chainsaw chaps as a snagging hazard

Caballos

Caballos

Location
Charlotte, NC.
Hello,
My name is Tobias Wygand, I live in Charlotte, NC. and work for Heartwood Tree Service. I've worked in this industry for just over one year.
Now, that being said, I have a question. This may not be the correct forum and, there very well may be a thread about this already, I'm sure you'll let me know. The question is...Are chainsaw chaps appropriate to wear while chipping, or not? Here is an actual scenario, three man crew plus a crane operator, removing a large willow oak. There consists of the climber, the rigger (spider legs), and the chainsaw operator/chipper operator. The rigger can chip if they take off their saddle, of course. But, that's not always how it goes. The pick comes down, it is either attached to the winch on the chipper or laid near by for access to the chipper. At this point the piece is untied and cut to be easier to chip, then the the ball is raised, the rigger is ties in...repeat. The chainsaw operator/chipper operator is now responsible to clear the brush, which means chipper running with chaps on at some point, even if it's only for a blip (that's all it takes). So what do you think? What is your protocol? Or, is it ok?
 
If you run a saw everyday, invest in chainsaw pants. They are well worth the price for the safety, comfort, and versatility. Plus, I think they are not as hot since you only have one pair of pants on instead of pants, plus the chaps layer...
 
Sounds like a pretty typical productivity vs. safety issue. The solution to both sides of the story, productivity and safety is the pants.

They also look very cool. (Unless you are wearing the leather chaps commando style...)
blush.gif
 
Tobias,

If you do take this to a Safety Meeting, you should be prepared to demonstrate just how chaps are unsafe.

If chaps are unsafe, what about belt loops, do belt loops present a snagging hazard, are belt loops unsafe? What about suspenders? What about pockets as a snag hazard, do you need pockets that zip shut?

Ok great. You need chainsaw pants that have no belt loops, no suspenders and pockets that zip shut. (Laughter).

Not trying to be a big dillweed here, just trying to present some realities.

You should also be prepared to demonstrate that accidents involving a chipper and chaps have indeed occurred. Unless there is one in your company's history, you won't find one, take it from me.

Northwind
 
Agreed - overthinking.

Chaps are better than no chaps, and like NWind asked, have there ever been documented injuries because of chaps being worn? Chipper or not.

I definitely don't wear mine all day, take them off when not cutting, and don't wear them in the bucket. When I climb, I wear them - because I will be cutting if I'm climbing.

Chipping? Yes I wear them especially in the summer, because shorts + chipper = skinned knees (unless wearing chaps)
 
Northwind,
You are right about not finding the accidents, I haven't found one. I thought maybe some of you here would know of some, that doesn't seem to be the case. Also I was asked to bring this topic to the meeting and, what I will demonstrate is how we can be as safe as possible. As you probably know the one with the least experience is probably dragging brush and maybe even operating the saw on the ground anything I can do to bring safe behavior while working with a chipper is the objective....This started because I asked if gauntlet style gloves are a hazard wouldn't chaps be? I was asked to find out and present it.
You also left shoe laces off the list of hazards.
 
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Chipping? Yes I wear them especially in the summer, because shorts + chipper = skinned knees (unless wearing chaps)

[/ QUOTE ]

I was trained shorts are inappropriate work wear.
 
Don't forget watches and rings. I'm not sure if Dr. Ball's research would tell you anything, but I do know that chaps won't protect you from a chipper.
 
If the saw operator did the cutting while the limbs were stationary there is a case that could be made for wearing chaps.

But...if the sawyer then moves in and starts wrangling the brush into the chipper I would not want them to wear chaps. Too likely to get snagged. Same goes for any other snaggers like gauntlet gloves, holes in pants and floppy clothing.

Loggers cut the bottom seams off their pants so that stubs don't catch on the material. If they fall the snag is more likely to rip out to the bottom of the pants.

At the end of the day I think a sawyer/brush wrangler will be cooler wearing decent saw pants with gym shorts underneath rather than chaps over street pants. Safer too.

You might not be able to make a solid case for shifting to saw pants but you can make a case for incremental changes. When faced with a non-regulated safety issue I always ask, 'Why wouldn't I make this change?' Some changes are awkward and expensive for very little gain in safety, others are easy and cheap. Ask 'Why?' then discuss openly.
 
Hey Tom,
Great points. Although not specificaly addressed in regulations, do you think this would be covered by the General Duty Clause?
 
"I was trained shorts are inappropriate work wear. "

Can you reason this out? Why?

Cutting without chaps isn't allowed when we're talking chainsaws. Jeans are not going to stop or even help when a chainsaw goes after a leg. If anything, shorts with chaps make me even safer. I can see my leg, no false sense of confidence.

Not trying to derail, just think it's an interesting topic.
 
It's common practice to wear chaps while chipping. Is there a documented incident of someone wearing chaps being snagged while chipping?
What about helmet chinstraps, shoe laces, button shirts and jackets, belt loops. They all can get snagged as well.
Someone come up with 'break-a-way' buckles for the chap snaps.
 
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