Helmets

[skew]

Saw my main competitor today out doing a crane job.( not Gargantua) The guy making the cuts wore no helmet and the two ground crew did. I stopped to talk to ground guys as were have a friendly rapour. I asked what was up with X why wasn't he wearing head pro. Answer came that the owner does not wear one ever when he is on the job and doesn't force any one else to. Owner is ISA Certified and member of ISA, TCIA.
Just strikes me as incredibly arrogant for the owner/crew member to not protect themselve given the amount of info that is out there. As well as they are sort of arrogant with their attitudes of "we are the professionals".
Side note: I personally told these guys of my OSHA woes earlier this year but hey- "It couldn't happen to me", right?

 

[pantheraba]

The first crane job I ever did(shucks, I've only done 2) is why I started wearing a helmet. The first time I saw that big steel ball and hook coming at me and I had to dodge it like Cassius Clay I realized I needed something on my head besides hair.

/forum/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forum/images/graemlins/ahhhhh.gif

Arrogant and idiot both start with vowels.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

If companies like that ever end up getting fined by OSHA or have an accident and have a civil lawsuit the costs will increase. The courts will look at the workplace environment. If the owner promotes an unsafe environment it approaches negligence. The situation is much different if there is an attempt to follow rules.

Too bad, the courts can't bring a life back or heal a wound.

 

[skew]

This morning's paper page 2 shows an Associated Press Pphoto from the front range. Pictured is a tree care "professional" about to attack a downed Silver Maple( good sized) that is lying on a vehicle from recent high winds.
His PPE: Carhart coveralls and a ball cap.
As long as we have idiots like this in business OSHA will keep "self funding" from our coffers. I think it is up to us to pressure these morons to comply.

 

[fattyphatcakes]

I've never understood not wearing a helmet, if for no other reason than bumping your head on a low limb, or the ladder that hangs a foot of the back of the roof of my chip box, or whatever. I manage to bump my head on something most every week, without the helmet that would hurt. /forum/images/graemlins/bangtard.gif My helmet stays on until we're ready to roll.

 

[flinger]

Something I also find disturbing is tree workers who have hearing protection readily available or attached to their hardhats, and will not wear it. The same goes for the screen and /or safety glasses! We had a young guy working for us earlier this Summer who we constantly had to remind of the hazards to his hearing and eyesight...it only takes one tiny piece of flying debris to mess you up for LIFE!
With tree work comes the inherent responsibility for everyones' safety including one's own.

By the way: unanimously all the workers (with grief from him) decided to fine anyone caught not using their PPE accordingly, $5 per incident. His stay with the company was short-lived. What's up with the ignorance when there is so much info on the subject?

 

[Phil]

Accidents, by their very nature occur when you least expect them. That is the deep philosophy I will give you for today. cough*sarcasm*cough But my point is this....you can use safety glasses 1000 times without fail and not have anything come in contact with them....then one day they fog up in a basic tree so you slide them off and go for the last branch...the branch decides to ride the pole straight to your face and you ride the truck to the hospital for stitches....you can't drive becuase you have blood in your face so now the crew is 2 men shy for at least 3-4 hours. (happened but not to me, I was the driver to the doctor)

As for hearing protection....when I'm on the ground I will always wear it....When I am in a tree I feel I need to be able to here whats going on. Especially a compramisable tree. I want to hear the wood crack when a log is going to go and I want to hear the ground guy/s gal/s if something happens. I guess its a comfort issue. I keep a pair around my kneck on the ready, but i will admit, I don't use them unless i need them (tree close to chipper etc.)

Helmet - always
glasses - always
ear plugs - 90% of time
chaps while in the tree - a whole different discussion

 

[Jamin_Mayer]

When climbing I always have a helmet, however, I will admit taking it off while pulling brush and raking. I do it for a silly reason too. I take it off to get sunlight on my forehead! I hate getting a white forehead while working in the summer! /forum/images/graemlins/applaudit.gif

I just can't see myself getting a head injury pulling brush and raking, you know? I think I have more of a chance of getting a head injury wrestling with my 3 boys then pulling brush and raking./forum/images/graemlins/parry.gif


Would OSHA have a problem with that? Anyone know?

 

[skew]

It was a kid raking on my job near the chipper that attracted osha inspectors attention when I got cited. And then they made up a bunch of stuff that was up to me to dispute.