My name is Ed Carpenter. I've been a
professional arborist for 23 years. I'm
President, Owner and Lead Instructor with
North American Training Solutions. I have
a passion for helping this industry. I
like trees. I like people. But I love tree
people. Safety is and should be the
number one priority of every tree care
operation. This includes proper jobsite
setup for brush chipper operations.
It starts with traffic management for
curbside feeding. Be sure cones and signs
are placed around the equipment. Crew
members should also wear high visibility
reflective vests or shirts. Set the
chipper up away from the drop zone so no
workers are underneath operations.
Next, inspect and stage the brush away
from the approach. If the chipper remains
connected to the aerial lift or other
towed vehicle that could contact
overhead conductors, workers on the
ground must stay outside their minimum
approach distance, or designated distance,
until the electrical hazard is either
isolated or the operator loft signals
it's safe to enter the area. Constantly
inspect for ropes or vines that could
entangle the operator, causing injury or
death. Always look for contaminants that
could damage the chipper or become
dangerous projectiles. Keep the approach
clear of these hazards throughout
operation and stop to address these
issues if they arise. Following these
safety tips will help to lead to safe
and productive chipping. For more
information on safe jobsite setup,
consult your owner's manual. Thank you for taking the time to watch these videos.
Remember, safety is everybody's
responsibility, and there's no tree worth
anybody's life.
