Friday, November 11, 2011

Wood Chipper Safety - 3 Keys to Coaching Your Workers to assist Sustain a Zero Accident Workplace

By Darnell Jensen


Wood chippers are a very effective machine to utilize when chopping and destroying branches, removing brush and twigs, and turning these items into mulch. How does a wood chipper accomplish this? By chopping these items into tiny pieces by knives inside the machine. No doubt that the wood chipper is effective at its give job. What else is it efficient at? However it's also really efficient at causing injuries. From amputations to fatalities, the wood chipper can be a machine that needs coaching to operate it safely.

Here are the three keys to keep in mind when operating a wood chipper:

Crucial #1: Wear the appropriate individual protective equipment (PPE)

Wood chipper operators ought to wear gloves, ear plugs, hardhats, and safety glasses. These items will maintain eye, hand and hearing injuries to a minimum. Wood chippers are pretty loud once they are running. Further, they do spew out quite a bit of sawdust and debris which can get into the eyes. Wearing the correct PPE will assure a very first step towards safety when working with this equipment.

Important #2: Never ever tamper using the guards which are factory installed on the wood chipper

Quite a few personnel feel that the factory provided machine guards make their jobs harder. They really feel that the tree branches are too complicated to put through while the guard is in location. Clearly, that guard was put in place to make sure that body parts, particularly arms and fingers, do not finish up within the machine. Employers must strongly take into account disciplining staff who tamper with the machine guards.

Important #3: Give coaching and safety education to your workers at least annually

Ever year with no fail, your employees who use a wood chipper really should be supplied a refresher safety coaching on the use of the machine. This must contain visual instruction as well as a written test. You'll want to also ensure that attendance is created mandatory. Further, any new employee who's hired should be provided the coaching instantly upon hire, but certainly prior to they use the wood chipper.




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