| Wood chippers are a very efficient machine to | | | | Key #2: Never tamper with the guards that are |
| use when chopping and destroying branches, | | | | factory installed on the wood chipper |
| removing brush and twigs, and turning these | | | | Many employees feel that the factory provided |
| items into mulch. How does a wood chipper | | | | machine guards make their jobs harder. They feel |
| accomplish this? By chopping these items into tiny | | | | that the tree branches are too difficult to put |
| pieces by knives within the machine. No doubt | | | | through while the guard is in place. Obviously, that |
| that the wood chipper is efficient at its give job. | | | | guard was put in place to ensure that body parts, |
| What else is it efficient at? Unfortunately it is also | | | | specifically arms and fingers, do not end up in the |
| very efficient at causing injuries. From | | | | machine. Employers should strongly consider |
| amputations to fatalities, the wood chipper is a | | | | disciplining employees who tamper with the |
| machine that requires training to operate it safely. | | | | machine guards. |
| Here are the three keys to keep in mind when | | | | Key #3: Give training and safety education to |
| operating a wood chipper: | | | | your employees at least annually |
| Key #1: Wear the proper personal protective | | | | Ever year without fail, your employees who use a |
| equipment (PPE) | | | | wood chipper should be provided a refresher |
| Wood chipper operators should wear gloves, ear | | | | safety training on the use of the machine. This |
| plugs, hardhats, and safety glasses. These items | | | | should include visual instruction and a written test. |
| will keep eye, hand and hearing injuries to a | | | | You should also ensure that attendance is made |
| minimum. Wood chippers are very loud when they | | | | mandatory. Further, any new employee who is |
| are running. Further, they do spew out quite a bit | | | | hired should be provided the training immediately |
| of sawdust and debris that can get into the eyes. | | | | upon hire, but certainly before they use the wood |
| Wearing the proper PPE will ensure a first step | | | | chipper. |
| towards safety while using this equipment. | | | | |