Alone & Dangerous

• A chain saw can create 50 stitches or subtract a toe in less than a second.  
• A widow maker looms in every hemlock tree.    
• The band sawmill can take a limb before your realize its gone.   
• A 2000 lb. log can crush a hand or your back with one slip of the chain.  
• A runaway tractor that mistakenly slipped into gear and into into your path.
• A power takeoff  shaft that rolls your shirt like an alligator. 
• A snapped cable whips through flesh like a scalpel. 

A class in these subjects would be silent.   A lot of note taking and careful observations.  I think a few hands may be raised.   When you become responsible for your own security and a mistake is your life or limb, you pay attention.    Every operation of tree to mill to lumber requires careful thought, patience, and constant attention to safety.  

This year alone I almost cut off my toe when I decided a quick chainsaw operation did not need my steel toe boots.    Last year I managed to cut a 14 inch gash in my pants without scratching the skin.   I have to remind myself of basic rules of logging & the sawyer. 

1. Scan the tree for widow makers
2. Remove all brush and fodder around the base of the tree 
3. Plan an escape route when the tree falls in the right direction
4. Plan an escape route when the tree falls in the wrong direction
5. Scan the felled tree for tension, potential movement, stability
6. Remove the brush as you go and keep cutting area clean
7. Securely fasten all chokers and chains for minimal movement
8. Carefully get on and off tractor to avoid unwanted actions
1. Slips into gear
2. Breaks let go
3. Accidentally moving the hydraulic lever 
9. Keep the tractor level while lift logs with bucket
10. Keep the tractor level while moving logs with bucket
11. Log tender never lets limbs or body get under log or between equipment
12. Place in gear after delivering log and stopping tractor
13. Securely fasten log to saw bed 
14. Have an all clear message and visual before engaging sawmill 
15. Disengage sawmill when doing anything but sawing 
16. Have an all clear message to re-work log on sawmill after disengaging 
17. Never conduct any work but sawing while blade is engaged
18. Keep your equipment sharp, lubricated, and in good working order
19. Stay hydrated, awake, and visually alert 
20. Have a cell phone handy at all times and within reach

Not paying attention to any one of the above rules can and will kill you.   I think of the skidder operator who had a wedged log being winched by a cable.   Instead of taking the tension off the cable before exiting the skidder, he jumped off the skidder and started following the cable to the log.   The tension on the cable caused it to snap and took his foot off.   Tension on a cable looks like hot glass: you cannot recognize it visually.   He managed to get a tourniquet on his leg, stop the bleeding and back on the skidder.   He body was found the next day with his skidder stuck in the mud.  

Attention to safety, detail, and careful planning would have avoided this death.  

1. Reduce the tension on the cable then get off
2. Have a cell phone handy at all times 
3. Weigh the value of going through a muddy bog when failure is death