13. Clear your work area and your escape path of brush, vines, and other hazards that can trip you or catch your saw.
14. Escape from the bullseye when the tree tips. 90% of accidents happen within 12 feet of the stump. Go more than 15 feet, and stay out of the bullseye until things stop falling.
15. Keep spectators away more than twice the height of the tree in the direction it will fall.
16. Don't cut alone.
17. Keep your body and the swamper's out of the line of the bar in case of a kickback.
18. Set the brake when taking over two steps or when moving through tripping hazards. Keep your trigger finger off of the throttle when you are moving.
19. DO NOT operate a chainsaw from a ladder! Operating with your feet off the ground requires special training.
20. Do not cut above your shoulders.
21. Springpoles must be shaved on the inside of the apex between the ascending and descending sides. If the apex is higher than you shoulders, stand under the springpole and cut it low on the descending side. It will release upward, away from you.Leaning and heavily loaded poles that are too small to bore cut for a hinge should be shaved on the compressed side until they fold.
22. Do not cut a tree that is holding up a lodged tree. Do not work under a lodged tree. Think about a mouse trying to steal the cheese out of a trap.
23. Instruct your swampers and helpers to NEVER approach you from behind or the sides to within the reach of your saw when you are cutting. If you pull out of a cut with the chain running, or have a severe kickback, the swamper can be killed if he is coming up behind you!
24!! Quit When You Are Tired!
2 comments:
There was a home like that near here. The small city had grown up to his fence line. That is why there was a 3 story office overlooking his front yard.
I happened to be at a meeting on the day the old timer decided to post a yard sale. There I sat behind the big window watching his preparations. I had met the man before; he was a retired rancher and as expected had a wide assortment of smithy, machinist, woodworking tools. He welcomed to show me around but wouldn't agree to sell.
Until this day. The man moved surprisingly fast. Before I knew it, he had about turned his various sheds inside out. Finally I couldn't stand it anymore so I excused myself from the meeting. Several asked what's egging me. I pointed their attention out the window. There, thats what!
Already a crowd of buyers were milling about. Mostly men so I feared I be quick. One other man in the office came to the sale too. For an hour or two time and the bustle of life had stopped. I got a bunch of socket chisels and various wood planes which are rare today.
Perfect timing! I'm glad you were there when it happened!
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