Everyone is responsible for their own safety, as well as the safety of others. Speak up if you have questions, concerns, or see something that is unsafe. Stop the work, resolve the problem, and continue safely. Don’t exceed your personal physical or skill limitations. There is no single inch of the trail that merits even one drop of blood from anyone. Safety Training for Volunteers Operational Leadership Concepts Of the 133+ Federal Agencies, the National Park Service consistently has one of the highest injury rates and fatality rates among its employees and volunteers, experiencing Line-of-Duty and On-Duty loss of 86 employees and volunteers in the last 25 years. This does not include suicides. From 2005 to 2010, over 3,800 employees and volunteers were hurt in such manner they were not able to return to work the next day, and for some, many more days. NPS Operational Leadership introduces a new tool within our National Park Service Occupational Safety and Health Program—a tool designed to prevent or mitigate risk associated with human errors when we are faced with threats. Very often it rarely matters what we tell (policies, procedures, rules, regulations, safety program guidelines, etc.) an adult to do, it only matters what that person perceives the situation to be at that final moment when they make a decision, and their personal assessment of risk, the probability of success, and the consequences of failure. NPS Operational Leadership is not a replacement for a safety program. It is a special human factors tool that is part of the National Park Service Safety Management System. NPS Operational Leadership is
Running engine slowly at start of or during cut. Dull or loose chain. Cutting above shoulder height. Inattention in holding or guiding saw while cutting. Do not attempt to operate the saw while in a tree, on a ladder or on any other unstable surface. Be sure of your footing and pre-plan a safe exit from a falling tree or limbs. When cutting a limb that is under tension, be alert for springback so that you or your Swamper(s) will not be struck when the tension is released. Use extreme caution when cutting small size brush and saplings because slender material may catch the saw chain and be whipped toward you or pull you off balance. Vibration – Avoid prolonged operation of your chainsaw and rest periodically, especially if your hand or arm starts to have loss of feeling, swell or become difficult to move. Exhaust fumes – Do not operate your chainsaw in confined or poorly ventilated areas. Observe all local fire prevention regulations. It is recommended that you keep a fire extinguisher and shovel close at hand whenever you cut in areas where dry grass, leaves or other flammable materials are present. Note: Spark arrester screens are available for installation in your muffler, where fire regulations require them. Check local regulations for your special requirements. Turn off your saw when moving between cuts and before setting it down. Always carry the chainsaw with the engine stopped, the guide bar and saw chain in the rear, and the muffler away from your body. Use wedges to help control felling and prevent binding the bar and chain in the cut. Don’t touch or try to stop a moving chain with your hand. Don’t allow any other person or animal close to a running saw or where a tree is being cut down. Don’t touch or let your hand come in contact with a hot muffler, spark arrester or spark plug wire. Don’t run the saw without a muffler, exhaust stack or spark arrester. Keep screens and baffles clean. Keep spark plug caps clean and in good repair. Replace promptly if necessary.