SAW SHOP: 1st Line of Defense

By Greg Helton, Chainsaw & Logging Safety Trainer

Last quarter, in The Saw Shop, we discussed PPE and what is required for a chainsaw operator. I mentioned several times that PPE is our 2nd line of defense. It is in place to protect us when something gets past our 1st line. So, let's talk about that 1st line of defense, everything between our ears. Knowledge and proper training will help us not to test our PPE. Using the training we have received, and the knowledge we have learned will help ensure that we return home at the end of the day. And that is the primary goal.

The US Forest Service Chainsaw Training Program refers to this 1st line of defense as "Situational Awareness/ Individual Complexity." The complexity of the assignment must be determined by the sawyer based on the sawyer's individual skill, knowledge, and understanding of their capabilities and limitations. If the sawyer does not feel comfortable cutting a tree due to the complexity of the risks, the sawyer should make the determination of "GO or NO-GO."

A "NO-GO" tree does not mean the tree cannot be harvested. It may require additional equipment or tools to fall the tree safely. Sometimes additional knowledge of a situation can be very beneficial. Let's look at Situational Awareness, being aware of your surroundings. As one safety consultant said, "Keep your head where your feet are!". This applies to whatever task you perform, from operating a chainsaw to driving a truck. You must be aware of your surroundings. A good sawyer should always stay a step ahead by watching for other employees, equipment working around the area, and even visitors walking into the cutting site/always look for those overhead hazards and dangers around the area. Paying attention to possible reactionary forces that may come from those hazards. "If I cut this limb here, where is it most likely going?" "If this tree hits that tree, where will the throwback be?" By paying attention to the surroundings and asking those questions, the sawyer can plan accordingly to keep themselves in a safe position.

Another part of situational awareness deals with the static factors around the sawyer. Those factors that we have no control over, such as the weather. Is it too windy? How is the wind going to affect the trees I need to cut? How will the rain affect my footing? The heat and the cold are factors that need to be considered as they can affect the sawyer in different ways.

The terrain can be another static factor. How will the slope of the ground affect the lay of the tree? How will it affect my footing? My escape route? Can I get away from the tree when it falls? How has the terrain affected the timber? Awareness of the timber's quality in different types of terrain can assist when making a cutting plan.

Now let's talk about the individual complexity. What is going on inside the sawyer can make a difference

in what comes out of the sawyer. There are many dynamic factors that can affect the sawyer. Is the sawyer focused on the task? Are issues in their personal life affecting their judgment and awareness? A sawyer that is dealing with personal problems may not have their head in the game.

Then there are the physical considerations. What are the sawyer's general health and physical conditioning? Are they on any medication or under the influence? The one that stands out the most to me is fatigue. What time of the day is it? Is the sawyer fatigued? Fatigue can affect good judgment. There is a tendency to take shortcuts when fatigue begins to set in.

Shortcuts can lead to injuries. Make sure to get plenty of rest before starting the day and adequate work/ rest cycles throughout the day. The heat can also cause fatigue. Make sure to drink plenty of water while working in those hot conditions.

In conclusion, use these thoughts as you assess your trees. Take that second to look around and be aware of the static factors around your cutting area. Get plenty of rest! Monitor your fatigue level and rest when needed. Don't take shortcuts. And remember, be professional enough to walk away from an uncomfortable situation and ask for assistance. Trust that "gut feeling" and reassess the task. Sometimes it may just take walking away from a tree one day and looking at it the next. It is always better to walk away from a tree than to be carried away from it.

Use the knowledge and training that you have. Let that 1st line of defense work for you. If you need assistance and want to schedule training for your employees, don't hesitate to contact your Field Representative.

SAW SHOP