Chipper Safety Guide

[PTS]

After an employee broke a finger loading the chipper incorrectly, I really started emphasizing the importance of safety while using it. I think I scared half of my guys.

The safety manual I have was stolen from about 6-10 different places. I collected a bunch of them, highlighted what I liked and then combined them into one. I give one to every employee when they are hired. They sign that they have received one and will familiarize themselves with it and follow it.

Does several things. Tells the employee what you expect, gives you grounds for discipline if there were to be a need and helps cover your tail if there is an accident. And my insurance company really liked it. I'll try to remember to bring a copy down. It is a book.

 

[bottlefed89]

I wondered if a safety manual could cover you in an accident if the worker wasn't following your specified procedures.

 

[PTS]

Someone on AS gave me the idea of calling it a guideline as apposed to policy procedure manual so that if an accident occurred and the manual wasn't followed to a T then there could be problems but if a guideline was in place it allows room to wiggle because every situation may be different.

I would say it covers you the owner somewhat as far as lawsuits from the employee who screws up but if the homeowner is victim to not following guidelines and comes after you, bend over. But if an employee gets hurt your workman's comp will still have to pay but for the employee to file suit against the company I don't think they would have much to stand on.

 

[notahacker]

#1: Keep one hand on the feed mechinism at all times. This will contol the RPM's on the chipper and allow you to hit reverse if you get snagged.
#2: Don't keep your hands on logs while chipping. Sometimes the feed mechinism will pop the log into the hopper. If your hand is there you will get it crushed. (I learned that by experience the first day of chipping.)
#3: Don't use the hopper door as a work bench to work on chainsaws. If you forget your wrench, it may go through the chipper.

#4: "Don't get yourself killed, it's too much paper work." (My first foreman in the tree industry told me that one).

 

[Dadatwins]

Similiar to a sign I saw on a charter fishing boat a few years ago above the 'head' with an arrow pointing down "If you did not eat it first it does not belong in here"
Put one on the chipper feed table, " if it did not grow out of the ground it does not belong here"