Accident Prevention

The entry point into tree work is often the hard, menial work in the brush-dragging ground crew. Those that hang around (often because of a lack of other options, or they're attracted to dangerous, destructive activities) end up with chainsaws in their hands and eventually doing a lot more dangerous stuff, sometimes directing a crew. Not a lot of naturally cautious, educated, talented folks entering our line of work.
 
monkeylove said:
Wow you are young, I think minimum wage was around $3.25 when I turned 18.
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LOL! When I was a junior in high school I started out at $1.25 per hour, washing and painting boats in the local boat yard during the summer. But I think my purchasing power was a lot greater at that wage than somebody who makes $30 per hour now. So I can see why it is really hard to get and keep good people at minimum wage.
 
ARLO said:
LOL! When I was a junior in high school I started out at $1.25 per hour, washing and painting boats in the local boat yard during the summer. But I think my purchasing power was a lot greater at that wage than somebody who makes $30 per hour now. So I can see why it is really hard to get and keep good people at minimum wage.
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So true, I had way more beer money when I was in high school than I do now. Of course I had rules back then too, lol.
 
My first taxable job was cleaning the shitters at the route 78 truck stop in NJ. I was promoted to pumping diesel until I filled the hydro tank with diesel then I went over to the car island. I remember carrying the huge wad of cash around. I started cutting grass at 13. A big lawn was $20 a week.
 
monkeylove said:
Wow you are young, I think minimum wage was around $3.25 when I turned 18.
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My first tree job the owner gave me 5.50 because he was trying to get me away from the hardware store that was paying me minimum wage at 5.25. And I didn't mention before I got the job I work for the company for 2 weeks for free through in externship program in my high school. Sweet gig, just got old fast with the owners/salesman lack of understanding of what it takes to do the job!
 
erik smith said:
I want to apologize to all for my horrible potty mouth! Clearly this is not the right place for a grumpy, opinionated old-schooler, so I will leave you all with the point I have been trying to make. When it comes to safety, SKILL IS KING. When you are labeled "highly skilled" it is obviously implied that you are safe. All the PPE, latest safety report pie charts, OSHA, ANSI is no doubt helpful, but it ain't gonna save you. Being highly skilled, and working with highly skills people is the single most powerful tool in the prevention of injury.
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There's absolutely a place here for you.

I won't tell you to not be an asshole, just perhaps not a combative asshole...
:birra:
 
erik smith said:
I want to apologize to all for my horrible potty mouth! Clearly this is not the right place for a grumpy, opinionated old-schooler, so I will leave you all with the point I have been trying to make. When it comes to safety, SKILL IS KING. When you are labeled "highly skilled" it is obviously implied that you are safe. All the PPE, latest safety report pie charts, OSHA, ANSI is no doubt helpful, but it ain't gonna save you. Being highly skilled, and working with highly skills people is the single most powerful tool in the prevention of injury.
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You keep missing the point. The stat is clear. 41 yr old veterans get hurt as much or more than younger workers. Period. Are they "skilled"? They would claim to be. While you can work in your silo the rest of the industry has to look at the bigger picture and that includes all the unskilled labor and those who have 10, 20, 30 yrs of repeating their first year.

Yes, an emphatic yes, we need to be doing a better job of training and developing people who venture into the business. That includes PPE and does not suggest that simply throwing it on someone passes as training.
 
Just one example. I have been climbing for much of my adult life. Although I would never claim to be the most skilled climber at any particular discipline, I think I am fairly competent, albeit pretty slow. Not too long ago I was demonstrating the use of the Bulldog Bone to a class. I was in a hurry because it was near the end of the class and I wanted to finish the demo before we quit for the day. I strapped on my foot ascender and my SAKA and showed them how to install the BDB on the rope. Then, I attached the tender over my shoulder and to the BDB. I headed up the rope. When I got about 10' up the rope, one of the other instructors said "Aren't you supposed to attach that thing to your saddle?" I looked down, and sure as shit, I had not clipped the BDB to my saddle. Pretty embarrassing, and could have been lethal if somebody had not pointed it out. The point is that those of us who think we are "skilled" can easily get in a hurry and make stupid mistakes.
 
treehumper said:
You keep missing the point. The stat is clear. 41 yr old veterans get hurt as much or more than younger workers. Period. Are they "skilled"? They would claim to be. While you can work in your silo the rest of the industry has to look at the bigger picture and that includes all the unskilled labor and those who have 10, 20, 30 yrs of repeating their first year.

Yes, an emphatic yes, we need to be doing a better job of training and developing people who venture into the business. That includes PPE and does not suggest that simply throwing it on someone passes as training.
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Absolutely he missed the point, but I do not think he is smart enough to understand that a few climbing and cutting skills does not equate to health and safety, accident prevent, etc.

A huge problem in the tree world is that a few hands on skills, some safety gear and testosterone is generally equated with competence, expertise, and a myriad of other desirable qualities by those that don't understand the bigger picture.
 
erik smith said:
My point is that skill trumps everything
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Skills don't trump everything, attitude does. There are plenty of mad skilled people who have killed or injured themselves or others. That's what has made dangerous industries safer not just improving skills.

It's having respect for the inherent dangers and not fear. And that's it for me.
 
OH, I am so sorry you operate a chainsaw and you are so smart.


I started this thread so why don't you fuck off and keep you insults and wisdom to yourself? Seriously you have never contributed anything useful.
 
Well I only hope that you die on your next job. Again get the fuck off my thread and start one of your own.
 
Actually I am very smart. There is no humor with people like you. Go away as I have said you are not welcome on this thread.
 
Yes Levi, lets continue to promote the idea that because you can climb a tree you are therefore smarter and safer than all other poeple, and if you do happen to climb trees you knowledge and safety levels are based on tree height.

What started as a great thread has degenerated into a few idiots arguing about money and tree climbing as usual.
 
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