Rant and question

[4will]

I may be in the wrong area on this forum. If so someone please help me find the appropriate place for this. I just know this area has regular participation.

So my frustration, my neighbor is having the logs taken off of her land. No big deal other than I'm a little worried about her plan for cleaning the branches up.

ANYWAY, the "logger" is here working today. I walked out to look at what they were doing and noticed that there is an older guy operating a skid steer giving directions to the two younger guys. One is pretty much standing around and the other is operating the saw.

Both guys have the same PPE on -- running shorts and a T-shirt. :jawdrop:

I watched the saw operator for a minute to confirm this. No other PPE at all. Of course I don't ACTUALLY consider running shorts and t-shirt to actually be PPE.

What are the OSHA or other regulatory standards for this? Is there someone I can call and have them drive by? This is absurd.

 

[4will]

UPDATE
The other kid is now operating a second saw to assist in the limbing. He is wearing a pair of Jordans (Nike Air Jordans) that are not even laced up completely.

What the heck?

This just makes me furious. I haven't gotten a good enough look at either kid but I'm not even sure they're 18. If I'm not mistaken, in SC child labor prevents minors from operating power equipment (at least that's one of they reasons cited when the SC Fire Academy stopped letting kids under 18 participate in most of the training courses).

 

[hogjaws]

Dont know who you would call 4Will but I would'nt call them
" LOGGERS " more like HACKS.
Hope you dont have to witness an accident.

 

[4will]

Yeah, I guess I used the title logger a little loosely.

I don't know who regulates this industry that might have an interest in riding by.

I want to call my neighbor and ask her to confirm that they're bonded since they're asking for an accident.

Since I volunteer with the FD here I'm sure I'll be at the accident even if I don't get to see it happen. I hate being first on scene for medical calls. (not that I'm wishing injury on a young guy who clearly hasn't been taught correctly -- I do blame the fat guy operating the skid steer who is "in charge").

 

[ropensaddle]

UPDATE
The other kid is now operating a second saw to assist in the limbing. He is wearing a pair of Jordans (Nike Air Jordans) that are not even laced up completely.

What the heck?

This just makes me furious. I haven't gotten a good enough look at either kid but I'm not even sure they're 18. If I'm not mistaken, in SC child labor prevents minors from operating power equipment (at least that's one of they reasons cited when the SC Fire Academy stopped letting kids under 18 participate in most of the training courses).

Sounds like new guy and 2000
Them boys just never learn I tell ya, shame on ya thall working ya boys unsafe!

 

[ropensaddle]

Yeah, I guess I used the title logger a little loosely.

I don't know who regulates this industry that might have an interest in riding by.

I want to call my neighbor and ask her to confirm that they're bonded since they're asking for an accident.

Since I volunteer with the FD here I'm sure I'll be at the accident even if I don't get to see it happen. I hate being first on scene for medical calls. (not that I'm wishing injury on a young guy who clearly hasn't been taught correctly -- I do blame the fat guy operating the skid steer who is "in charge").

Seriously that is a shame but the guy on the skidder may be there dad
If your motives are for there safety then by all means do something I
would talk with guy on skidder and believe it or not he may not know
about ppe

 

[PA Plumber]

If you don't want to witness an accident, I would say "Don't Look!"

Family owned, and operated by family, businesses could be relieved of Certain Safety standards that would apply to a normal employer/employee relationship. I'm not saying this is an excuse for not being safe, it just might limit your pull with regulatory/enforcement institutions.

If it is bothering you a great deal, you could kindly talk to the "foreman." I would suggest at lunch/break time when they are shut down. Of course, be friendly, nice, and only suggestive.

You could even go out and buy some helmets, screens, ear plugs, and chaps for the fellas to use while they are working. Show the "foreman" that you have extra stuff they could borrow, if they would like.

I appreciate your concern, and as was suggested, the "Foreman" might not know any better.

Good Luck.

 

[joatmon]

Will,

I share your concern. I also know that many people in these parts don't take kindly to "correctin".

Good luck,

Jack

 

[Al Smith]

Well,common sense should dictate that the attire is not proper or safe.Then also ,common sense is not all that common.

 

[Log Splitter]

I sold some timber off my land this past spring. All the logging was done with a harvester, but the guys did drag out a saw to trim anything hanging off the log truck before it went to the mill. The owner of the business just about went nuts when one of the crew neglected to put his hard hat on before he started a saw. I've not heard a butt chewing that good since high school football practice 40 years ago.

It's a shame the crew you are watching does not understand safety and realize how fast a good day can go bad. I hope those kids stay safe.

 

[fuzzle]

Keep 911 on speed dial. When it happens, not if, they're going to need the fastest response time they can get.

