Looks to avoid this Halloween!
Looks to avoid this Halloween
Freddy Krueger
Avoid this look by avoiding fuel spills. In 2023, a tree worker was severely burned when fuel leaked
from his chainsaw and ignited. We don’t mean to make light of this horrific injury, so let's be safe.
Advice:
- Inspect and maintain your saws, seals and caps on a regular basis.
- Carry out a visual and tactile check for leaks after refuelling a saw.
- Only use approved fuel containers.
Captain Hook
We have all seen far too many posts about injuries from one-handed chainsaw use. When do we
accept it’s not clever? It may be easier on some cuts and save time, but when it happens
to you, was it really worth it?
Advice:
- Learn and practice different methods of step cut.
- Use a non-motorised pruning saw for tip cuts.
- Use two rope systems alongside a positioning lanyard to give yourself a stable position to use
the saw with two hands.
- Use a webbing strop and zip line to remove the requirement to handle branch tips manually.
Headless Horseman
Cuts to the neck head and upper body are generally very severe or fatal.
Advice:
- Ensure the bar is long enough to cut through the tree stem, avoiding kickback.
- Check the rear of the stem for any pegs or stubs that might catch the tip of the saw blade.
- Make sure you have a steady and secure work position.
- Consider using a MEWP to give you a very stable platform to work from.
- Can the stem be felled instead of disked down?
- Ensure you have installed and practised a fast rescue system if the worst were to happen,
you need to be on the deck quickly.
Peg Leg
Through good training and PPE, fatal injuries to the lower leg have been reduced however, nothing
beats best practice.
Advice:
- Keep the work area clear of trip hazards, easier said than done, we know.
- Ensure you maintain best practice for holding and using a ground saw.
- Keep the chain well-maintained and tensioned correctly.
- Wear correct PPE: Chainsaw Trousers and Boots.
Jaws
No we don’t mean the James Bond villain we mean the bait used in the JAWS film! Wood chippers don’t mess about they are very good at what they do. We want safe chums not chum.
Advice:
- Avoid loose clothing and lose wristed gloves.
- Stand to the side of the chipper when feeding timber in
- Ensure the chipper is regularly serviced and in good working order
- Stop using it immediately if the start /stop safety bar is faulty.
Share this with your team...and Happy Halloweennnnnnnnnnn.
