Check out the Big Shot throw line launcher. It’s a slingshot for tree work.
Want to put a rope in a tree? It has to be in the right place in the tree and it can be difficult to get it there. Tired of throwing and throwing and not setting a line?
Warren Williams, Instructor at North American Training Solutions, demonstrates one in the video below. According to Warren, the Big Shot can launch lines up to 100 feet in tight places and, “It is pretty easy to learn how to use it, doesn’t take a ton of practice.”
It can be used with a standard throw weight and throw line system, or with the specially-designed bullet-style weights. The Big Shot throw line launcher is available from many different venders. It starts at about $125 and goes up – as they say, you get more if you pay more.
Do not think because an accident hasn’t happened to you that it can’t happen.
Starting a Chainsaw Safely
There are three safe and good options for starting a saw:
Put the saw on the ground, place your boot in the handle to stabilize the saw, then pull.
Put the saw on the ground, place your knee on top of it to stabilize the saw, then pull.
Pinch the saw handle in your legs to stabilize the saw, then pull.
You see a lot of folks using a drop start. That is when the chainsaw is held with one hand and the recoil rope with the other. Both arms are moving when the saw is started. This technique is not safe, OSHA will fine you, and you will need to replace the recoil rope frequently.
It is our goal to help you create a culture of safety in your workplace and we hope you have found this newsletter useful. There are some other great resource available to you.
The Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) also has some great resources you can use. Have you seen their Fatality & Near Miss Rescue Alerts? They come out on Monday. The email is a list of accidents and near misses related to tree care. It is clear, concise, and can provide much to talk about with your colleagues. It is also very easy to subscribe and to unsubscribe.
If you are on Facebook, you might want to check out and like dripline.net. It is an informal way to find out what is going on in the tree care industry. Accident reports, humorous stories, tree epidemics – anything and everything tree care – is here. Never a dull moment on this page!
Put your soul into your work, not your hand or foot:
Always carry the chainsaw with the bar pointed behind you, as shown above. If pointed forward, even when off, you could trip and fall on it. Be sure the hot muffler is located away from your body as you walk.
Engage the chain break any time you take a step with a running saw. Glenn Peroni of North American Training Solutions has demonstrated with one of his famous saw impersonations.
Hear the clicking as Glenn engages the chain break? Can you tell how many steps he is taking?
Always shut the chainsaw off before setting it down and before carrying it any distance. It is extremely dangerous to carry a chainsaw while the engine is running.
Let the chainsaw cool before you transport it. Use a scabbard or bar guard to cover the chain when carrying or transporting a saw. The scabbard will protect you and the saw.
Consider purchasing and using some type of carrying case for use during transit and long periods of storage. A case provides protection for you and your valuable equipment. It also makes a great place to store important maintenance instructions (owner’s manual) and tools required for daily maintenance like a bar wrench and a chain file for light sharpening or touch up! Plus, you look sharp.
So how many steps did Glenn Peroni take in his Saw Song Performance? If you guessed at least three, you would be correct.
Only three safety trainings left this year and the one in Columbus is full! Sign up quickly!
For one thing, you’re holding a tool that’s running at 11,000 RPM which means that there is potential for a ton of vibration that’s transferred to your hands and forearms. This may lead to numbness of your hands and fatigue on your arms and shoulders.
Plus, you’re working with an extremely sharp chain traveling at 55 MPH.
What are some characteristics of a good pair of gloves?
Gel padding in the palms to drastically reduce vibration.
Lined with cut-resistant DuPont Kevlar fiber to prevent minor cuts. They should be rated at Level 3 for cut resistance. (ANSI/ISEA 105-2005 Standard.
Snug fit. Get the right size to fit your hands.
Non-slip with breathable Spandex with goatskin or other materials that provide good control for your fingers and palms. Make sure the top of the glove is well made.
Knit wrist closure with Velcro keeps debris out and doesn’t get caught in things like chippers, saw tips, or sticks.
