Safety and the Chain Saw

Safety must be practiced at all times, on the job as well as off the job. If a person is hurt or laid-up it is going to affect the job he is to do. We must continually be reminded of our safety obligations to ourselves as well as our fellow man.

Chain saws are a time-saving tool when properly maintained and used. If not they can be one of the most costly pieces of equipment you own. The USDA Forest Service has long had a safety program for all facets of work projects and tool handling. Now OSHA says everyone, employee as well as employer, must conform to their safety programs. The people who will have the biggest problem conforming to the new standards are the more experienced employees and the older employees who say, “I have been doing it this way for years and never have had trouble and I’m not about to change now.”

In some instances, having safety equipment can or may be more hazardous than not having it. It is usually better to have protection than not have it. In most cases, people can and will get used to wearing their particular protection and not mind it.

What price should be put on safety? Many foremen and/or employers say I can’t afford this protection. The loss of a limb or crippling accident or even death is also expensive. Remember, a loss may hurt you or one of your loved ones.

Chain saw companies put out safety films and many industrial companies have for loan, or nominal fee, such films. Use them. Chain saw safety starts with the individual running the saw and man is probably the weakest link in the safety chain.

Provide a properly adjusted and running saw, and head, ear, and hand, and leg protection. These items must fit properly and comfortably for the individual. Poor fitting equipment in itself is a hazard. These items should be tailored for the job as well as for the person wearing them.

In summarizing, accidents will, do, and can happen anytime. The idea of a safety program is to cut down on the severity and number of accidents. The better the attitude of the organization on safety, the better the safety record of that organization. D.W. West, White Mountain National Forest, Conway, New Hampshire.

• © 1978, International Society of Arboriculture. All rights reserved.