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Sawmill work is one of the most dangerous professions in the country. There are constant dangers present and if you are not a safe worker it is easy to get injured. Proper training and common sense are important when working in a sawmill. Knowing how to work safely and prevent accidents from occurring will keep you healthy and alive for a long time. Sawmill safety is more important now than ever. Just a few months ago a young man Thomas Pelton was killed while working in a sawmill. There is no need for more unnecessary deaths in the workplace. Hopefully these sawmill employee safety tips will help you remember to work safe.
Common OSHA Violations In Sawmills
Unfortunately sawmills are not the safest places to work. That is why it is necessary to make sure you are always paying attention and working as safely as possible. OSHA often fines many sawmills for the same violations. This is sad because one would think that after a place has been fined for a violation it would be repaired and never occur again. Below is a list of common violations and sawmill safety tips to help you avoid them.
1.Control of hazardous energy
2.Lockout Tagout
3.Mechanical power transmission apparatus
4.General requirements for machines
5.Woodworking Machinery
6.Electrical, wiring methods, components and equipment
7.Hazardous communications
8.Guarding floor and wall openings or holes
9.Powered industrial trucks
10.Abrasive wheel machinery
11.Noise exposure
Sawmill Safety Tips
This section will deal with sawmill employee safety the tips and information given here will help you to remain safe while working in a dangerous situation. Thinking about and promoting safety while working will keep you and those around you from harm.
Driving safety many jobs in the sawmill require you to operate a truck. First and foremost the person operating it must be licensed to do so. They should also be trained in how to correctly drive and operate all of the trucks equipment. Safety begins before you even begin to drive. Make sure that the horn is working. This may be the only way you have to signal someone that is outside of the truck. Check the brakes to insure they are fully functional and have no problems. All of the lights on the outside of the truck should be working and bright enough to be seen in the dark.
Once you are sure the truck is in good condition you can begin your task but don’t forget you still need to think about safety. When you are unloading the logs you should never release the binders from the logs prior to securing them with unloading lines. Once the logs have been unloaded safely they should be arranged and stacked properly. Keeping the logs stacked neatly and in order will help reduce accidents.
Saw safety of course working with or near a saw is going to be a large part of your job. Making sure you are safe while working with a saw is another job altogether. Swing saws are commonly used to cut large logs. Each cutoff saw should be located away form the enterances and exits of the building they should also having guarding around them to prevent slips and trips. When the saw partially blocks the log haul ranway entrance there should be a guard in front of the entrance.
Walkways and Stairs are all over sawmills so safety while working on them should be a priority. Any platforn or walkway that is more than four feet off of the ground is required by law to have guard rails. While any over six feet also require a toe board. Stairways should be able to support atleast five times the weight of the intended load or a minimum of 1000 pounds. Staircases should be twenty two inches wide or more if necessary. They should go on a thirt to fifty degree angle and each stair should be no less the width and thirty inches in length. Railings are required for four or more risers and there must be a clearance of seven feet or more overhead.
Debarking can be dangerous due to the chances of flying wood chips or bark. All debarking areas should be clearly marked to let other employees know they are entering the area. This will give them the chance to put on the correct safety gear. There should also be signs that prohibit any person that is not authorized from entering the area. When operating the debarker you must wear safety goggles on your eyes. Holddown rolls should be installed at the infeed and outfeed sections to control the movement of the logs.
These are just a few ways you can stay safe while working in a sawmill. By following these sawmill employee safety tips you are sure to be happy and healthy for many more years.
Common OSHA Violations In Sawmills
Unfortunately sawmills are not the safest places to work. That is why it is necessary to make sure you are always paying attention and working as safely as possible. OSHA often fines many sawmills for the same violations. This is sad because one would think that after a place has been fined for a violation it would be repaired and never occur again. Below is a list of common violations and sawmill safety tips to help you avoid them.
1.Control of hazardous energy
2.Lockout Tagout
3.Mechanical power transmission apparatus
4.General requirements for machines
5.Woodworking Machinery
6.Electrical, wiring methods, components and equipment
7.Hazardous communications
8.Guarding floor and wall openings or holes
9.Powered industrial trucks
10.Abrasive wheel machinery
11.Noise exposure
Sawmill Safety Tips
This section will deal with sawmill employee safety the tips and information given here will help you to remain safe while working in a dangerous situation. Thinking about and promoting safety while working will keep you and those around you from harm.
Driving safety many jobs in the sawmill require you to operate a truck. First and foremost the person operating it must be licensed to do so. They should also be trained in how to correctly drive and operate all of the trucks equipment. Safety begins before you even begin to drive. Make sure that the horn is working. This may be the only way you have to signal someone that is outside of the truck. Check the brakes to insure they are fully functional and have no problems. All of the lights on the outside of the truck should be working and bright enough to be seen in the dark.
Once you are sure the truck is in good condition you can begin your task but don’t forget you still need to think about safety. When you are unloading the logs you should never release the binders from the logs prior to securing them with unloading lines. Once the logs have been unloaded safely they should be arranged and stacked properly. Keeping the logs stacked neatly and in order will help reduce accidents.
Saw safety of course working with or near a saw is going to be a large part of your job. Making sure you are safe while working with a saw is another job altogether. Swing saws are commonly used to cut large logs. Each cutoff saw should be located away form the enterances and exits of the building they should also having guarding around them to prevent slips and trips. When the saw partially blocks the log haul ranway entrance there should be a guard in front of the entrance.
Walkways and Stairs are all over sawmills so safety while working on them should be a priority. Any platforn or walkway that is more than four feet off of the ground is required by law to have guard rails. While any over six feet also require a toe board. Stairways should be able to support atleast five times the weight of the intended load or a minimum of 1000 pounds. Staircases should be twenty two inches wide or more if necessary. They should go on a thirt to fifty degree angle and each stair should be no less the width and thirty inches in length. Railings are required for four or more risers and there must be a clearance of seven feet or more overhead.
Debarking can be dangerous due to the chances of flying wood chips or bark. All debarking areas should be clearly marked to let other employees know they are entering the area. This will give them the chance to put on the correct safety gear. There should also be signs that prohibit any person that is not authorized from entering the area. When operating the debarker you must wear safety goggles on your eyes. Holddown rolls should be installed at the infeed and outfeed sections to control the movement of the logs.
These are just a few ways you can stay safe while working in a sawmill. By following these sawmill employee safety tips you are sure to be happy and healthy for many more years.
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References
http://workplacesafetyexperts.com/workplace-safety ... tips/
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