Another NY Fatality

It wouldn't matter if they did or didn't do the chipping the first day if what they witness is bad practice.
What needs to change is the flippant attitude toward safety and that it somehow impedes productivity. Too often i see and hear from tree guys they do it because they "have to", followed by a rolling of the eyes or a dismissive shrug of the shoulders.
 
Bucknut said:
Tim, there was a very lively discussion about "the two man rule" here a couple years ago. The OP was, shall we say, very in favor of it. The thread and arguments went on forever, until Tom D shut it down. (Can't say I blame him).

Search for Username "Jomoco" and two man rule for chippers. Very thorough discussion with good arguments on both sides.

As an aside, it's a damn shame Jomoco (John) left the forum because of this thread. He was a character.
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Bucknut said:
Here it is.....

http://www.treebuzz.com/forum/threads/whole-tree-chipper-two-man-minimum-rule-adoption.25476/
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Hey, Bucknut! Thanks for the link to the old thread on this subject. It is much appreciated, and I promise to read it all as soon as I get a chance.

Tim
 
"Too many "first day" fatalities lately."

One is too many!!! If we talk about TOO many it means we accept some, rather lets accept none.

As for this poor worker, his family is likely ruined, fellow workers are traumatized, the owner is screwed, and the fire/rescue, police, paramedics and coroner are shaking their heads at one of the worst things they have ever seen.

We don't know if it was rope, leaning, a caught glove, or something else but surely a first day worker should be in orientation not running the chipper.
 
LimbLoppa said:
Too many "first day" fatalities lately. I swear everyone should run a whisper chipper first so they learn to properly fear them.
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Hey, LimbLoppa! Please forgive my ignorance here. Could you describe this "whisper chipper" for me, and explain why the new guys should have to run one of those first?

Thanks in advance for any answers you choose to give.

Tim
 
I think all new guys should have to use the Chipsafe system with a stun gun in each glove that shocks the crap out of them if they reach past the sensor. They would learn really quick what is acceptable and what isn't.

I think reaching much past the hinge on the feed table is an offense that warrants termination. A foot on the feed table definitely warrants it.
 
@TCtreeswinger; Thanks for this answer. Almost makes you wonder how such a machine could legally be released into the marketplace. Now that I think of it though, chainsaws themselves, with their open, unguarded cutting blades, depend on the operator to use them properly and in a safe manner.

Also, thanks @DTS for posting up that great photo. It is much appreciated.

Tim
 
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@TimBr They school you very quickly on the idea of standing to the side of the feed table, toss the brush, and get out of the way, if you have any desire for face preservation. The feed table is often pointy to encourage this behavior also.

 
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TimBr said:
Almost makes you wonder how such a machine could legally be released into the marketplace.
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They were introduced in the 1940's, long before the "litigious society" came along. They were the first alternative to piling the brush on a truck and hauling it away, and must have been an absolute godsend at the time!
 
TimBr said:
Hey, LimbLoppa! Please forgive my ignorance here. Could you describe this "whisper chipper" for me, and explain why the new guys should have to run one of those first?

Thanks in advance for any answers you choose to give.

Tim
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A whisper chipper has no feed wheels before the blades-what you see spinning at the back of the infeed chute IS the drum with the blades on it. You learn real fast not to "feed" the limbs in....you better bump em or throw from a distance. That is, unless you want to dislocate your shoulder. I remember talking to a friend of mine who was inquiring about employment with us- I fed an armload of brush with greenbriar in it......it took the bottom half of my shirt in with it. There I was with half a shirt-my chest and stomach criscrossed with bloody scratches. He suddenly wasn't so intrigued with treework......
 
classictruckman said:
I'd like to know the statistics on the chuck n' duck style chippers, although they seem more dangerous I bet they're much safer than mechanically feed.
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All the OG treemen swear there was less accidents with them and I believe them. I haven't seen the numbers either, but I can attest to the fact that I was waaaayyyyy more careful with one. Just the sound of the drum at full speed would make the hair stand up on my neck! Straight Evil!
 
LimbLoppa said:
A whisper chipper has no feed wheels before the blades-what you see spinning at the back of the infeed chute IS the drum with the blades on it. You learn real fast not to "feed" the limbs in....you better bump em or throw from a distance. That is, unless you want to dislocate your shoulder. I remember talking to a friend of mine who was inquiring about employment with us- I fed an armload of brush with greenbriar in it......it took the bottom half of my shirt in with it. There I was with half a shirt-my chest and stomach criscrossed with bloody scratches. He suddenly wasn't so intrigued with treework......
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Talk about your classic comic timing! LOL! Just as he was asking the question; too funny! Did you yell after him as he was running away as fast as his feet could carry him, "Hey, where're you going?!! "

Tim
 
They are not a machine that you are ever complacent with. There were probably fewer accidents in some respects but they are limited in what you could feed them.
 
That's true, short blocks of wood are not a good idea, I remember as a teenager I was sent out with a guy to drag brush for him to chip. Towards the end of a long day as I was bringing over one of the last piles I saw him pick up a small stub block 4-5" x 5" long, he tossed it in and like a cannon it shot back out and got him right in the crotch, I fell down right where I stood because I was laughing so hard, in fact I probably added a half hour to the job cause I just couldn't stop laughing.

I'm pretty sure that was the last time he did that though.
 
classictruckman said:
That's true, short blocks of wood are not a good idea, I remember as a teenager I was sent out with a guy to drag brush for him to chip. Towards the end of a long day as I was bringing over one of the last piles I saw him pick up a small stub block 4-5" x 5" long, he tossed it in and like a cannon it shot back out and got him right in the crotch, I fell down right where I stood because I was laughing so hard, in fact I probably added a half hour to the job cause I just couldn't stop laughing.

I'm pretty sure that was the last time he did that though.
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Yeah, those were the days.
 
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