SAW SHOP PPE: 2nd Line of Defense! By Greg Helton, Chainsaw & Logging Safety Trainer With this being my first article in “The Saw Shop,” I thought it might be good to talk about PPE, Personal Protective Equipment.
When discussing PPE, I always try to point out that it is our 2nd line of defense. I mean by “line of defense” that it should be secondary to providing protection as we operate our chainsaws. Our 1st line of defense is between our ears. PPE is critically important (and required), but we should not depend on it as our only protection. I have confidence in the PPE I wear, but I don’t want to test it out on myself. Proper training and practicing good saw habits will help reduce the risk of testing my PPE. So, let’s talk about what PPE is required while we operate our chainsaws. I like to go from head to toe:
HARD HAT – Anywhere there is an overhead hazard, a hard hat must be worn. Felling timber or topping are jobs that require hard hats. Make sure your hard hat is in good shape. UV rays from the sun can break down the plastic over time. Occasionally, do the stress test on your hard hat. Squeeze it from the sides and listen for any crackling. Look for any white lines that appear when you test it. Make sure the suspension is in good shape, with no broken straps or plastic. Remember, the space between the suspension and the hard hat is not a storage compartment. It is designed to absorb an impact.
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FMIC 3rd QUARTER 2022
EAR PROTECTION – “Huh!” That is the usual response I get when talking about hearing protection. If you are exposed to 85 decibels or more in an 8-hour shift, you must have hearing protection. The average noise level of a chainsaw is between 106 and 120 decibels. Earplugs or earmuffs work great. Protecting your hearing now is something you will see the benefit from later.
EYE PROTECTION – Since 2013, FMIC has required all chainsaw operators to wear safety glasses. Before 2013, we saw an average of 18 claims per year relating to chainsaws and eyes. Since 2013 the average has dropped to 3 per year. That is a pretty good impact. Speaking of impact, make sure the glasses you wear are impact resistant. They should have “Z-87” somewhere on the frame.