 

[Urbicide]

Call OSHA immediately. Take pictures to document unsafe work practices.

 

[Urbicide]

I am wondering if they even have insurance. Your neighbor might end up being liable if they don't.

I was just curious as to what model saws they are running?opcorn:

 

[4will]

They are bonded. I talked to my neighbor today and she said that he did give her his insurance info a couple of weeks ago. She also said she didn't think the kids were not his. I'm willing to be that the black kid definately isn't his since he's fat and white.

You guys have a good point about approaching them and mentioning PPE. Ironically I was walking down to my shed to get my mower earlier and saw one of the kids trying to operate a saw and he had to stop to get something out of his eye.

:biggrinbounce2: I knew it was only a matter of time until one of you asked about the saws. I can only see them from a distance but mostly Husky with at least one Echo climbing style saw.

Of course I can't make too much fun of you, if they hadn't taken the saws with them to lunch I was going to go see what they were using

I think pictures and a phone call are a good suggestion. I'm going to see if I can figure out who to call around here. I like to stir a pot when I'm not involved.

 

[ropensaddle]

If you don't want to witness an accident, I would say "Don't Look!"

Family owned, and operated by family, businesses could be relieved of Certain Safety standards that would apply to a normal employer/employee relationship. I'm not saying this is an excuse for not being safe, it just might limit your pull with regulatory/enforcement institutions.

If it is bothering you a great deal, you could kindly talk to the "foreman." I would suggest at lunch/break time when they are shut down. Of course, be friendly, nice, and only suggestive.

You could even go out and buy some helmets, screens, ear plugs, and chaps for the fellas to use while they are working. Show the "foreman" that you have extra stuff they could borrow, if they would like.

I appreciate your concern, and as was suggested, the "Foreman" might not know any better.

Good Luck.

+1 good offer help much better than accusing.

 

[fubar2]

Why not just leave an anonymous note taped to the skidder?

 

[SteveH]

Sounds as if the three guys are all old enough to know better and therefore are doing it like this knowingly. Yes, one may cut off a leg, blow out an eye, rip up a face. Oh, well. I would hate for it to happen, but they've decided the risk is ok. I don't buy the idea that a teenager, if any of them are that young, doesn't understand safety. Bull. Fifteen yr. old kids know smoking can and often does lead to lung cancer and some of them go ahead and smoke. Whatever. If the older of the guys is forcing the younger ones to work without PPE, that's different. Doesn't sound as if that's the case here. It would drive me nuts, too, watching them, but there is a population problem on the planet, or I think so.

 

[GASoline71]

Call OSHA immediately. Take pictures to document unsafe work practices.

Screw that... what do you give a crap if they lose a leg.

I don't wear as much PPE as a lot of you guys... but know better not to cut in shorts... right Andy... LOL:hmm3grin2orange:

Everything the PPE Nazi's spew gets really old after awhile. Free country... if someone wants to cut buck nekkid... let 'em.

Gary

 

[Lou]

Screw that... what do you give a crap if they lose a leg.

I don't wear as much PPE as a lot of you guys... but know better not to cut in shorts... right Andy... LOL:hmm3grin2orange:

Everything the PPE Nazi's spew gets really old after awhile. Free country... if someone wants to cut buck nekkid... let 'em.

Gary

Gary thank you for providing a mental image that forces me to view some of Kevin's posts to remove... I OWE YA BUDDY!

Hold this spark plug for me while I turn over the engine; slowly.

 

[rreidnauer]

Sounds as if the three guys are all old enough to know better and therefore are doing it like this knowingly. Yes, one may cut off a leg, blow out an eye, rip up a face. Oh, well. I would hate for it to happen, but they've decided the risk is ok. I don't buy the idea that a teenager, if any of them are that young, doesn't understand safety. Bull. Fifteen yr. old kids know smoking can and often does lead to lung cancer and some of them go ahead and smoke. Whatever. If the older of the guys is forcing the younger ones to work without PPE, that's different. Doesn't sound as if that's the case here. It would drive me nuts, too, watching them, but there is a population problem on the planet, or I think so.

Ehhhhhhhhh, I don't think age plays a big part with chainsaw knowledge. People, especially anyone just getting into it, just really under-estimate the damage a chainsaw is capable of, and how quickly it can occur. If they never seen it go wrong, they just don't know any better. It's a simple case of ignorance. I almost wish there was video available that shows actually chainsaw accidents as they occur to really wake folks up.

But, at the same time, I agree with Gary. It should not be mandated that you must wear it, but it would be nice if folks saw what can happen, then make their decision between using or not using PPE.