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Brush Chipper Safety

Brush chippers are used to shred branches for easy transport and recycling. The chipper uses a series of fast-moving blades to cut up the branches as they are fed through the machine. Chippers can present many safety hazards to workers and preventative measures must be put in place to ensure a safe working environment. Training, using proper techniques, and wearing protective gear can hep to reduce the chance of an accident.

  1. Training

    • Training on appropriate procedures for using the chipper is essential. Review how to use the equipment correctly, potential hazards that could occur and how to handle accidents if they do happen. Bandit Chippers, a producer of brush chippers, offers the example of having a review training each week. That helps to keep procedures fresh in worker's minds and any new information can be introduced.

    Before Work

    • Leave a copy of the manufacturer's instructions with the machine for workers' quick reference. Each work day, a thorough inspection of the machine should be performed before use. Items to watch for include: the condition of the chipper disc and any debris in it; the condition of the engine; that all bolts are secured and haven't worked loose from vibrations; and that all safety guards are in place. The safety check is a key accident-prevention strategy.

    Work Clothing

    • Hard hats should be worn when using a chipper or chipper/shredder.

      Avoid wearing loose, baggy clothing while using the brush chipper. Loose clothing can become easily entangled in the machine or in the branches being fed into it. Tuck in shirts and put up longer hair. Do not wear jewelry or any other objects that hang loose. Hard hats, eye protection, ear plugs and gloves protect the worker from flying debris. They should be worn at all times while using the chipper.

    Feeding Branches

    • Feeding branches into a chipper safely starts with positioning. Workers should place themselves to one side of the chipper chute. Standing to the right or left of the feeder reduces the opportunity for a worker to become entwined in a branch. The branch should be put into the machine with the trunk end first, then the end with spreading limbs. Once the branch is fed into the machine, the worker steps back and allows it go through.

    Other Considerations

    • Having two people work together on the chipper can prevent accidents. If one worker were to become caught and in danger of getting pulled into the chipper, the other could stop the machine. Having an emergency shut-off on the machine can provide another level of worker protection.

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