Use Caution with Wood Chippers

Wood chippers are a popular tool for removing tree limbs and branches but they can also be very dangerous.  Rabun County Assistant Fire Chief Justin Upchurch offers this safety advice when using a wood chipper.  “Wood chippers are pretty dangerous and great when used properly but can be dangerous when not.  So, always wear the right safety gear like eye and hearing protection and close-fitting clothing.  Make sure there is nothing that could get pulled into the chipper as you are feeding it.  Know your machine, read the operating manual, know where the safety controls are, know how to start it up and shut it down, and know what to do in case of an emergency.  Check all the guards and make sure they are in place and operating correctly.  Always point your discharge chute away from people and traffic.  If you have one that has an emergency shutoff it helps to have someone near the emergency shutoff at all times in case of an accident.  Check the tree debris before feeding it into the chipper to make sure it doesn’t contain metal or nails.  Limit the size, know the capability of your machine, know what sizes are appropriate, and don’t try to put something into it that is oversized.”  Please follow this safety advice about wood chippers from the Rabun County Fire Department.