Machine washable if possible.
Why worry about boots?
You are on your feet for more than eight hours a day. Your ability to work efficiently is directly proportional to your foot comfort.
Protecting your feet in rough conditions should be a high priority.
What are characteristics of a good boot?
Correctly fitted to the size of your foot.
Lined with DuPont Kevlar for chain cut resistance (24m/sec chainsaw speed)
High abrasion resistance.
Steel shank for support.
Moisture repellent upper.
Pillow cushion inserts.
Steel, titanium or plastic toed boots. Titanium and plastic toed boots reduce the overall weight of the boot.
Do not think because an accident hasn’t happened to you that it can’t happen.
OSHA requires that chainsaw operators use chainsaw chaps or pants. This is a good thing!
Do you have reflexes faster than your saw’s chain? Maybe if you are superman. If not, and you aren’t wearing chainsaw pants or chaps when you operate your saw…well, there’s a sign for that.
The CDC reports, “Each year, approximately 36,000 people are treated in hospital emergency departments for injuries from using chain saws.” Saw cuts are ugly cuts.
Saw pants/chaps are made with several layers of cut retardant material, often Kevlar, that prevents a moving chain from cutting through it. Upon contact the chain and sprocket become filled with fibers which jam the chain against the bar, slowing or stopping the chain’s movement. This gives the operator extra reaction time. At that second, the investment you made will be so worth it. No blood, no ER visit, no bills, still wearing two boots.
Fasten all the buckles on chaps and keep them snug. They should cover the full length of the thigh to two inches below the top of the boot. Even better, to the insole.
If you use a saw daily, it is wise to invest in safety pants. They look good, fit well, and you will be sure to have them on if you need them. They cost a bit more, but the added comfort makes them worth it.
When your cool chaps or pants arrive, take time to thoroughly read and understand the manufacturer’s care and use instructions. Chaps and pants must be washed. They aren’t effective dirty. Some are machine washable in cold water, but they don’t like the dryer or chlorine bleach. Read the care guidelines and follow them.
If you cut your saw chaps/pants, you must replace them. One cut, you chuck!
Always keep your chaps/pants on when using your saw. They are worthless in the truck.
Guess what else? Chaps are sexy…right up there with hard hats, safety glasses, and ear plugs.
Chaps work! You want to watch this video….
Behold Chainsaw Proof Pants in Action
Want to see what happens when your saw cuts your chaps? DON’T TRY THIS AT HOME!!! AT WORK!!! Anywhere…
Do not think because an accident hasn’t happened to you that it can’t happen.
What happened when the tree feller didn’t wear his safety goggles?
He turned a blind eye to saw safety.
As the chainsaw blade bites into the tree, bark, wood chips, and tiny bits of the metal blade explode into the air. Your face and eyes are nice, soft targets for all this flying debris. While a faceguard with a mesh screen protects your face, it isn’t enough to protect your eyes from injury. Neither are eyeglasses or sunglasses. Flying objects can shatter the lenses of regular eyewear, increasing the chances of eye injury.
Safety glasses or goggles with side protection or wrap-around lenses deflect threats that come at the eyes from both the front and the side. There are safety glasses and goggles that fit over prescription eyewear. Alternatively, you can have safety eye wear made to your vision prescription, even if you wear bifocals.
Whether you wear prescription or off-the-shelf safety glasses, to make sure you can see clearly, select models that:
Resist fogging up
Resist scratches
Offer UV protection to minimize eye damage from UV light, and
Always inspect your faceguard and safety glasses before each use. Replace PPE that has weak or frayed straps, or cracks, chips, or damage to protective shields or lenses.
