Pictures and Safety

T

TMW

Location
OH
I have seen some pictures of amazing tree work being posted here, only to be marred by the lack of basic PPE.

A quick list of the common things I have seen lately...

PPE
-No safety glasses
-No, or improper chaps
-No helmet
-Improper footwear
-No Hi visibility apparel when needed

PPE is the last line of defense, but it is the easiest thing to get right.

Think about the message that these pictures can send. All you need to do is look at the news after a storm and see all kinds of unsafe practices.

I think that we, as professionals, need to present the most professional image that we can. To me, this means that we need to be safe and promote safety at all times, especially when there are cameras around.

We have been working with the companies who advertise in the trade magazines trying to get them to stop showing unsafe practices and lack of PPE. They are coming around, now it is time for the rest of us to work harder at this as well.

I have offered to review pictures before people use them in advertisements or on their websites, for free. Only a few people have taken me up on this. The offer still stands.
 
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PPE is the last line of defense, but it is the easiest thing to get right.


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We rely on our common sense to keep us safe. The ppe works when our our conmmon sense fails too predict an unpredictable situation.

Joe
 
It's common sense to wear basic safety equipment... and customers love to see it. You'll get more neighborhood upsells if your crew is dressed out safely... common sense.
 
And SHIRTS! Don't forget to wear SHIRTS!


<font color="green">The TreeHouse</font>
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Footwear other than work boots. There have been a few photo's of people using chain saws while wearing running shoes.

Chaps that end just below the knee are not acceptable. They should cover to the boots.
 
Sue has switched to steel toed sneakers while operating the crane for better comfort. I'm not sure how that would fit in the standards but my son's grandfather(mothers side) got failed on his NY crane Cert test for wearing sneakers. I have to wear prescription safety glasses but I have noticed in a LOT of the pictures I have it appears I am not wearing safety glasses. On my website I have a photo from the late '80's of me cutting a large elm with no chaps, I like the picture and included it,not sure what the Z required back then as I was unaware of the Z at that time.
 
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Footwear other than work boots. There have been a few photo's of people using chain saws while wearing running shoes.


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Running shoes are no good on the job. Sent many a guy home when they show up wearing those.

[quote
Chaps that end just below the knee are not acceptable. They should cover to the boots.

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Matter of opinion. Most saw chaps sold (check the Stihl &amp; Husky web sites for examples), do not go all the way down to your boots, but stop just past the knee.

To advocate a higher standard of safety on the job site is commendable, but to promote a higher standard for the industry based on your own personal ideas of what is safe, or not, is not constructive.

I am happy when I see a person making ANY attempt to think about safety by wearing PPE and being serious about their job safety.
I will not complain to them about the specific model of chain saw protective pants.
 
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Sue has switched to steel toed sneakers while operating the crane for better comfort.

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Keith, my wife Heide did the same thing last year for working the ground on tree jobs with me. She tried boots but didn't like them.

She loves the sneakers.
 
I believe that the intent for proper footwear stems from the logging standard:

1910.266(d)(1)(v)
The employer shall assure that each employee wears foot protection, such as heavy-duty logging boots that are waterproof or water repellent, cover and provide support to the ankle.

The key, to me, is that the footwear is heavy duty and provides support and protection to the ankle.

I work in everything from the Husky Logger's boot to a variety of hiking boots. All of which are appropriate in as much as they provide support and protection for the ankles, have non-slip soles, and are durable, if not heavy duty.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
PPE is the last line of defense, but it is the easiest thing to get right.


[/ QUOTE ]

We rely on our common sense to keep us safe. The ppe works when our our conmmon sense fails too predict an unpredictable situation.

[/ QUOTE ]

Last year, the last time I renewed my MUST fall protection training, they had an interesting concept that I had not heard before. It went something like this:
Your "primary" fall protection is your sense of balance and choices on stable footing, etc.
Your "secondary" fall protection is the hardware that protects you in the case of a fall.
 
I 'walked' a chain saw across the top of my boot once. Thank goodness I had on proper boots.

The running shoe thing is tempting, and I understand why folks like to wear them. However, when using chain saws, or even being next to someone who is using a chain saw, is very dangerous. Running shoes will not even slow down a saw chain.
 
Our company policy requires that anyone working within 10 feet of a chain saw operator wears the same PPE as the operator. Which includes, of course, chain saw leg protection.
 
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Common sense is the practical application of everything we know.


-Jim Sebesta

Joe,

I don't agree with your conclusions.

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O.K., I respect this response, but, I don't understand why.
Do you have a few minutes to elaborate on why you disagree with my conclusion?

( Tim, jump in if you see something.)

Joe
 
Joe,

Tim and Tom have all the safety criteria in their arsenal,,, that has ever been written from any safety institution that has ever written a safety rule.

You can not beat them at their game.

And for good reason. Safety rules are meant to protect us all.

I stand whole heartedly behind the use of PPE. Where it's needed.

And while exceptions may be cited, it's always best to stick to the rules.

Though don't believe I don't have my gripes with it sometimes.
 
I'm not sold on the running shoe thing. I am sure we could come up with a list of "Work boots" that would be considered appropriate but offer no more chainsaw protection than a pair of running shoes.

Ankle support does not come from having high top boots. Ankle support comes from the sole. Are your feet resting on a sturdy platform, or a soft one?

As I understand it, and I might be wrong, but ANSI doesn't say that we shall use chainsaw protective boots when using a saw, right?

love
nick
 
Gerry( if you don't mind me calling you Gerry); my response does not dispute the use of ppe and it's importance in our industry. I'm stating our common sense is our 1st line of defense. An example will be to get out of the way of a hazard or to see a situation for what it is and deal with it appropriately( which relys on experience more than anything. My comment does not mean approach a job or task without ppe. I'm with you when it comes to wearing ppe.

I learn from these guys and I follow their train of thoughts when it comes to safety and ppe. I'm not knocking them.

Joe
 
Nick,

ANSI does not require chain saw protection in the footwear. OSHA does for the logging standard...which they are now trying to force on us.

Part of the ankle issue is protection as well as support. In my mind, any shoe that exposes the ankle bone is not appropriate for tree work. Some competition climbers use these, but then again, competition isn't production and the rules aren't the same.

Joe,

I think I got your point about common sense. I did not take offense at your comments.

TMW

PS I am off to St. Louis tomorrow for the EHAP Train the Trainer Workshop...and whatever other trouble I can get myself into.
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