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<p class=MsoNormal><b>Hello Everyone…<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b>The article below brings out some good ChainPoint
considerations. Let me know your comments.<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Good Sawing,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Tim Ard<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Forest Applications Training, Inc.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Phone: 770.222.2511<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>http://www.forestapps.com <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>We have an eStore for items discussed in our
programs... <a href="http://www.forestapps.com/e-book/eStore.htm"
target="_blank">eStore</a> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt'>Boots on the Bottom<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>By Tim Ard Forest
Applications Training, Inc.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Personal Protective Equipment is easy to understand when it
comes to chainsaw operation and safety. Organizations have started to realize
there are huge benefits in employee work safety when they use PPE.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>OSHA has guidelines and regulations that outline the PPE
items for all industry workers. For chainsaws, the OSHA 29 CFR 1910.266 is the
“vertical” standard list of the items for the operator. This
standard is cited and accountable in all industries where chainsaws are used.
Also, the operator’s manual from the chainsaw manufacturer always has a
list of suggested PPE items for any operator of their equipment.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b>Why Foot Coverage?</b> - Well, at the bottom of all those
lists is usually foot protection. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";
color:#757575'>1910.266(d)(1)(v)</span></b><span style='font-size:9.5pt;
font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";
color:black'>The employer shall assure that each employee wears foot
protection, such as heavy-duty logging boots that are waterproof or water
repellent, cover and provide support to the ankle. The employer shall assure
that each employee who operates a chain saw wears foot protection that is
constructed with cut-resistant material which will protect the employee against
contact with a running chain saw. Sharp, calk-soled boots or other
slip-resistant type boots may be worn where the employer demonstrates that they
are necessary for the employee's job, the terrain, the timber type, and the
weather conditions, provided that foot protection otherwise required by this
paragraph is met.</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>The chainsaw protective boot is not required to have a steel
or composite toe for a saw operator. However, it’s pretty hard to find a
chainsaw cut-resistant material boot without the safety toe. I personally
don’t see any reason not to want one. If you watched the episode of
Myth Buster’s on TV you know the issues that people use for excuses not
to wear them are myth.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>There are several overtime tested designs now on the market
that meet the OSHA requirements. There is a standard that is tested and
classified by UL (Underwriters Laboratories) to meet a North American voluntary
foot protection manufacturer’s standard. Some boots are built and
available to that design. More than that, they are available to protect your
feet. As with any PPE, they are not designed to prevent injury (although many
times they do) but are there to reduce injury should an incident occur.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Chainsaw protective boots are available from about $80
to over $400 depending on the style, material and protection options. There are
boots out of all rubber with resistant fibers. There are boots with rubber
bottoms and leather tops with resistant pad layers. There are boots of total
leather uppers with resistant pad layers and also with waterproof materials in
the linings. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>If you notice in the standard they also mention slip
resistant soles. Good traction is a major consideration when selecting a boot
for all weather conditions and terrain navigation. Chalk boots or
“Corks” as they are sometimes called, are really great for the
woods floor and in icy conditions.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b>Who Foots the Cost?</b> - A consideration that probably
is the reason OSHA doesn’t write more citations for neglecting footwear
in chainsaw operation is the specialty of the product and the first line of the
written standard… “<span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";
color:black'>The employer shall assure that each employee wears foot
protection,.” This is a little different than the other regulations
that read, “The employer shall provide, at no cost to the employee, and
assure that each employee who operates a chain saw wears…”
This means the employee is the responsible party for the purchase cost of the
boots. The employer still has to make sure the employee wears and maintains the
required boots to fulfill their obligation to the standard.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";
color:black'>For some occupations that only use saws in emergency situations I
can see the risk may be overcome by the cost versus exposure time. You know
though, cuts to the foot are very easy to accomplish and the more important
traction situation is probably the culprit most of the time in saw cuts.
I’ve said for years that “I believe the majority of cuts come not
as much from the reactive forces of the saw but from our action to its
reaction.” The stance, stability and control of the saw really start at
the bottom!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";
color:black'>Bottom Line - </span></b><span style='font-size:9.5pt;
font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black'>Find a good chain saw resistant
boot and make your sawing potentially more stabilized!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";
color:black'>Chainsaw protective footwear is available from our <a
href="http://www.forestapps.com/chainpoint/chainpointhome.html" target="_blank">ChainPoint
Connections</a>, Gransfors Link and our <a
href="http://www.forestapps.com/e-book/eStore.htm" target="_blank">eStore</a>
at <a href="http://www.forestapps.com">www.forestapps.com</a> .<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";
color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Other Topic Articles are found on our Articles and Info page…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>We still have openings in our March Training Workshop at the
Rugged Quarter in Trussville, Alabama. You can find out more on our website and
also on our FaceBook page.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Have a Blessed Weekend!<o:p></o:p></p>
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