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Wood Chipper Safety Issues

Wood chippers should never be operated by people lacking proper safety training. Chippers can speed the the cleanup of downed limbs or storm damage, but they are also very dangerous. Wood chippers must be equipped with a number of specific safety features, and operators should be constantly aware of hazards. Using a wood chipper incorrectly can lead to serious injury or even death.

  1. Safety Features

    • Wood chipper blades spin at 1,000 to 2,000 revolutions per minute, and the machine should be equipped with a mechanical-feed control bar. The bar activates the chipper's rollers when it is pulled and, according to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, should include quick-stop and reverse-feed controls. Wood chippers must also feature a bottom-feed stop bar and panic bar that prevents an operator from being pulled into the blades. Rubber flaps should cover the in-feed chute, and a hood should cover the chipper's discharge spout.

    Safety Training

    • Training in the operation of a wood chipper is mandatory if a person is working in a commercial logging operation, accord to OSHA regulations. Anyone operating a wood chipper should be educated in starting and stopping procedures, maintenance and emergency safety controls.

    Personal Safety Tips

    • Wear close-fitting clothing without cuffs when operating a wood chipper. Never wear jewelry, and avoid sticking your hands or feet in the machine's hopper or feeding mechanism. Avoid tripping and falling into the machinery by keeping the area around the chipper clear of debris. Feed limbs into the chipper large-end first and lay small branches on top of large branches. Push branches into the wood chipper with a long limb or stick.

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