31.D Brush Removal and Chipping.
31.D.01 Brush and logs must not be allowed to create a hazard at the work site.
Removing and chipping brush, limbs, and logs helps to remove dangerous hazards.
31.D.02 Employees working with a brush chipper must be trained in its safe operation. The chipper must be operated in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.
31.D.03 Brush chippers.
- Rotary drum and disk-type tree or brush chippers not equipped with a mechanical in-feed system must be equipped with an in-feed hopper not less than 85 in (2.2 m) (the sum of the horizontal distance from the chipper blade out along the center of the chute to the end of the chute and the vertical distance from the chute down to the ground).
Chipper Fatality - WorkSafeBC
- Rotary drum and disk-type tree or brush chippers not equipped with a mechanical in-feed system must have a flexible anti-kickback device installed in the in-feed hopper for the purpose of protecting the operator and other persons in the machine area from the hazards of flying chips and debris.
- Disk-type tree or brush chippers equipped with a mechanical in-feed system must have a quick stop and reversing device on the in-feed. The activating mechanism for the quick stop and reversing device must be located across from the top, along each side of, and as close as possible to the feed end of the in-feed hopper and within easy reach of the operator.
- The feed chute or feed table of a chipper must have sufficient height on its side members to prevent operator contact with the blades or knives during normal operation.
- Bush chippers must be equipped with a discharge chute of sufficient length or design to prevent contact with the blade.
- Brush chippers must be equipped with a locking device on the ignition system to prevent unauthorized starting of the equipment.
- Brush chipper cutting bars and blades must be kept sharp, properly adjusted, and otherwise maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.
- Trailer brush chippers detached from trucks must be chocked or otherwise secured.
- All workers feeding brush into chippers must wear eye protection. Loose clothing, gauntlet-type gloves, rings, and watches must not be worn by workers feeding the chipper.
- Employees must never place hands, arms, feet, legs, or any other part of the body on the feed table when the chipper is in operation or the rotor is turning. Push-sticks (of material that can be consumed by brush chipper) or long branches must be used to feed shorter material into the chipper.
- Brush chippers must be fed from the side of the centerline, and the operator must immediately turn away from the feed table when the brush is taken into the rotor. Chippers must be fed from the curbside whenever possible.
- Material such as stones, nails, sweepings, etc. must not be fed into brush chippers.
- The brush chipper discharge chute or cutter housing cover must not be raised or removed while any part of the chipper is turning or moving.
For more information on safe practices while working with chippers, see OSHA's "Hazards of Wood Chippers" page.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
31-8. What are workers allowed to do when working with chippers?
You forgot to answer the question!