Your eyes face many dangers…
Threats to eyes and face from chainsaw use
Potential injuries to eyes and face from chainsaw use
Chainsaw kickback
Cuts, lacerations, loss of vision
Sawdust
Irritation, corneal scratches
Flying wood chips
Scratches, splinters, corneal abrasions, loss of vision
Flying metal particles from saw blade
Splinters, infection, granulomas, loss of vision
Twigs and branches
Scratches, punctures, corneal abrasions, loss of vision
Can’t find the perfect eyewear? Keep looking, there is a style and fit for everyone.
Every month, 23,000 people suffer from eye injuries. Don’t let anyone on your team be one of them.
You need hearing protection! Noise is measured in units called decibels (dB). A conversation is about 60 dB, a vacuum cleaner is about 70 db, a lawn mower is about 90 db, and a chainsaw runs at about 110 dB. OSHA regulations kick in at 85 db.
Hearing protection must be worn consistently to be effective, so pick a style that works for you and use it.
Hearing protection has a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR). The NRR is the decibel reduction provided by hearing protection. A saw operator needs an NRR of at least 26 dB to reduce the noise below 85 dB.
Don’t over protect. Select hearing protectors that provide adequate but not excessive protection for overall performance and effectiveness. You must be able to hear talking, loudspeaker transmissions, warning signals, and important machine sounds while reducing the risk of permanent hearing damage.
OSHA Standard Number: 1910.95 states that employers must develop, implement, and maintain an audiometric testing program. A baseline audiogram for new employees must be established within six months of employment, with an audiogram every year after that.
Check how old your ears are below.
How Old Are Your Ears? (Hearing Test)
Some hearing loss is a normal part of aging, but regular exposure of more than one minute to chainsaw noise can also cause hearing loss. So take this test and see how you are doing…
OSHA requires that a protective hard hat is worn whenever you are working in an area where there is potential for injury to the head from falling objects. For tree care workers that means every time you get out of the truck. Tree workers are often hit on the side of the head (as well as the top) and would benefit from a helmet with side protection.
Q&A
How do I know if I have a safe helmet?
Look on the inside of the helmet. It should have the manufacturer’s name or ID, the date of manufacture, the type and class of helmet, head size and ANSI Z89.1-2014, Z89.1-2009 or Z89.1-2003.
The ANSI numbers mean it has met all the safety requirements for helmets.
What are those other markings?
– The hard hat can be reversed, worn backwards or forward.
HV – The hard hat meets all testing requirements of the standard for high visibility colors.
LT – Low temperature use.
HT – High temperature use.
Can I wear a cap, scarf, or liner in cold weather under the helmet?
Only liners specified by the manufacturer can be used. Check with the manufacturer.
Can you put decals or spray paint the helmet?
Generally, decals are not a problem, but spray paint or adhesives may degrade the plastic or hide defects in the helmet. Again, check with manufacturer.
Do hard hats wear out?
YES! Check hats daily for cracks, dents, penetration, plastic chip flakes, discoloration, and chalky appearance. Look at the liner. If it’s worn or broken it should be replaced immediately.
If a big branch falls on me, I’m going to die anyway, why bother with a hard hat?
Small branches fall too, chippers spit out objects, climbers drop tools, your workplace is full of hazards. In 2012, more than 65,000 cases involving days away from work occurred due to head injuries in the workplace (2015 edition of the National Safety Council chartbook “Injury Facts”). That same year, 1,020 workers died from head injuries sustained on the job. Only 1 in 65 died from a head injury, the 64 others got hurt. Bet they’re glad they had their hard hats on!
No doubt about it, hard hats prevent injuries and save lives!
Should I wear a hard hat if there is no apparent danger?
Yes. Wear it every time you get out of the truck. In your work environment, unexpected hazards are the norm. Your hard hat will defend you from sudden dangers, when you don’t have the time or space to move out of the way.
Are hard hats considered sexy?
Definitely…
Why you should wear a hard hat cutting down a tree
Want to see what happens to tree care workers who don’t wear a hard hat? OUCH!!!! Nigel needs more PPE!
