Southern
Research Station

• Authors: Garland, John J.; Rummer, Robert
• Publication Year: 2009
• Publication Series: Paper (invited, offered, keynote)
• Source: In: Proceedings of 2009 COFE: Environmentally Sound Forest Operations 32nd annual meeting of the council of forest engineering, June 15-18, 2009

Abstract

Improved rotating cutting devices (teeth on a disk/drum or cutters on a chain) for forest operations have produced hazards for operators and others from thrown objects. Anecdotes and actual incidents show fatalities and serious injuries are possible and likely under certain circumstances. Some mechanisms for thrown objects are clear (thrown cutting teeth) while others are less obvious and need explanation (chain shot, thrown spears and stubs). Research on thrown objects and protective materials provides insights on the problems. Resolutions to the problems come from improved guarding, protecting operators and others, and changing operating practices. The effectiveness of a specific no-entry force field around the machine is questioned. Safety standards at the state, national, and international levels address the issues. Authors discuss implications for anyone working in the vicinity of cutting machines.

• Citation: Garland, John J.; Rummer, Robert 2009. Understanding the hazards of thrown objects: Incidents, research and resolutions. In: Proceedings of 2009 COFE: Environmentally Sound Forest Operations. 32nd Annual Meeting of the Council on Forest Engineering. Lake Tahoe, CA. June 15 - 18, 2009. 10p.
• Keywords: Forest operations, machine safety, hazards, thrown objects
• Posted Date: February 28, 2018
• Modified Date: March 1, 2018

Print Publications Are No Longer Available

In an ongoing effort to be fiscally responsible, the Southern Research Station (SRS) will no longer produce and distribute hard copies of our publications. Many SRS publications are available at cost via the Government Printing Office (GPO). Electronic versions of publications may be downloaded, printed, and distributed.

Publication Notes

• This article was written and prepared by U.S. Government employees on official time, and is therefore in the public domain.
• Our online publications are scanned and captured using Adobe Acrobat. During the capture process some typographical errors may occur. Please contact the SRS webmaster if you notice any errors which make this publication unusable.
• To view this article, download the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader.