinion.

 

[Jumper]

Didn't ISA put together a VHS tape on chipper operation and safety. That would be a good place to start....

Getting people to read and actually obey the suggestions put forth therein is another issue altogether.

 

[Redbull]

You're right. None compliance leads to termination or death/serious injury though. It's that simple.

 

[Proj Eng]

I think one major process I have learned is instead of jamming it through or forcing it, try reversing, then rotating the piece clockwise or counter-clockwise. I have found this to work better on smaller machines than larger ones.
A push stick is a big help (and keeps you clear of the feed area).
What also might help is not pressuring the workers to be "as efficient as possible". High productivity is nice but not at the expense of injury.

2 minutes of searching produced the following:
Here's a start...for the newbies (renters)

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hid8.html

http://www.jmu.edu/safetyplan/facilmgmt/trainingoutlines/chipper.shtml

http://www.larrysrentall.com/pdf/operator_instructions/instructional_safety_sheets_brush_chipper.pdf

http://www.gov.mb.ca/labour/safety/woodchipper.html

 

[Redbull]

Thanks for the links.

 

[TreeJunkie]

1. Wear proper safety equipment.(Hard hat (w/ chin strap), safety glasses, ear protection, gloves(recommended))
2. Do not feed chipper with your feet.
3. feed chipper from the side of the feed table
4. Do not wear loose baggy clothing which could become entangled in brush.
5. Do not wear gaunlet style gloves while feeding the chipper
6. Do not wear rings, chains or other loose jewelery which could be caght in the brush.

Lots more stuff but thats the easier things.

 

[bottlefed89]

TJ, empty your pm box.

 

[Jumper]

How about a clip from Fargo? As I recall that was a little bitty chipper, so think what a bigger one would do?

Some other suggestions:


Ensure locking mechanism is engaged (if applicable) before working on machine.
Clean rad screen daily.
Chock chipper when unhooking from vehicle at job site.
Daily check of brake, turn signal and low vis lights.
Make sure chains are not dragging on road when chip truck box is heavily loaded.
Plug in block heater if so equiped on cold nights.
Check hydraulic fluid regularily both for level and contamination
Check tires for uneven or severe wear
Engage clutch as per manufacturer's instructions
Keep people out of/away from chip truck box when chipper is running, even if you are not feeding wood.
Aside from being aware of traffic above, be aware of pedestrians and a variety of curious onlookers, including but not restricted to the client, children, other homeowners and residents (some of whom may only want a biz card)
Use traffic cones when chipper is in use on the street.
Use caution when feeding logs-I have had one spring up and try to crush my fingers as it fed thru the rollers more than once
Make sure all new personnel know about the feed emergency stop-dead man's bar whatever
Approach feed table from side, and not the one in the traffic
Use hi vis clothes if working in traffic
Don't care how hot it is, suggest use of long pants, long sleeve shirts and work boots. Look professional. nothing worrse than seeing people in shorts, wife beater shirts and Nikes working at being groundpersons. Remove long sleeves when done-your arms will thank you.
Some tables are capable of smashing fingers when you close them, and also when opening releasing catches-user beware.

 

[Stumper]

Never place body parts in the infeed chute-unless they are completely frozen.

 

[puwer]

http://www.fcauk.com/afagguides.htm

Complete list of safety guides/best practice information for Uk arbs.

 

[TreeJunkie]

TJ, empty your pm box.

Done

 

[RedlineIt]

Redbull,

After reading about another chipper death in the Injury/Fatality forum, I think we should compile a list of safety suggestions, similar to Butch's "Guide to being an excellent groundman".

I think this is a great idea, and kudos to those who have responded with appropriate safety tips and links.

Some tips of my own:

You've staged brush for an hour before cranking up the chipper, take a peek into the chip box first, you don't know what or who may have crawled in there!

If your chipper is attached to a boom truck, make it a habit to swing the chipper chute into the reversed position and lock it down before leaving the jobsite. The next driveway might have a steep grade-change, resulting in boom-tail / chipper-chute contact! Not good for the the chipper-chute, and definitely not good for the boom, which I have to bet my life on.

--------------------------------


And now one I continue to work with (struggle with/ ????? about) with my employers:

Every chipper manual says: No loose clothing.

No brainer. Loose clothing + Feeding chipper = Chance for fatality.

Roadside safety regulations require the use of hi-vis reflective vests.

Hi-vis reflective vests = Loose clothing.

Offered solution: Hi-vis T shirts. Nope. You have to wear company togs.

Offered solution: 5 way tear-away vests, designed for roadside use around moving equipment. Nope. "They don't work anyway." What do you mean, it is what they were designed for. "The velcro won't break away." Bull, of couse it will. "We're not buying them, too expensive." Then I'm not wearing what you've got. "You'd better" So fire me. (They won't)


Where do I find an employer that actually gives a crap about safety, beyond what it costs their bottom-line?

 

[stihlatit]

How strong is your legislated safety laws in BC or did Campbell gut that too.

 

[PTS]

Redbull, I am with you on this. I think you have a great idea here. I have something on this topic that I put together in my Safety Guideline Manual but it is at the Shop. I will pull it out tomorrow and put my two cents in. After this is compiled we should also put it on the Arborist 101

 

[Redbull]

Sounds good. I look forward to your input. I'm curious, how many of you employers out there have safety manuals and how many have them and use them. Lets be honest here. I don't have one, thats why I'm looking for ideas.

 

[bottlefed89]

I don't have one. I basically work with someone new until I am comfortable having them do a job by themselves. A formal guide would be much better, when I get home sometimes I think of things I'd wish I'd told a new guy, only to forget them before the next day. Would defenitely help you make sure you didn't overlook what may be obvious to you, but not to a newbie in the industry.
I have worked for company that basically introduced me to the crew, and sent us off. And that was a company much bigger than I'll ever be.

 

[kennertree]

Always be aware of things that can get tangled in the brush as you are feeding it in the chipper. If a climbing rope gets caught on the brush and it pulls it into the chipper it could be a problem.