Common Tree Felling Accidents and What You Can Do to Prevent Them

Common Tree Cutting Accidents and What You Can Do to Prevent Them Unfortunately,

tree

cutting

accidents

are quite

common

. Many accident videos are available on YouTube. They are sometimes considered funny, but to anyone who values ​​life and limb, they are anything but funny. Accidents happen, but fortunately, the use of professional protective equipment (PPE), good technique, and attention to detail can greatly reduce their occurrence and the injuries they cause. The importance of PPE can never be underestimated. Protection of the head, ears, eyes, legs and feet is mandatory. Never, under any circumstances, should a chainsaw be used without

them

.

A good pair of gloves is also highly recommended. Operating a saw without PPE harms the individual, management and the company. It also violates OSHA and ANSI regulations. No excuse is accepted for not using PPE. Kickback Probably the most

common

cause of

accidents

is kickback. Kickback occurs when the top quarter of the saw blade, also known as the kickback zone, comes into contact with a solid object (wood or metal). Because the chain runs down the edge of the saw bar in the kickback zone, the depth gauge is lower than it should be in relation to the tooth.

The saw literally bites off more than it can chew, stopping or slowing down the chain. The result is a rotational force that throws the bar back toward the operator. Kickback can also occur when the bar becomes trapped by the

tree

being cut (pinch kickback). If the chain gets caught on the top of the bar, the saw will be pushed back toward the operator; If caught on the bottom of the bar, the reaction pulls the saw forward and can cause the operator to fall onto the saw. What can you do to

prevent

Kickback? Hold the saw with both hands, with your thumbs wrapped tightly.

Place one hand on the rear handle and the other on the front handle. Make sure you have a firm footing before you start sawing. Stand next to the chainsaw's cutting path. Position yourself so that you are not close to the bar and chain when the saw is running. Know where the tip of the bar is at all times. Do not allow it to touch logs, branches or the ground when the saw is in operation. Cut only one piece of wood at a time, never two branches at a time. Run the saw at full power when cutting to help

prevent

kickback.

Barber chair The barber chair occurs when the force pulling the log forward is large enough to split the log, but not large enough to cause the hinge to fold. It is often caused by heavy trees leaning forward. It can also occur by applying too much force to a rope while pulling the tree using a mechanical advantage. The bottom of the tree goes up and the top goes down (like a barber chair, feet up and head down). Workers can be hit by the log as it rises or crushed when it falls. What can you do to avoid being hit by a barber chair?

Have your escape route planned in advance. It should be away from the tree at an angle of 45 degrees from the direction of the tree's fall. Make sure the escape route is clear. Change the direction of fall to avoid excessive forward lean. Be careful with your

felling

cuts and regardless of the type of notch you cut, correct any undercuts or drifts before making the back cut or drill cut. Make sure the chain is sharp and the saw is working properly; This will reduce the time the wood is under tension. An open notch, followed by a cut in the tree to create the hinge, reduces the chance of being injured by a barber chair.

With this technique, the tree fibers in the trunk are less likely to be pulled to the breaking point. Other techniques require the operator to stand next to the tree, cutting more parts of the hinge as the tree begins to fall. This puts the operator in a very dangerous position, just behind the tree, in case a barber chair occurs. Entanglement occurs when a tree being felled hits the branches or trunk of another tree. Change the direction of the fall or hang the tree, leaving a dangerous overhead hazard. The best solution to entanglement is to avoid it. It can be avoided by implementing the five-step logging plan.

First, identify the height, hazards and slope. Then make sure you have the necessary equipment. Plan and clear your escape route. Cut the notch in the tree and finally make a hole or back cut and use the escape route. If a tree is hanging from another tree, the best option is to pull it up with ropes. Other techniques should only be implemented by highly experienced professionals. During storms, trees can become entangled in utility lines. In this case, do nothing, wait for the utility company to arrive and declare the situation safe before attempting to free the tree. Kickback Kickback occurs when the tree kicks back during the drill cut or backcut, pinching the chainsaw.

In extreme cases, the tree may fall on the feller. Backsliding occurs when a tree has its back bent. Once again, applying the five-step logging plan will prevent any mishaps. The lean mixture must be identified before making any cuts. If the tree has a leaning back, you will need wedges or rope. Remember, if you do not have the equipment on hand and working, do not cut the tree. Placing a wedge in any tree you are

felling

is good practice and will prevent mishaps. Stump Hopping Stump hopping occurs when the hinge fails and the tree breaks away from the stump.

At this point, the tree is in free fall and completely out of control. The tree may jump over the feller or the trunk may hit the feller. The hinge can fail when the notch is too deep, the notch angle is 45 degrees or less, or the back cut is too high. This accident is much less likely if an open notch (70-90 degrees) and perforated cut is used. Again, your best protection is rigorous application of the five-step logging plan. The escape route must be identified and cleared before cutting. When the tree begins to move, workers should move along the escape route and not near the dislodged tree.

Spring Post Wood under tension is always potentially dangerous. A relatively small branch or trunk can cause great damage. A snapping post occurs when a tree or branch is under great tension and the chainsaw operator cuts through the wood, resulting in a violent release of energy. The operator may be struck by the trunk, a limb, or a chainsaw. This usually occurs during limbing and bucking, but not exclusively; It can also occur in the canopy with storm damage. A tree or branch with an arc or sweep will store energy, ready to be released when cut. There are two cutting methods that will safely release tension in a spring post.

First, identify the compression and tension side of the wood. Never cut on the tension side. Next, look for the point of maximum tension. Mentally draw a line along the trunk of the tree and a right-angled line from the top of the arch to the trunk line. Divide those lines in two with another line at a 45-degree angle. That is the point of maximum tension. The concertina cut is a series of small raised cuts made on the compressed side of the tree opposite the point of maximum stress. This can be a useful cut for people of short stature because it is made below the branch.

The shave cut will also release tension. This is also done at the point of maximum tension. One layer is shaved at a time until the branch relaxes, releasing all tension. We have covered the most common accidents that can occur during tree removal, but this list of accidents is not exhaustive. Your best defense is training, education and great awareness of your environment. Cut smart, cut safe!