Safe Trail Work

Keys to productive, safe, trail work are sharp tools, proper tool use, team work, and awareness of hazards. Such knowledge cannot come from a manual. Ask experienced crew members for help. Work as a team. Watch for hazards to other crew members. Alert each other to unsafe tools and hazards. Productive, safe crews depend on each member being alert, informed, and caring.

There are general safety rules to observe when using handtools. Survey the environmental hazards surrounding each task and use proper personal protective devices like hardhats, gloves, and safety glasses. Select the right tools for the job. Carefully inspect their condition before you use them. Make sure handles are sound, smooth, and straight; heads are tight; and cutting edges are sharp.

Avoid transporting tools loose in vehicles. Use tool boxes. Place tools in sheaths, especially if they have sharp cutting edges. Load and unload tools with care. Always use gloves. Pass tools so others avoid grasping a cutting edge. Never throw a tool.

Be aware of nearby workers. On the trail, carry tools by holding them at your side and downhill, with blades forward and the handles behind. If you should slip, drop the tool to the side to prevent falling on the blade. Designate a central drop point for tools near the worksite so tools are less likely to be lost. Mark handles with a small strip of bright orange paint for easy visibility.

You need training to use a crosscut saw. Your training, experience and—in some cases—level of certification, can allow you to buck trees already on the ground or to undertake the more advanced (and hazardous) business of felling standing trees. Be sure you are properly trained and certified before cutting either standing or fallen trees. Remember that using an ax exposes you to similar hazards.

At day's end, identify tools that need maintenance and schedule time for repairing or replacing tools. In the field, store tools safely and out of the weather.